Page 29 of Dirty Big Sins

He blinked and then looked slowly around the room. “Cooking.”

“I can see that.” I refrained from calling him a moron, but just barely. “Why are you cooking in my kitchen in the middle of the night?”

“I like cooking at night when I’m alone with no one underfoot.”

That sounded like something I would have said and it just pissed me off more. “But this is my kitchen and I haven’t given you permission.” Okay maybe that sounded a little childish, but fuck all. I needed this imposter out of here as soon as possible.”

“You’re Zia, right?” He wiped his hands on his apron and walked forward. “It’s good to finally meet you. I was told we’d be working together.”

“You can call me Chef.” I didn’t care how petty I sounded. This was still my kitchen and until it wasn’t, there would be protocols. Well run kitchens didn’t just happen without them. Not that this guy was staying. My staff would be hand chosen by me. “And I don’t know what is going on here, but I didn’t hire you and all kitchen employees have to be approved by me.”

To soften the blow of being fired, I did shake his hand briefly before I wandered past him and over to the stove. I had to admit the sauce he was creating smelled delicious. I inhaled slowly and let the ingredients and seasonings filter their way through my mind as I cataloged each one.

“The studio hired me. I understand you’ve been under the weather and they wanted to see filming progress while you were unavailable.”

My back stiffened at the undertone of snark in every word he uttered. That was definitely not my imagination. “That’s great. However, I’m back now and I’m afraid your services won’t be needed. We run a small show and we keep the staff tight. I’m sure you understand.”

I didn’t turn around to look at him, even though his silence unnerved me. This was a professional kitchen and I couldn’t afford to show an ounce of weakness. Letting people go was part of the business, it just wasn’t the fun part.

“I have a contract with the network that keeps me here until at least opening night or the season finale, whichever comes first. I’m sure once you taste my cooking and see me in action, you’ll agree I need to be here. I am fully prepared to do whatever it takes to ease your burden.”

On that note, all the beautiful aromas I’d been savoring soured immediately in my mind. I put down the spoon I’d been about to use to taste test and backed away from the stove.

“That sounds like something you’ll have to take up with the network then.” I glanced at the clock in the corner and calculated the time difference. “They should be in the office in about five hours if you’d like to give them a call. But for now, I’d appreciate it if you take your things and clear out. I have a lot of work to do and I too appreciate the absolute quiet of working in the middle of the night. So I’ll give you a moment and come back when you’ve had a chance to clean up.”

I didn’t stop to give him any time to argue or make any more excuses. It was time for him to go and as much as I hated walking out of the kitchen right now, I didn’t want to stand here and lord over him like he was a toddler who needed to clean up a mess he’d made.

I could go and change and then come back. Despite the hour, I felt recharged standing there in the space that I’d created. I couldn’t wait to get to work again. I fled the kitchen as dignified as I could without breaking into a run and made my way to the lobby where the elevators waited.

Along the way however, I spotted the hotel bar and a woman I recognized sitting at one end. Next to her sat my director. Perfect. I could let him know that the chef I’d failed to even get a name from was vacating my kitchen and could use some supervision. If they wanted footage for the show, they could capture that. Nothing excited viewers like a man in a white apron throwing a hissy fit.

I approached Nova and Zack, taking a moment to admire how beautiful she looked sitting there raptly listening to whatever he was rambling about. She had poise and a look about her that had to have come from a wealthy family. It took training to achieve that regal air she exuded. Not that I found it offensive at all. Quite the opposite. I also loved the black wrap dress she wore that both hugged and skimmed her somewhat lush figure.

All those attributes had to contribute to the designs she created for women’s fashion. Her couture lines were legendary and it was quite a coup for The Sinclair to score an exclusive line for their hotel.

I slid onto a stool next to Zack and wrapped my arm around his shoulder in greeting.

“Hey, you,” he said. “I didn’t expect to see you again tonight.” He kissed my cheek. “Where’s Mr. Tall, Dark and Bad?” He looked past me in search of Vincent.

“I don’t know. We parted ways as soon as we got back to the hotel.” And that was all the explanation I was going to give. I had enough trouble with privacy and delving deep into my private life in a public venue wasn’t going to improve that situation.

Plus, I wasn’t ready to focus on the fact that I’d been upset by Vincent’s easy concession to let me walk away. It seemed no matter how bad he might be for me, I still craved his attention. Which meant I was in danger of falling for the same bad guy all over again.

Zack’s brow lifted in question, a necessary distraction that I promptly ignored. I looked over at Nova and flashed a smirk, at which point she busted out in laughter.

I really liked her. And it felt good to be making friends.

“I think we’re going to have a problem in the kitchen tomorrow.”

“What did you do?”

“I fired someone’s idea of a sous chef, that’s what. What did you expect I would do?”

“Dammit, Zia. Why didn’t you call me? That’s the kind of drama I need captured on film.”

I shrugged.No thanks. My bitchiness in the kitchen was not what I wanted the world to see right now. “I found him cooking in my kitchen. Using my personal tools.” Even Zack had to understand that kind of travesty. “Just now. I suppose if you hurry you could catch him clearing out his shit. I’m sure he’ll have words for you. He already tried to throw his contract in my face.”

“He’s right. The man has a contract with the network that I don’t think you can break without permission.”

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