Page 3 of The Brutal Arrangement

With just the two of us in here, the rest of the house silent as far as I could tell, I knew I was being sized up. Joann didn’t eye me with judgment or doubt, but I couldn’t tell why she seemed so intrigued.

“Forgive me for staring,” she said with a polite smile. “It’s just that you look…”

Oh, God. Not again.If she said something about my being a natural beauty or joking that I could be a model, I’d groan. I had to make this job work. I had to have a steady income to afford Mom’s care. And if I was supposed to blend into the background as a member of the housekeeping staff, I couldn’t stand out like this.

“You look similar to her.”

I raised my brows.

“Her?”

She nodded, gesturing for me to follow her through the house. “Katerina,” she said, pointing at a picture on the wall.

We paused there, and instantly, I saw the differences between me and the brunette in the family portrait. But for someone else, like Joann, I could also see how she’d think we were similar.

“I suppose it’s a good thing she’s not here often,” Joann said with a light laugh. “Otherwise, I’d get the two of you mixed up.”

I smiled back. “I beg to differ. I’ll be wearing a maid’s uniform.”

Joann grinned. “That’s true.” Again, she gestured for me to follow her. “We’ll see what we’ve got that might fit you.” Leading me further through the empty mansion, she began a tour of pointing out what was where, adding that I’d learn it all as I went.

“We have a rotating staff of cleaners and other help, but you and I are the only ones to reside here as staff.”

A pair of militaristic men strode by, both of them serious in suits and sporting stern scowls.

“And them,” Joann added. “Mr. Kozlov has an extensive security force. Don’t mind them. In fact, don’t mind… anyone here. Or anything.” She glanced at me as she indicated for us to go down another hallway toward the maid’s quarters. “Those soldiers come and go. And sometimes, they are loud. Please disregard them the best you can.” She reached for a doorknob to open the door.

“Oh, I will. I prefer to just do my job and ignore any drama.”

It wasn’t a mere preference, but aneed.

“Well,” she said as she led the way into a storage room with a closet of uniforms hung up along one wall, “I’m not sure I’d call itdramamore than…” Shaking her head lightly, she cut herself off. “Never mind. That is an excellent strategy.” She rifled through the maid’s uniforms. “Keep your head down, mind your own business, and you’ll do all right. The less you listen to and the fewer rumors you overhear, the better.”

Yikes.I masked my alarm, but I couldn’t shake off the idea that she seemed to imply that the Kozlov residence harbored not drama, but danger.

As if noticing my lack of reaction to her almost-ominous wording, she looked at me again and smiled, holding up a black dress and a white apron. “This looks like it might fit.”

I took it, thanking her and wondering ifIwould fit here. I didn’t need drama. I didn’t want any danger. All I needed or wanted was a chance for consistent paychecks.

“Go on, try it on,” Joann suggested as she pointed at a small fitting room.

“Thanks. I will.” I took the uniform into the tiny room and closed my eyes for a moment once I had the privacy in there.

Danger?

There couldn’t be any dangerous situations here. It was just another big mansion to clean and take care of, another enormous residence for the rich, hopefully empty more often than it was crowded.

Joann was merely advising me to mind my own business, and that was a solid piece of advice for any maid in any household.

You’re overthinking it all.

I opened my eyes and shook my head as if that would clear out the nagging thoughts of unease. Changing into the maid’s uniform, I reminded myself again that I’d make this gig work.

There were no other options. I was behind paying for my mom’s bills, and I’d run out of grace with the facility’s financial aid department soon.

Studying my reflection in the mirror, I noticed my grimace of doubt that the option of being the Kozlovs’ newest maid was mybestoption.

Just do as you’re told.

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