Page 83 of Your Coffin or Mine
“I need the rack ovens moved before tomorrow.” She eyes Doyle, her lip curling in disgust. Her voice is sultry, but there’s a challenging glint in her eyes. “As long as he keeps his mouth shut during the process, I suppose.”
My eyebrows raise to my hairline at the double entendre.
As predicted, Doyle’s eyes blaze with cold fury, and I really wish for the first time I’d paid attention to what it was they were arguing about in the first place.
“You know we can fire you at any point, right?”
“Doyle,” I snap out, trying to suppress a growl. “We need her.”
“Fine,” he says, his eyes tracking her as she leaves the room again.
My gaze narrows on him. “This was all your little idea, and I am more than willing to send everyone away within the hour if it means I’ll get a bit of peace and quiet.”
He smirks, but there’s a malicious gleam in it. “Oh, but that’s not true, is it Vlad? Not when it benefits Aubrey and her social media career.”
“Not sure if you’ve noticed, Doyle, but our female problems, if you could call them that, are vastly different.”
He chuckles, yet his nose crinkles with spite. “Oh, they’re alike in the ways that matter, old friend. They’re both trying to kill us—you with garlic and affection, me with diabetes and hate.”
“You’re joking,” I scoff.
“If only I were.” His voice is deep and disgruntled, much deeper than his normal speaking voice.What the hell did she do to him?
“I don’t know how you’re allowing her to do it, but it’s obvious she’s getting under your skin.” I step forward and flash my eyes red purposefully to remind him of who I am, and who he fucking works for. “Get yourself in check and do it quickly.”
His eyes flick away from my own, but his skin buzzes again in annoyance at me. “Fine.”
“Fine,” I bite back. “Meet me back here at midnight.”
The faster all of this is over, the faster I can have Aubrey to myself.
Chapter 25
VLAD
She isthe most stunning creature in existence.It almost makes up for the fact that I missed my opportunity to touch her.
After dealing with Doyle and his infuriating women drama, I came back to my room to find Aubrey asleep from too much wine. I had slipped under the covers with her, and pulled her so she lay upon my chest, and watched her as the hours passed.
Peace rolls over me the moment her mouth eases open in sleep again. She is so perfect. Even when the soft snores get loud, as if she’s attempting to imitate a foghorn, I cannot help but find her appealing. It’s unlike anything I have ever experienced. I will do anything to keep this creature and will gladly listen to her snore for the rest of my days.
She curls into my chest, fast asleep. I pull my phone from my pocket, taking a picture of us together, her wrapped in my arms and sleeping like an angel. She lets out an ungraceful snort and groans. Beautiful. I squeeze her lightly and brush the hair from her face.
My ears pick up on Doyle’s footsteps down the hall, and I glare at the doorway. As soon as I take a step outside, he is sureto follow. He won’t be able to resist, which is for the better in this one instance, as I am assuredly not doing everything on my own.
It has been some time since I have moved around so many objects. The nursemaid in him won’t allow him to leave me in peace for very long when expending that much energy.At least I achieved some rest, although sleepless as it was.
I extricate myself from Aubrey, who grumbles but thankfully rolls onto her side. “Cookies and coffee,” she mumbles in her sleep, her lips smacking loudly before she begins a light snoring.
Doyle arches a brow when I greet him in the hallway.
“She makes a lot of noise for something so small.”
“Yes, she does,” I comment, not bothering to look at him as he falls in with my steps at my side.
“So, what’s the plan?” he asks. “I have some of the decorations up, as George instructed. How we lucked out with a literal home designer in the castle on the eve of something like this, I will never know.”
“George has proved useful, and the plan is to remove the furniture from the room.”
