Page 21 of Rival
As I put my shoes on, I keep an eye on her, still frozen in her spot and eyes on the floor. Pulling my keys from my pocket, I toss them in my hand a few times before I decide to give up for the night.
“Thank you for dinner, Edith. It was delicious. I’ll see ya around.”
Once I’m headed back to my place, I spend the time trying to decide if I should confront Mason myself and convince him that hiring Edith Hughes is a terrible decision. I’m sure she can get a job somewhere else.
With a quick look at my dash, I figure there’s no time better than the present. It’s not too late and I know where the bastard lives. Taking the next turn, I make my way to Mason Cooper’s home. We’re about to have words.
Chapter Ten
Mason
Ihaven’t even been home an hour before there’s pounding at my door. I just pulled leftovers out of the microwave, so I drop the plate on the counter and answer.
“You and I need to talk, fucker.”
What the fuck is Griffin Graham doing at my place?
Crossing my arms across my chest, I fill my doorway and stare him down. “Try that again, asshole, or I’m shutting my door.”
Griffin matches my pose and stare, eyes narrowed as he sneers, spitting mad. “I said exactly what I meant. I need to talk to you about your newhire.”
I draw a blank for a moment before Edith Hughes’ face flashes into my head. Rolling my eyes, I let my arms fall and lean against the doorjamb. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mumble. “The fuck is this about?”
The man in front of me takes a step closer, clearly wanting to intimidate me, but he’s unsuccessful. I don’t move an inch and stay relaxed. “What the hell are you doin’, hirin’ Clay’s daughter to work for you? What’s your game here?”
Am I annoyed that my neighbor couldn’t even wait a few days before running her mouth about our arrangement? Fuck yes, I am. But I’m not about to let this fucker know that.
Instead, I study my nails, letting him know I couldn’t care less that he’s confronting me right now. But Edith and I will have words in the morning. “Not sure what the problem is. She was lookin’ for work, so I gave her some.” Then, as an extra jab, I let a smile grow and meet his eyes. “Not sure how long she’s gonna last, though. Girl isn’t really made forhardwork, if you know what I’m mean.”
I can literally feel his fury vibrating from him as he moves closer. Again, I stay relaxed, but I’m ready if he tries anything. “I know you got a problem with her daddy, but fuckin’ with her is beneath you. What are you hopin’ to gain here? Work her to the bone, then fuck her over? Just to piss off Hughes?”
Shrugging, I suck on my teeth and narrow my eyes at him. “It don’t matter what my goal is. But I didn’t ask for her to show up at my place. That was all her,beggin’me with those big ol’ brown eyes for a chance. Who am I to say she can’t have it? Whether I bone… sorry, whether Iwork her to the boneor not is none of your business. Now, if you don’t mind, I got some supper to eat.” I’m thrilled when he flares his nostrils in fury, so I add a little extra push, just to see if he’ll make a move. “Maybe I’ll even jerk my dick to the thought of a little girl breakin’ her back as she shovels shit on my farm, but we’ll see where the evenin’ takes me.”
I’ll admit, I’m impressed with how fast Griffin has his hand around my throat, but I’m nothing if not the best at keeping my cool around trash that seems to keep popping up in this town.
“I’ll fuckin’ destroy you if you fuck with her. Get rid of her. Fire her. Give her a suggestion on where she should work instead of your place. I don’t care. But this ain’t the road you wanna go down, you piece of shit.” Griffin’s threat would have most menpissing themselves, but I’ve known him and his brother long enough to know I can take them both.
Shooting my hand up, I peel his fingers from my throat and bend them back until I know he’s worried I’ll break them. Griffin Graham doesn’t flinch. Instead, he gives me a feral smile. Releasing him, I relax against the frame of my door again.
“Not gonna happen. Maybe I’ll see if little Jennice Graham wants a job too. Heard she’s workin’ for Thorton nowadays. Unless you wanna rethink your threat. If not, I can be real charmin’ if I need to be.”
There’s a flash of what I assume is my death in his eyes, but he steps back and off my stoop until he’s on the walkway. “You’re so full of shit. Get rid of Edith. Be a fuckin’ human for once in your life.”
“No.”
Without waiting, I slam my door and lock it, then turn off the lights so he’s forced to head back to his ride in the dark. Laughing to myself, I find my way back to the kitchen.
I’m sure my next visitor will be good ol’ Clayborn Hughes himself, and I grin imaginingthatupcoming confrontation. He’s been a thorn in my side for as long as I can remember. Infuriating him will give me nothing but some enjoyable entertainment in my near future.
Grabbing my dinner from the counter, I eat the semi-cold meal, coming up with ways I’m going to punish little Edith Hughes for sending trash to my doorstep and disrupting my evening. She just put an end date on her employment with Cooper Ranch, but not before I play with her for a bit first.
Taking a sip of coffee from my travel mug, I stand in the shadows, watching Edith coo at that damn kitten as he does his best to climb up her body while she changes out his food and water.
She arrived fifteen minutes early, but with the distraction of playing with the cat, it’s now two minutes past our start time. Checking my watch again, just to ensure we’re definitely past the top of the hour, I push myself away from the wall.
“You’re late.”
I ignore the way she jumps and wait her out, taking another sip of my coffee. She pushes herself to her feet quickly, brushing off the loose straw from her pants, then smiles at me.
