Page 62 of Monster Among the Roses (Fairy Tale Quartet 1)

“And I’m not mad at you,” Isobel continued. “You were worried about me; I can respect and appreciate that. I’m not happy that you brought another person here specifically for me, to keep me company, or for whatever reason you did it, but since your misplaced intentions actually turned out for the best, I can forgive you and move on.”

“Well…” Henry seemed momentarily boggled before he nodded, saying a humble, “Thank you. I’m glad you realize I was coming from a place of love and only wanted you to be—”

“I know, Dad.”

Her quiet words seemed to affect him dramatically. His face flushed, eyes watered, and he began to cough. Then he nodded, cleared his throat, and shifted his gaze back to me.

“Nevertheless,” he drew out slowly. “Shaw is my employee, and I would like to speak to him. Alone.”

I nodded and started to step forward, but Isobel tightened her grip on my hand, keeping me next to her.

“Only if you promise his job isn’t at risk and you won’t do anything to harm his mother,” she said, trying to negotiate with her father for my sake.

After a sharp scowl my way, Henry turned back to her. “He really did tell you everything, didn’t he?”

“Yes.” With a nod, she added, “And I believe him.”

“Thank you,” I told her sincerely. I opened my mouth to let her know how much that meant to me, but her dad interrupted.

“In my office, Hollander. Now.”

Leaning over, I smacked a quick kiss to Isobel’s scarred cheek, then I hurried after her father.

Henry waited to speak until we reached his office. And even after he shut the door and turned to me, his gaze flashing with outrage, he kept his voice low, as if he were afraid Isobel was listening at the door.

“This wasn’t part of the agreement,” he hissed.

“I know, s

ir.” Keeping myself military stiff, I nodded. “I didn’t mean for it to happen.”

He narrowed his eyes, studying me shrewdly. “You didn’t mean for what to happen, exactly?”

“Isobel and me.”

“And what is happening between you and Izzy?”

I crinkled my eyebrows. “That’s really not your business,” I said slowly.

He didn’t seem to care for that answer. His face a mask of anger, he marched closer, waving his finger in my face. “This is an outrage. I brought you into this house to make her feel alive again. Not to…not to…”

“And I did,” I said evenly. “You can’t deny how much more active and social she is now.”

He growled and narrowed his eyes.

So I added, “And in return, she made me feel alive again. I know I wasn’t supposed to get as close as I did to her, and I know with my station in life, I’ll never be good enough to—”

“Dammit, Hollander,” he growled. “Don’t make me out to look like a snob. I brought you here because of her, just to get her to open up. It wasn’t supposed to become some grand romance. You weren’t supposed to pretend a friendship.”

“I didn’t. I didn’t pretend anything.” But he kept going as if he didn’t even hear me.

“You weren’t supposed to seduce her, and you damn well weren’t supposed to—”

“Fall in love with her?” I cut in, anger vibrating under my skin. “I’m sorry, but you never made that clear. It wasn’t in the contract, and it certainly wasn’t something I could control.”

I swore, if he could, Henry would’ve exhaled fire from his nose. His glare was scorching. With a slow snarl, he bit out, “So you’re going to play the love card, are you?”

I blinked, confused. “It’s not a card. It’s the truth.”

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