Page 5 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

Temptation pulls at me from every direction. For the last month and a half, I’ve kept my head down and done my job. No one blinks when I walk into a room; servants in this place are a dime a dozen. There’s a permanent chef and kitchen staff as well as six full-time maids, two butlers, and a high-dollar security team keeping tabs on the outside entrances.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the banker who owns this house is into some shady shit. Mafia or something. That’s what kept my hands off the enticing morsels the first month. But the longer I’m here, the more alluring those little gems have become. Certainly, they wouldn’t miss a trinket here or there, right?

I tie the apron around my waist and sigh, glimpsing the dour maid reflected in the mirror. It’s not the most flattering outfit, but it could be worse. I could be stripping or picking up johns on the East Side.

A shiver wracks me. I’d rather starve than sell my body to perverts. I’ve met too many girls over the years who lose their minds and their lives dipping into that line of work. I’d rather leave the city than sell my soul.

“Off to work?” Nancy asks as I step into the living room.

“Yeah.” I sit beside her on the couch and put on my shoes.

“Be careful.” She bites her lip.

“I’m always careful.” I soothe her with a smile. She’s sweet and innocent. If they knew my past and half the shit I’ve done, both my roommates would kick me out.

“I know. Maybe you could ask for the day shift? It might be safer.”

“I like working nights. Gives me time to myself.” I rest my hand on hers. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Nancy sighs, then nods her blonde head. Her blue eyes are full of worry, but she doesn’t persist.

“I’ll be home late.” I grab my purse and head for the door. “See you later.”

“Bye.”

I’m halfway down the stairs when I start contemplating the logistics of my situation. I haven’t officially met the rich bastard I work for, or his family, but I’ve seen pictures scattered throughout the house. They’re ridiculously loaded with too much time on their hands. It’s almost the perfect opportunity.

The old man’s on his sixth trophy wife, it looks like. He’s got kids with each of them, all ages from adult to infant. I think the oldest is older than me, some hotshot broker on Wall Street. He stopped by a few times. Once he stumbled in on me cleaning the library. Snobby shit took ogled me for half a second before turning his nose up before kicking me out of the room.

Asshole.

If I were going to steal anything, I’d take it from that prick. Being raised with a silver spoon in his mouth was terrible for his manners. Fortunately, he hasn’t been back.

For now, the pay is decent, and I can keep my nighttime hours. As long as I restrain myself, I’m in the clear. Shiny things are my downfall.

As I make my way down into the station, a shadow appears behind one of the pillars. Nancy’s warning rings in my head. I sidestep, ready to run if needed. The city at night isn’t a friendly place. I’ve seen too much shit in this town to take anything for granted.

On the subway, I settle into an empty seat in a half-full car. I don’t even glance up when someone brushes past and slides into the seat beside me. First rule of survival in Manhattan, mind your own business. Sticking your neck into something that doesn’t concern you is a surefire way to get yourself killed.

“You’ve been hiding from us, Quinn.”

The rough tone pulls me from my thoughts, and my whole body stiffens at the familiar sound of Jack’s voice.

“What the hell do you want?” I keep my own voice low.

“The boss sent me with a reminder. You’re past due on your payment.”

His hand rests in his jacket pocket. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out what he’s got in there. Jack’s always packing heat. That’s what mobsters do.

“I told you before, I’ll have it by the end of the month.”

He tuts. “Interest has gone up, sweetheart. Boss wants double by next week.”

“Double?” I gape at him.

His dark hair falls across his vacant brown eyes. I don’t doubt the truth of his words. He’s a bulldog for one of the biggest crime lords in the city. I’d be stupid as fuck to cross either of them.

He shrugs. “Costs have gone up.”

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