Chapter 16
MELANIE.
IT WAS BARELY OVER AN HOUR IN AND I WAS ALREADY BORED.
Mr. Alonso had breezed past me about thirty minutes ago, saying that if anyone called I should tell them he was in a meeting. Blaine had left to attend to his own daily schedule too so I was all alone. I slumped back in my seat, studying the heels of my black pumps which were in my line of vision since I’d put my legs up on the desk.
I couldn’t remember the last time I was this idle. Even when I was lying in wait for a target, at least I’d had the anticipation to
keep me company.
Just as I was contemplating entertaining myself by trying to find out how long it would take me to break into his office, the phone rang, startling me a little.
I cleared my throat and picked it up “Heartbreak Hotel. How can I help you?” I said, infusing my voice with cheerfulness.
“Rosa! Mi corazon. Thank God!” a male voice answered, sounding near tears.
Larched a brow, sliding further into my seat. This could be fun “Er. Perdon?”
“I know you said not to call on your work phone, but you left me no choice. Why have you been ignoring my calls?” he said. I wondered how long it would take him to realize I was not, in fact, his darling Rosa.
“I’ve been busy” I switched to a Spanish accent, as I imagined any Hispanic with a name as generic as Rosa would have one. I kind of felt bad for him, it sounded like Rosa had been taking him on a loop.
“No. You’ve been avoiding me. Rosa, I know you caught me sleeping with your cousin Benita, but I swear to you it won’t happen again. It is you I love the voice pleaded, a hint of panic in his tone.
He seemed to not be bothered at all now that he knew he was talking to a stranger. “But..but I love her, he said in a tortured voice and I rolled my eyes. Men and always acting like they were the victims.
“You should’ve thought of that before jumping into bed with this Benita who, by the way, is a bad cousin and should be hanged. Next time, keep your dick in your pants.” I said finally before slamming down the receiver.
Poor Rosa. This is what happened when you trusted men. They slept with your cousin, then crawled back begging
I’d never had much trouble with men. Given that all the men in my life had disappointed me one way or the other, I tended to stay away unless it suited my purposes to do otherwise. My mind immediately flashed back to that night in Rome and L smirked. Oh yeah. That had suited me just fine.
Before I could sink further into my thoughts, the phone rang again and I stared at it. I didn’t want to answer it in case it was Rosa’s unfaithful lover again, but it could be important. I sighed. Damn office telephones and their lack of caller ID.
I picked up the receiver “Hello and welcome to the Pleasure Palace of Playful Desires, your one–stop shop for fulfilling your wildest dreams. What can I do for you this fine morning?” I said in a very soothing, very feminine voice and struggled not to laugh
“I see you’re having fun that voice sent chills down my spine. I took my legs off the desk and sat up straight, all traces of humor gone.
“Cadell
“Hello again, rugrat. I’ve missed you too.
His sarcastic tone was not lost on me.
“How did you get this number?” I asked, barely managing to keep my voice steady it. Dammit. I knew he’d find me but I
Composing myself adopted the cherry tone I knew irritated him.
“Did you get my gift Make sure you think of me when you cuddle with it at night.”
*I believe it is a rather public line. The question you should ask is how I knew you would be there, but I won’t answer for you. And yes I got your gift. It’s very cute. Even more so when I torched it and dumped it in the bin.” He answered.
er that
1 narrowed my eyes and opened one of the drawers in the desk, reaching for one of the business cards stacked there and Пlipping it over. I swore. It was, in fact, a public line.
Chapter 16
“How can I help you today?” I maintained the annoying Barbie tone.
“We had a deal, and you have yet to deliver“, he said.
“Since you’re so well informed I’m sure you heard what happened. My hands are tied.” I answered.
I had no intention of delivering anything to him ever again. If I eventually got around to stealing the jewels, it would be for personal gain. The next time I saw Cadell, it would end with one of us lying dead at the other’s feet. Preferably him.
“I don’t care. As long as you’re still alive, I’ll be expecting my delivery, 48 hours, then I’d assume you have crossed over to the enemy, at which time I’d no longer have any use for you“, his statement was loaded with meaning but I just rolled my
eyes
The amount of times my life has been threatened recently made it not hold much meaning anymore. Besides, now that I’d resolved to end this whole thing, he didn’t scare me anymore.
I’d just opened my mouth to tell him exactly that when His Royal Highness chose to walk in.
“I’m sorry. We’re not interested in your fundraiser. I suggest you contact other companies, and best of luck to you“. I said instead and put down the receiver.
He looked at me and I answered his unspoken question,
“Just some guy calling for support for some dumb fundraiser“. I shrugged it off, hoping he hadn’t heard any previous parts of the conversation
“What fundraiser?” he asked, unbuttoning his suit jacket while I tried not to stare.
Shit. I didn’t think this through. I scrambled to find something suitable and mentally face–palmed at the words that escaped
me next.
“Uh. The fundraiser for dogs with malformed genitalia.”
His eyebrows winged up and I had the brief pleasure of managing to surprise him. He paused in the act of loosening his tie and I swallowed, praying that he wouldn’t see through my dumb lie and call me out on it.
I briefly contemplated coming clean and also telling him that he possibly had a spy in his employ (how else would Cadell have been informed of the situation so quickly?) but I pushed it away. Lowed him nothing. He was right up there with Cadell on my blacklist, if not higher.
To my relief, he seemed to decide that there were better things he’d rather spend his time doing than exchanging words with me and walked into his office with orders to not be disturbed unless it was important. That was way too close.
