Edwina found Roscoe in consultation with two of his men—feline shifters like her.She listened carefully even as her pulse raced.They had to keep Mikhail safe.
A car pulled up outside, and Edwina glanced out the window.A woman climbed from the vehicle.Tall with blonde hair swept up in a casual knot, she wore black trousers and a tailored white blazer.The sun caught on her hand and bounced off her rings.Edwina’s stomach bucked with foreboding.
“Is that Bridget Smirnoff?”Edwina asked.The woman walked with confidence and arrogance as if the world owed her.Edwina grimaced at the plain cotton trousers she wore with a black T-shirt.Ah, well.She couldn’t do anything about it now.
The woman rapped on the door, and the knock sounded authoritative.
Huh!How could a summons to enter have authority?She was overthinking this, but one thing was certain.She didn’t intend to hand over her mate to keep the peace.
“Is she alone?”Roscoe asked.
“Cass hasn’t called a warning to say otherwise,” one feline said.
“She drove the vehicle,” the second shifter said.“If you’re letting her inside, we can do a thorough search and let you know.”
“Do that,” Roscoe said.“Don’t let her see you.”
Edwina and Roscoe waited for the men to leave via the rear door.The knock came again.
“How are we going to play this?”Edwina asked.
“We’ll let her in and see what she wants,” Roscoe said, holding his head a fraction to the side.To a human, the way he did this would be a quirk, but it was a birdlike gesture and denoted watchfulness.Nothing got past this man.“We’ll treat her like a guest until we learn otherwise but take care.She’s a Smirnoff.”
“Why don’t you let me answer the door?I don’t know if she’s expecting a woman.”
Roscoe gestured for her to go ahead, and Edwina strode to the door when a third, much louder knock rattled the door.
“Hold your horses,” Edwina said.“I’m coming.”She opened the door and went on the offensive.“What is your hurry?”
Bridget looked down her nose at Edwina and pushed past her.Edwina let her, but her temper pulsed with dislike.This woman had taken one look and decided she was the hired help.
“Miss, I don’t know who you are, but please, what do you want?I have a lot to do, and I don’t need rude visitors interrupting me when I’m trying to work.”
“Where is the owner of this house?”Bridget demanded.
“Harold Oldham?”Edwina asked, needling Bridget.
“I wish to speak to Roscoe.”
“Why?”Edwina asked.
“No business of yours,” Bridget snapped.“I demand you get Roscoe for me.Now.”
“Why?”Edwina persisted.“It’s my job to keep undesirables away.”
“He has something that belongs to me.”
“I see,” Edwina said, her temper burning.She didnotlike this woman.“Why don’t I show you to the lounge while I see if Mr.Roscoe is available?”
“Tell him it’s urgent,” Bridget snapped.
“This way.”Edwina maintained an impassive expression as she opened the door to a formal lounge and stood aside for Bridget to enter.The other woman brushed past her, elbowing Edwina on the way.
Edwina closed the door with a loud snick and sought patience with a deep breath.People like Bridget Smirnoff thought that having money meant they didn’t require manners.She sucked in another breath and unclenched her hands before returning to Roscoe’s office.
“You have something that belongs to her,” Edwina said.
“Huh,” Roscoe said with a faint grin.
