“You’ve done nothing but fob me off, Isaac. I’m not standing for it anymore.”Pause for the cigarette drag and release.“Be here or I’ll make things difficult for you.”
Speaking of difficult, how the fuck was I supposed to leave the mansion, get the glamouring potion out of my system, and then show up at the hotel without causing a stir?
Pain pulsed in my jaw.
“Helen…” What could I say? That I quit? Tell her to pull the plug on all my contracts and land myself in a swamp of lawsuits?
No. I didn’t get to walk away easily.
“Okay,” I said. “I’ll see you at seven.”
“Excellent. I’ve already booked a table.”She hung up.
I wanted to hurl.
Fuck today.
Chapter 15
ISAAC
Iarrived at Erin’s office on the east wing of the ground floor with a pot of tea and a stack of Riley’s cookies on a gold tray.
After I knocked with my foot, she opened the door. Boy, did I love her cardigans. Today’s was lavender, draped over a plain pink sweater.
“Isaac?” Her hazel eyes moved to the goodies I bore. “Is this for me?”
“Part of my apology for this morning,” I answered.
And to temper the part about me going to The Coral. But I’d get there shortly.
“Come in,” she said, stepping aside to let me enter.
Her office décor was gold-and-terracotta like the rest of the mansion, complete with celestial paintings on the walls, an oak desk with two chairs, and a filing cabinet. But the glass cabinet filled with an array ofcandles neatly displayed gave the room a sprinkle of charm. As did the scent of pumpkin spice.
I put the tray down on her immaculate desk, only a pot of pens and a laptop gracing its polished surface.
“This wasn’t necessary,” she said. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
“I do. I’m sorry.”
“You were upset.”
“And mouthy.”
She smiled, taking a seat. “Please sit.”
I sat, pouring out some tea for her, and for me, in the fine China cups with gold roses painted in a ring around the rims.
“I understand your frustrations,” she said, picking up a cookie.
I added milk for her, giving the steaming beverage a gentle stir. “And I understand your hands are tied. All our hands are tied.”
“Yes.” She inspected the cookie. “Your brother really is a master of these, isn’t he?”
“I’ll say. So, I’m really sorry.” I touched my chest. “Seriously, seriously sorry.” A stab of guilt punctuated a creaky sound in my voice. “Ollie told me about those fake executions.” I closed my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath.
“An appalling abuse of power, if you ask me.”
