Page 82 of Dirty Legacy

“Absolutely not. I told him the same thing.”

“Wait, he asked about her too?”

“Angel,” he says, tone low and warning. “Absolutely not.”

“Well, maybe some other time then.” I kiss his cheek, lingering on the stubble. “Do you have work?”

“Yes, unfortunately.” He hesitates, one hand snaking around to press into my lower back. “Why? Were you thinking of something?”

“No reason.” I slip from his grip and fall back into my chair. I waggle my fingers at him. “See you later. I have work too.”

He grunts, frustrated, and storms out.

Is this what it feels like? To enjoy being around someone?

It’s fun, although I don’t love the way he gives me orders.

I resist the ledger book for ten minutes before finally giving in. Numbers march across pages in tight handwriting. Connor’s been doing this manually, and from the look of it, he’s been at it for years.

This is going to be a nightmare.

Good thing I have nothing but time on my hands.

25

ANGIE

My eyes are bleary and I have a headache. I grind my fingers into my temple trying to ease the ugly pounding but that doesn’t help. I have to snap Connor’s books closed and stretch out on my couch, yawning, nearly knocking over one of about a dozen half-full teacups scattered around the space.

I’m pretty sure Connor gave me an impossible, worthless task to keep me busy. There are mentions of that UBI company in a few different places but none of them are adding up and it’s starting to drive me crazy.

“Forget it. I need a break.” I jump up, wiggling my fingers at the ceiling with a groan, and stalk into the hall. Colm’s gone from the door and I have a clear path into the main building. I pause at the top of the steps, not sure what to do with myself all of a sudden.

I can’t leave the grounds. I’m not supposed to go outside but Connor grudgingly said I can walk around the yard so long as I have a guard with me at all times. Maybe I can go find Lisa and do whatever she’s doing, although that’ll probably be annoying. I’m married to her boss, which kind of makes me her boss too? I’m not sure how that’s supposed to work.

“Thinking about jumping?”

I yelp and turn. Rowan’s standing in the entrance to her wing, grinning at me. She’s in an oversized hoodie and a pair of shorts. Her hair has a fresh blue streak in the front.

“Something like that. I’m into the new look.”

“Got bored.” She strokes at her hair, eyes crossing as she tries to look at herself. “You think it’s okay? I haven’t actually seen a mirror yet.”

“Oh, god, I would’ve spent an hour staring at myself before eventually chickening out. I wish I had your confidence.”

“Hard to care about looks, you know?” She runs her finger down her scar. “Not when I look like this.”

“Stop it, you’re so pretty. That’s crazy.”

She hunches, pulling her hands into the sleeves of her hoodie. “I dunno, is it? Some guys at school used to call me scarface.”

“Wow, fuck them. Did you tell Connor about that?”

“Hell no. They’d be dead right now.”

I’m honestly not sure if she’s kidding and decide I don’t want to know. “Screw them. You’re gorgeous, for real. The scar’s nothing.”

She waves that off. “If you’re looking for something to do, I have more hair dye back in my room? And maybe you can meet my parents too.”