Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Piper

Apparently, that wasnot the right answer. My guide, who had yet to introduce himself, glared at me. He didn’t seem to particularly care about the fact that I was bleeding. He only seemed to care that I had caused a disturbance after only five minutes in the house.

Can you blame him? No. Not really. I’d have thrown me out before I ever had the chance to break anything.

“Come on, you’re done.” He grabbed my arm and pulled me to my feet, seemingly determined to get me out of the house.

“But– but you don’t understand. I need this job,” I protested, trying to dig my feet into the ground, but the guy was stronger than he looked. “Hey, let go of me. That hurts.”

The guide sneered. “You’re going to hurt even more if you don’t get out of here right this second.”

I tried to protest again, but before I could get a word out, the Adonis from before appeared in the foyer. “Darren, what are you doing with our new maid?”

Darren? So, that’s what this asshole’s name was.

“I’ll have the agency send a new one. This one is too clumsy.” Darren sobered slightly and bowed his head before opening the door, no doubt to shove me out on my ass.

“Wait,” the Adonis said. “I don’t want a new maid. I want her.” He pointed a long finger at me and made my heart lodge itself in my throat.

“But Master Wynn, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” Darren pressed his lips into a thin line, clearly not happy with his employer.

And what was with the Master stuff? How old-fashioned and demeaning was that?

“Are you questioning me, Darren?” Master Wynn, or whatever this guy’s name was, narrowed his eyes at the other man.

Darren let go of my arm and dropped to his knees. He shook his head profusely. “No, of course not, Master. I was just thinking of—” He cut himself off and pointed a finger toward the living room. “She broke the Qing vase!”

Wynn clucked his tongue. “That she did and now she is in our debt.” A slow, wicked grin spread across his lips as he leered at me. “Unless you intend to pay us back for the vase?”

I shook my head, my mouth falling open.

“I didn’t think so.” Wynn offered me his hand, the other holding a bandage. “Now, let’s get you wrapped up.”

Glancing down at Darren, I hesitated. Then Darren’s gaze met mine. There were anger and fear in those eyes, but also, there was a warning. Like he was trying to tell me something without Master Wynn knowing.

Either way, I didn’t really have much of a choice. I needed this job. I’d already gotten fired from or quit so many jobs that the agency said this was my last chance. Even if these people ended up being sex-crazed freaks, it was better than living on the streets.

Master Wynn led me back to the living room and sat me down on the couch. He propped himself on the coffee table and took my hand gently in his, using a washcloth to clean off the blood. I watched his face as he worked on me. I hadn’t noticed it before, but his eyes were dilated, and his nostrils flared. Did the sight of blood upset him?

Trying to make him feel more at ease, I withdrew my hand from his with a nervous laugh. “You know, I can do this myself. You’re my boss, I can’t really make you do this. I mean, I already owe you so much.”

“Nonsense.” Wynn flashed that wolfish grin once more. “What kind of employer would I be if I didn’t take care of my employees?”

My eyes slid over to where Darren had been. The space was now empty, but the image of him on the ground before Wynn was burned into my mind. What kind of house had I gotten myself into?

Clearing my throat, I tried to make small talk. “So, the job description mentioned more than one tenant?”

“Ah, yes, my brothers.” Wynn glanced up from wrapping my hand. “You’ll meet them in good time.” He paused for a moment and then continued working. “I noticed you didn’t bring any bags with you? I thought we had told the agency we wanted a live-in maid.”

“Oh, yeah. They told me. I only have one bag. It’s in the car still.” I shifted nervously in my seat.

I only had one bag because I had to sell most of what I owned to cover food and gas. They didn’t need to know I’ve been living out of my car for the last few months, ever since I lost my full-time job to the economy and couldn’t find a replacement.

Unfortunately, I hadn’t been the savings type. So, my heart of gold landlord booted me the moment I couldn’t pay rent. This in-home job should have been a godsend, but I was still holding on to my pride, what little left I had.

“Well, that’s not a problem.” Wynn taped the end of the bandage but didn’t release my hand. His fingers stroked along the top of my hand making my pulse quicken. “I’m sure you will enjoy living here and if you need anything, an extra toothbrush, a shoulder to cry on, anything at all, just let me know.” Wynn grinned and winked, making me forget all about the weird occurrence with Darren.

“Thank you, you don’t know how much I need this job.” I stopped and felt myself blush. “I mean, I know I owe you because of the vase, and I swear I’ll pay you back, either with money or my time.” I quickly spat out the words without knowing really what I was saying.

Wynn raised his hand, and I stopped talking. “I know, I know. How about we just worry about getting you settled in first and then we can deal with everything else?”

Nodding eagerly, I stood up when he did and followed him to the foyer. We paused by the door where Wynn pushed a button on an intercom.

A moment later, Darren’s voice came over the speaker. “Yes, sir?”

“Please get Miss...” Wynn trailed off and looked to me. I mouthed, ‘Billings,’ and he nodded. “... Miss Billings’ bag from the car.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Darren?”

“Sir?”

“Make sure to clean up the mess in the living room.”

“Of course, sir.”

The warning in Wynn’s voice was clear as well as the firm obedience from Darren. I wasn’t exactly sure about the power dynamic in the house, but I knew Darren feared his boss. His yummy looks aside, Wynn hadn’t been anything but nice to me since I entered the house. If I had been in Wynn’s place and an employee had stepped over his bounds, I’d be pretty pissed too. The kneeling had been a bit much, but still, Darren had it coming.

Wynn turned back to me and held out his arm. “Shall we? I’ll show you your room and then we can discuss your duties around here.”

I stared down at his arm for a moment, the offer a bit old fashioned but nothing about this house had been normal so far. Shrugging a shoulder, I looped my arm through his, and he led me up the left staircase.

I tried my best to listen to him talk about the house, but the warmth of his body pressed against my side was distracting. I forced myself to watch his face to at least pretend to listen to him, but then I ended up staring at his lips. Those delicious pouty lips I wanted to bite.

“And this will be your room.” Wynn opened a door down the hallway we had somehow ended up in. My eyes moved to the inside of the room, and I was surprised to see it was far nicer than I expected it.

A four-poster bed filled most of the room with a large dark green canopy above it. An expansive wardrobe stood to one side of the room as well as an antique desk that did not come from a flea market. To the right of the room was a door that was open, giving me a glance at the bathroom. There was a claw foot tub and even a vanity. It was far more than I deserved as the help.

“What do you think?” Wynn’s voice in my ear startled me, and I spun around. Wynn had moved so much closer than before, putting us close enough to feel each other’s breath.

“Uh,” I stuttered and blinked rapidly, “it’s great. Really wonderful. Bigger than my old apartment.” I didn’t know why I told him that. I wanted to keep my sad little existence to myself. No handouts for me.

However, Wynn acted as if he hadn’t noticed my slip up. “Good, I would hate for you to be uncomfortable.” His hand reached out and traced the curve of my jaw. Wynn’s fingers burned along my flesh, and I ached to lean into his touch. He seemed to be studying me, searching for something. What that was, I didn’t know.

All I knew was when his hand dropped, I instantly missed its warmth.

“I’ll come to get you for dinner, and we can talk more then.” Wynn nodded and then brushed past me.

My gaze followed him for a lot longer than it should have. Finally, when he was out of sight, I went into my room and collapsed on the bed. I was in so much trouble.