Damien (Slater Brothers #5)(22)

“Bye,” he hollered from the sitting room.

When I left my apartment building, I thanked God it wasn’t raining and started the thirty or so minute walk to C.A.R. to retrieve my vehicle. The walk did me good; it not only gave me time to think, but it allowed me to stretch my legs as well. Being holed up in my apartment for seven days straight was murder on my muscles, and the lack of use was evident as my thighs and calves burned with each step I took.

I reached the building quicker than I would have liked, but I was prepared. My plan was to get my car and be in and out of the garage before Damien or anyone else caught a glimpse of me. It was a good plan, a solid plan, a foolproof fecking plan.

I’ve got this.

I made it seven steps into the poxy place before I saw the back of Dante Collins. I quickly but quietly scurried my way towards the reception where I ducked out of sight so he wouldn’t see me if he turned around. My heart was hammering against my chest, and my palms were sweatier than usual.

This is a shitty plan.

“Why did I think this was a good idea?” I whispered to myself.

I was in a good place with Dante, but I didn’t want to stand around and shoot the shit with him knowing that Damien was on shift. I wasn’t that brave. I closed the door to the reception, and I hoped to God that none of the lads walked in because I honestly had no idea what I would do if either one of them confronted me. I had all of two seconds to myself before I just about jumped out of my skin when the door to the reception opened. I swung around, and when I saw it was only Mr Collins, I placed my hand over my chest and forced myself to relax.

I was wound up tighter than a cheap watch.

“Hello, Alannah love.”

“Heya, Mr Collins.” I beamed. “Are you well? ‘Cause you’re lookin’ well, sir.”

“You tryin’ to make an old man blush, kid?” he replied with a wink. “Have any of the lads dealt with you yet?”

I shook my head. “I just walked in.”

He nodded, then glanced around the messy room.

“I really need to hire someone to organise this mess,” Mr Collins scowled at the mountain of papers before he looked at me, his eyes suddenly wide and hopeful. “I don’t suppose you’re lookin’ for a job, sweetheart?”

I giggled. “No, sir. Sorry.”

“Figures.” He sighed, his hands going to his hips. “I need a miracle worker to get this business organised.”

“Put an advert in the paper or online,” I suggested. “You’d be surprised by how many professional receptionists are out there who need a good job.”

“I don’t think I have any other choice,” he said with a sigh. “We can’t watch the reception all the time ’cause we’re workin’ on cars, so people who come in and wait without service get fed up and leave. In this day and age, I can’t afford to lose costumers, especially since we bought the lot next door last year and had everythin’ renovated into one large shop. I’ve so much paperwork that I consider turnin’ to drink durin’ tax season. I need a fairy godmother at this point in time to sort this out.”

“Definitely try the advert,” I encouraged. “You’ll be fightin’ off applicants, just you wait and see.”

Mr Collins grinned before he looked over my shoulder and sighed.

“I’ll be right back, love,” he said. “I’ve to see to a customer who’s bein’ ignored by me lads.”

I nodded. “Take your time. I’m in no rush.”

Big. Fat. Lie.

I had never wanted to leave an establishment as much in my entire life. I placed my hands on the reception desk, then looked at the beautiful antique clock on the wall. It was after three p.m., and as it was a Monday, I would have my normal weekly dinner with my parents this evening at five. I hoped my da wouldn’t be there; I was in no mood to sit across from him at the dinner table and pretend I didn’t know he was having an affair.

I didn’t have the strength for it. Not today.

The door to the reception suddenly opened and closed. Silence stretched on for a few moments, and I could have sworn I heard a snicker, which caused me to tense even more than I already was. I would just up and die if it was Damien.

“I told you this shite with Date was goin’ to cause problems, Alannah.”

My shoulders sagged as a sigh of relief escaped me.

“I know,” I replied with a firm nod.

I didn’t move a muscle as he moved next to me, his shadow falling over the countertop.

“Yet you ignored me words of wisdom?” he mused. “I bet you feel stupid now, huh, good lookin’?”

I turned my head, tilted it back, locked eyes with Harley Collins, then rolled them.

“I never pegged you for an ‘I told you so’ kind of man.”

“You pegged me wrong because ... I told you so.”

Harley was the only person who knew about my private relationship with Dante because the pair of them were extremely close. If either of them did something or someone, the other knew about it.

“Go away,” I grumbled. “You’re mean.”

He smirked down at me.

“Date said he couldn’t get hold of you and that you revoked his access to your buildin’. He was arrested when he tried to break in, ye’know?”