Breaking Away (Assassins, #5)(13)

She let out a huff before pushing the door open and getting out.

In his head, their conversation ended differently.

Claire’s face would brighten, and she would say, “Oh my god, you are the best uncle in the world. Thank you, Phillip. I promise I will never touch another boy in my life or drink another drink. I will be an angel. I will love you so much and never make you worry again. I love you so much.”

Phillip would smile as he wrapped his arms around his sweet, beautiful niece. “You’re welcome, I love you, too.”

But that was in his dreams; the girl that stood behind his car waiting for him to pop the trunk was his reality. Thinking he shouldn’t keep her waiting, he got out and helped her grab her things. Walking up to the house, their arms full, Harper appeared, looking sweet with Ally on her hip. Phillip put a smile on his face before saying, “Hey Harper. Hey Ally.”

“Hey guys! Come on in.”

They entered the house, heading back to the room that Harper had for Claire as they exchanged simply pleasantries. It was bigger than the room at his house, and he knew that Claire would appreciate the space. Along the south wall, there were windows, letting light in and giving a beautiful view of the backyard. They had a pool, another thing Claire would love once it got warm out. All the same things that were in her room were in this one. The white bed with the green bedding, along with the same desk and dresser. A plasma TV, and even though she never played her Xbox at the house, he still made sure she had one here too. It had cost an arm and leg to get everything the same, but looking around the room, he knew he had done well. Glancing over at Claire, he could see that she seemed pleased with everything.

“It’s the same things I have at your house,” she said, looking back at him.

He tucked his hands in his pockets as he watched her. “I told you, everything would be the same. I want you to feel at home here and at our house.”

Claire looked away, but he could see a smile pulling at her lips. Soon he was smiling too before he turned to look at Harper and Ally. Like her mother, Ally had big brown eyes; she was a cutie and always stared at him when he was around. She was doing it now, her head leaning on her mom’s shoulder as she watched him.

“Claire, this is Harper and Ally Titov,” he said, reaching out to shaking Ally’s hand.

She giggled before digging her face in Harper’s neck.

“Now you know you make her giddy, Phillip,” Harper joked before turning her attention to Claire. “Hi Claire, I hope that we make you feel at home.”

Claire shrugged her shoulders as she kicked at the ground.

“She is occasionally a mute. I don’t remember if I told you that,” Phillip said, pinning her with a look.

Claire rolled her eyes before looking up at Harper with her mouth set in a straight line.

“Hi.”

Wow, a whole word. For f*ck’s sake. Please Lord, let this go okay.

Harper smiled at him as she said, “Don’t worry, I have a feeling we will be great friends.”

Claire scoffed and then said under her breath, “Yeah, right.”

Looking up at the ceiling, he counted to three before looking back over at Harper.

“I told you she could be a brat, right?”

Claire glared up at him as Harper shook her head.

She looked over at Claire, meeting her gaze before saying, “Nope, you told me she was a sweet girl and that once she gets to know my family and me, she will learn to love us, like we are going to love her. We are a big family, us Assassins, you see, and I know you’ll fit in great.”

Looking down at Claire, Phillip suspected she thought that Harper was full of crap, but all she did was look away without a word. Thank God. Meeting Harper’s gaze, he mouthed, ‘Thank you”. She smiled back at him before kissing Ally’s cheek.

This was going to work.

It had to.



When a knock came on Reese’s office door, she looked up to see the mother of Kelsey Writhenmen. Her heart dropped as she motioned for her to come in. As she entered, Reese shut her computer and opened Kelsey’s file. Kelsey was new to the studio, and was on probation while Reese decided if she was a good fit for the company. Kelsey was a beautiful girl, with big green eyes, long brown hair, a great body, and great technique. She had trained in New York since she was two, and Reese thought she was going to be exceptional. The only problem was that she was a little brat that thought Reese should be honored to teach her. Needless to say, she wasn’t a good fit. Even though Reese hated this part of her job, she really didn’t feel that bad about letting her go.

“Hey Mrs. Writhenmen, thanks for coming in.”

She smiled curtly before crossing her legs. “Of course, what is this about?”

Always to the point, she thought as she said, “Well, as you know, we are at the end of Kelsey’s probation.”

She waved her hand dismissively.

“Yes, and?”

Man, I’m not going to miss these people, Reese thought, taking in a deep, calming breath.

“Well, I’ve decided that I will not be keeping Kelsey on.”

Mrs. Writhenmen looked up from where she was examining her nails and said, “Excuse me?”

“I said that I will not be keeping Kelsey on. She isn’t a good fit in my studio.”

“She is the best you have.”