Read Online Cardinal by Sara Mack - Free Book Online

late. Standing still for the first
time in hours has allowed exhaustion to creep in. “Let me get my bag.”
    I walk over to where I stashed it beneath the
register, and Gwen finds me for a hug. “Thank you so much for helping tonight. There’s
no way I could have done it without you.”
    “You’re welcome,” I say into her shoulder. “I
had fun.”
    “Me too!” she exclaims.
    Pete and I say our goodbyes to Carter and
Felix, and I duck under the bar to join my brother on the other side. We start
to leave when he gets distracted by another coworker who wants to say goodnight.
I decide to keep walking until, about half the distance from me to the door,
Latson steps into my path. He sets his feet and crosses his arms, like there’s
a problem. My walk slows. He notices and smirks, then crooks his finger for me
to come here.
    My knees go weak. How can he make that gesture
look hot?
    Putting on a confident mask, I make my way over
to him. He cocks an eyebrow. “Were you going to leave without talking to me?”
    “Nope,” I lie.
    “Huh. It sure looked that way.”
    “I was just about to find you,” I fib. “What is
it you wanted?”
    He tips his head and eyes me skeptically. He
knows I’m lying. I hold his gaze because I don’t want him to see me sweat,
which turns out to be a bad idea. Those eyes are criminal.
    Seconds pass before he finally says, “I want
you.”
    I think my heart stops. “What did you say?”
    “I want you,” he says again and steps toward me.
“I want to hire you. I know the best when I see it and I need your skills here
at Torque.”
    “Jesus.” I let out an exaggerated breath.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing.” I’m quick to recover. The last thing
I need is for him to know I misunderstood his words. “Thanks for the offer, but
I’m not looking for work.”
    He frowns. “Why not?  Pete told me about your
job and the apartment.”
    He did?  “Then you know I’m only in the city
for a little while. As soon as I can go back home I’m leaving.”
    “But, you don’t know when that will be,” Latson
says. “I think you could do well here. Pete said you need to replace your
things.”
    I can’t help my twisted expression. “My brother
has a big mouth, doesn’t he?”
    Latson ignores my question. “I’m not talking
about a full time job. We’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays as it is. After
watching you tonight I thought –”
    “You thought what?” Pete walks up behind us.
    “I’m trying to give your sister a job and she’s
being difficult.”
    “You what?” Pete scowls at Latson. “No way.”
    I stare at my brother in confusion. Why would
he care?  “Excuse me?  You’re the one who told him about my personal life.”
    “Only to explain why you’re here and why he’s
never met you before.” He looks at his boss. “Jen can’t work here.”
    “Why not?” Latson and I ask in unison.
    Pete turns to me. “For the same reason I told
you earlier. This was a one-time thing. I don’t need anyone messing with you.”
    I didn’t plan on getting a job while in
Chicago, but having my brother deny me the opportunity is annoying. “Like I said
before, I can hold my own. Who says I’m going to get messed with?”
    Just as I utter those words, Carter playfully
pulls my ponytail as he walks by. “See you around, Little J.”
    The three of us look at him as he sends a smile
in my direction.
    “See?” Pete complains.
    Latson looks lost. “What’s the big deal?”
    “I don’t want her to get hurt,” Pete says.
    “Who would do that?”
    My brother pins Latson with a stare, as if he
knows something I don’t. Then, he elaborates, “Jen needs a break. On top of the
fire and her job, she just broke up with her prick of a married boyfriend.”
    Gah!   How embarrassing!  “Shut up!” I
whisper-yell at Pete.
    My reaction doesn’t faze him. Instead, he keeps
talking. “She shouldn’t work here.” He turns to me. “If you want a job maybe
Jules can help you