Read Online Shadow of Suspicion (Haunted by the Past) by Danielle Rose-West - Free Book Online

laughed.
“I’m sure Jason makes a very tidy sum from that garage of his, despite what he
says about business people.”
    Jason refrained from answering as
their food arrived. He couldn’t care less what anyone thought of him. His
business kept him in comfort. He didn’t need to take over the world and money
didn’t rule it for him. Cunningham was the kind of person that would put
anything aside for money. Lucinda may think he was amazing because of his
business acumen, but Jason doubted that the kind of man Cunningham was would
make her happy in a relationship.
    Jason pushed aside his resentment and
tucked into his food. The smell of his chicken pot pie made his stomach rumble.
It had been hours since he’d last eaten. He let the conversation buzz around
him, without getting involved. He had no interest in the refurbishment of an
old, rundown B&B.
    He’d almost cleared his plate when
Lucinda tapped his arm. He glanced up. Her expression could curdle milk. He
flicked his gaze to Cunningham and Callie. Both were staring at him
expectantly.
    “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
    Lucinda’s long, drawn out sigh
stirred the hair hanging over his forehead. “Haven’t you been paying even the
slightest bit of attention to what we’ve been discussing?”
    Jason shrugged. “Not really.”
    Lucinda’s eyes narrowed. “I was
telling Andy how I redecorated part of Warner House. You remember that, don’t
you?” She kicked him under the table. Jason gritted his teeth. “It received so
many compliments. You must remember me talking about it.”
    He cleared his throat. From what he
could recall, Lucinda had simply kept an eye on a couple of decorators. It was
hardly redecorating the place herself. “I remember you saying something about
it. Why?”
    “I was hoping Andy would have need of
someone to help with the Lazy Boy project.” She sent a beaming smile in
Cunningham’s direction.
    “I’m sure we have room for you on the
team. Callie could certainly use an assistant. Right, Callie?” Cunningham
didn’t even bother to wait for Callie’s acknowledgement. “I could take you
around the project tomorrow, if you like.”
    Callie’s head shot up from her
dinner. “I don’t think so, Mr Cunningham.” He turned towards her with his mouth
slightly open. “I don’t work with an assistant.”
    Jason was amazed at the steel that
entered Callie’s voice. She drew herself up in her seat, her expression clearly
stating that she would not be swayed. Cunningham leaned slowly forward in his
seat, his face slightly flushed.
    “I wish for Lucinda to work on this
project, Callie. Since I’m paying you a lot of money, I think you can
accommodate me.” Cunningham’s expression brooked no argument.
    Callie put her cutlery down and
pierced Cunningham with a deadly glare. “Mr Cunningham, you seem to be under
the illusion that you’re my boss, and can therefore issue me with orders. Let
me make something very clear to you.” She leaned forward in her seat, and
matched him glare for glare. “I work for myself. If I decide not to sign the
contract for this project, either by your choice or mine, I have a number of
clients that will snap me up the minute I step foot back in London.” She
clicked her fingers together. “I don’t need this project as much as your
project needs me.”
    Cunningham opened his mouth, but
Callie held up her hand and continued before he could comment. “As for the
money; you are paying me that amount because I am the best. I will not have an
amateur messing up my work. If I were to ever hire an assistant, who I worked
with would be my choice and nobody else’s. So, do you still want me working on
this project or not?”
    Cunningham regarded her for several
moments in stunned silence. Then he flung his head back and laughed. His
admiring gaze ran over Callie and he smiled at her.
    “Not many people ever have the
courage to challenge me. Yes, Callie, I want you on this project. I