A Whisper of Sin by Nalini Singh Read Free Book Online Page B

for it.
    But first, she had to do something.
    On the third day after he’d crushed her up against the basement door and kissed her senseless, she walked out dressed in a deep peach skirt suit teamed with a white silk shell. Emmett looked her up and down, then did it again . . . slow. Her cheeks felt like they matched her suit by the time he finished.
    â€œI like it.” A slow, feline purr.
    She thrust a list at him. “Interview locations.”
    He raised an eyebrow as he scanned the list, but all he said was, “Hold on. I’ll get cover for your home then we can go.”
    â€œStill no luck with tracking Vincent down?”
    Sliding the phone into his pocket after rearranging his people, he shook his head. “Creep’s laying low. He thinks we’ll give up.”
    That, she knew, was simply not a possibility. “You haven’t been sitting still.” He’d only swung by her house in the mornings and at night. The other times, they’d had a rotation of both male and female DarkRiver soldiers.
    â€œWe have a bead on his base of operations.” A smile that was openly feral. “We’ll get him.”
    She nodded, but had the distinct feeling he wasn’t telling her everything.
And why should he
, part of her pointed out. She was just someone he was protecting. Maybe he lusted after her, too, but Jet was right, the cats stuck together. She didn’t know any DarkRiver people who’d entered into long-term relationships with humans—sexual, business, or otherwise. “Emmett,” she began, intending to ask that question, then realizing he might see it as expectation.
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œNothing.” She shook her head. “I think the first appointment is about a ten-minute walk away.”
    For a second, it looked like Emmett was going to pursue her aborted statement, but to her relief, he followed her lead and they headed off—with Ria sandwiched between the safety of the shop walls and Emmett’s big frame. His constant alertness made her feel safe on the innermost level.
    â€œWhat kinds of jobs are you applying for?” he asked a block from the first location on her list.
    â€œAdministrative,” she said, then made a face. “I’d really love to run my own office—you know, be in charge of all the organizing for the boss, but that’s going to be far in the future. First, I need experience—so I’ll end up someone’s lackey.”
    Emmett laughed at her tone. “I don’t think you’ll be a lackey for long.”
    â€œNo, I won’t,” she said, and took several deep breaths. “Right, here it is. Wish me luck.”
    â€œI’ll wish you luck inside.” He pulled open the outer door.
    â€œEmmett, I can’t go into an interview with a bodyguard.”
    His eyes turned flint-hard. “Vincent knew when you’d be coming home from your course. Chances are high that he’s worked out you’d now be applying for jobs.”
    She grit her teeth. “This is an established firm. I hardly think I’m going to be in danger from the sixty-year-old manager.”
    â€œYou’re not going behind a closed door with anyone.”
    Ria argued until she was close to the screaming point but he wouldn’t budge. Predictably, her interviews didn’t go well. The first manager was so affronted at the idea of being considered a threat that he booted her out without an interview. The next two were female and couldn’t stop staring at Emmett long enough to listen to Ria. When one finally did throw her a crumb of attention, it was to give her a condescending smile and say that maybe she wasn’t cut out for office work.
    A babysitter didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
    Ria was close to tears by the fourth interview, but not from anxiety. From sheer rage. “Thank you for destroying my chances of employment,” she said as they got off the skytrain