Kiss Me When the Sun Goes Down by Lisa Olsen Read Free Book Online Page B

wondered how he knew which direction to go.  Lee gave me an apologetic shrug and followed after him.  Who was interviewing who?
    I took a seat behind my desk, glad to see that Kane had remained standing until Lee invited him to sit.  “Can I offer you something to drink, Kane?”  He didn’t have a beer in hand, and I wasn’t sure if it was because Lee had changed his mind about offering him one, or if he’d already chugged it.  He didn’t smell of beer though.  I caught the scent of fresh strawberries and the faintest whiff of axle grease, but no alcohol. 
    “Not unless we got something to drink to, but I’m guessing it’s a bit early for that,” he grinned, his teeth white and even. 
    I nodded.  “Just a bit.”  He was confident, not quite cocky, but I imagined he would be among his friends.  Lee leaned against the window sill, arms crossed in silent judgment, but leaving the questions entirely up to me.  Cool beans.   “So, Kane,” I began, briefly glancing at my notes.  “Have you held any positions like this one before?”
    “Not in the private sector, but I’m no stranger to security details and organizing men.”
    “Where are you working now?”
    He shifted uncomfortably.  “I’m repoing cars and working skip traces for a local bail bondsman.  The pay’s good, but I’m looking for something more steady.” 
    “Skip tracing?  That sounds interesting, tell me more about that.”
    Kane eased at the question without judgment.  “Well, basically if someone runs out on their bail, I track them down and haul their ass back in to the authorities.” 
    “And are you good at tracking people down?”
    “I’m the best,” he grinned. 
    “You sound confident about that.”
    “I can give you the straight up numbers if you want, they don’t lie.”
    “I can vouch for that, I’ve heard talk of some of his more wily skips,” Lee supplied.  “Boy’s got a good nose for trackin’, to be sure.”
    “What did you do before you became a bounty hunter?”
    His expression became pained when I used that term, but he replied without making  a mention of it.  “I was in the Army, Special Forces.  Did three tours before I decided I wanted to settle back at home again.”
    Special Forces sounded impressive.  I wondered if I should have Carter talk to him to make sure he really knew his stuff, but decided it wasn’t that important.  It wasn’t like we needed him to go all commando in his job duties.  “Are you from this area originally?”
    “No.”
    I expected him to elaborate, and when he didn’t, I prompted, “And where are you from then?”
    His brow furrowed, his dark gaze skewering me.  “Does it matter?”
    A red flag waved in the corner of my mind.  “That is something that employers tend to ask for, yes.”
    “I reckon we can skip over that for now,” Lee spoke up, and I shot him a look.  I wished he’d filled me in on shifter etiquette before we’d started.  How was I supposed to know it was a sticky topic?
    “Okay... so what do you think makes you a good candidate for this position?” I tried again, and this time he answered readily. 
    “I got the right temperament to deal with bullshit.  ’Cause let’s be honest, that’s what you’re looking for, right?  The reason you want a manager is so you don’t have to deal with the day to day bullshit of running the men.  I happen to excel at getting the best out of the men under my command.”
    “And how do you do that?”
    “I’m honest and I’m fair.  I don’t deal with favoritism or any political garbage.  I don’t tolerate slackers or assholes working security as an excuse to fight.  Be straight up, do your job and do it well, and we got a place for you here.  From what Lee’s told me, you’re paying fair, and there’s plenty of work to be had in a city of this size, so a guy can make a decent living at this.  There ain’t no reason for drama.  You hire me to manage the men, and I’ll