Voodoo Kiss by Jayde Scott Read Free Book Online Page B

the oriental carpet to the staircase all the while holding my breath as I listened for any sound. My heart hammered in my chest even though it was ridiculous since I had nothing to hide. Gael had instructed me to stay inside, but I was a grown up and no one had the right to tell me what to do. If he caught me and disapproved, he could just shove it where the sun don't shine.
    For a moment, I hesitated in the doorway. When nothing stirred, I walked down the stairs to the ground floor. The entrance hall was just as deserted, so no one there to ask. Figuring the garbage bins had to be outside, I took the backdoor that led into a tiny communal garden. The moon was partly behind by thick clouds but gave enough light to see clear shapes. I scanned the area as my eyes adjusted. To my right, large bushes obstructed my view of what was behind. To my left, a large wall protected the hotel from the outside world. I saw nothing that resembled garbage bins but I wasn't ready to give up yet, not least because I enjoyed the cool air and the solitude.
    The soft breeze left a cool sensation on my skin, turning it into goosebumps . I breathed in the crisp air and walked down the tiny path toward the bushes, then stopped in my tracks when I heard male voices. They were too low to understand, so I crept closer until I could make out one of them was Gael. I crouched next to one of the bushes and squeezed my hand through to part the leaves so I could catch a glimpse of what was happening on the other side.
    I recognized Gael immediately by the light brown slacks and the white shirt he had worn half an hour ago when he brought up dinner. He had his back turned toward me. As he talked, his voice betrayed irritation. The other guy was a few inches taller than Gael with dark hair that brushed the black collar of his shirt. He was clad in blue jeans that showed off strong legs, but what caught my attention immediately were his striking blue eyes. I had never seen blue eyes like that, shining in the dark without any light source reflecting in them. My gaze moved to the pale skin of his face and neck. I, too, liked to shy the sun, but he was at least a shade paler and it made him look unnatural, not in a sick way but different.
    "How many times do I need to tell you I don't have much time?" Gael's voice cut through the silence of the night.
    "I heard you the first time," the blue-eyed guy said.
    "Obviously, you didn't otherwise you would have found what I'm looking for."
    "There's been a complication."
    "Really?" Gael snorted. "And why would I care? You're being paid to do your job. How you do it is your business. As long as I pay all I want to hear about or see is results."
    I scoffed inwardly, wondering why Gael was being such a jerk. That was no way to talk to a dog, let alone a human being. As though reading my thoughts, the blue-eyed guy's gaze shifted toward me and for a moment my breath caught in my throat. His sudden smile seemed out of place for someone who was being lectured by his boss, and yet I knew it wasn't addressed at Gael. It was for me. He knew I was there, hiding in the shadows.
    I straightened my back, ready to dash for the house before the blue eyed guy betrayed my presence, but Gael beat me to it.
    "You have twenty-four hours to get the job done. Better not waste my time," Gael called over his shoulder as he stomped past, unaware of my presence, his arrogance mirroring in his stride. Holding my breath, I waited until I heard the backdoor open and close behind him. Only then did I dare to turn around and my heart jumped in my throat.
    He was standing right next to me, peering down with the same unnerving smile.
    "Looking for something?" His voice was deep and low, barely more than a whisper. "I'm Kieran." He reached out his hand and I grabbed it, for some inexplicable reason trusting him.
    "Sofia," I said, pointing at the bag in my hand. "I was throwing out the garbage."
    "That's not the only thing you should be throwing out." Even