“You did the job you were hired to do, and now you found something else you can make a living at and enjoy more. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“Okay. I can do this.”
I lean over and press a kiss to her cheek. “You can do anything, princess. This was just a stepping-stone in your path. It’s your boss’s dream, not yours. She’ll understand.”
She pauses with her hand on the door and her front teeth digging into her lower lip.
“What?”
“Mount told me to keep my mess away from Keira, or he’d take care of me.”
I reach out and take her hand. “You let me worry about Mount. Besides, if that was what he said, then he’ll approve of this move.”
With another deep breath, Temperance opens the door of the Bronco. “Wish me luck.”
23
Temperance
The familiar smells and sounds of the distillery greet me as I step inside the building. I catch sight of the back of Louis Artesian’s head as he steps into a storeroom.
The walk to Keira’s office has never seemed shorter.Shouldn’t it take longer to get there?
I wipe my sweaty palms on my black pencil skirt before adjusting my yellow blouse again.
I picked a sunny color thinking it felt optimistic and cheerful, but it’s not helping. I’ve halfway convinced myself to turn around so I can change into jeans and a T-shirt and go hammer metal instead.
Why am I afraid to tell her?
Because Keira’s been there for me for years. Working at Seven Sinners was the best job I’ve ever had in my life, along with giving me a reliable income and carrying some prestige, so it seems insane for me to quit. And yet, I can’t make myself come back and work here.
Giving up the steady paycheck is the biggest risk, but the new theme in my life seems to be taking chances. And this morning, I’m taking one of my biggest chances yet.
At least, the biggest one outside of telling Kane that I loved him.
I shake my head at the wonderment of that. Not only is henotdead, but heloves meand we have a future now.
I pause in front of Keira’s closed door and tap on the wood.
“Who is it?” she calls out.
“Temperance,” I reply.
“Come on in.”
My hand slips off the handle on the first try, but I get it on the second and twist. As soon as I step inside the office, I freeze.
Keira isn’t alone. Mount is here.
Oh fuck.
Immediately, I start to back up. “I’m so sorry. I truly didn’t mean to interrupt you. I can come back another time.”Like when I have body armor on, I add silently.
Mount’s black eyes lock onto me, carrying a silent warning not even I could miss.
“Thank the Lord, you’re back! I’ve missed you like crazy, and the work is getting out of control, even with the new people we hired.”
Before I can answer, Mount speaks for me.