Taming Amanda (Book 1) Jacob's Broken Mercenaries

Chapter 7

Amanda

I stand at the door, unable to open it. It feels like if I do, it's a new life. A big step into the unknown. What if I'm not cut out for this kind of thing? I was a secretary, and that was a handful. Not to mention I'd be working along with werewolves, vampires, demons, and fairies? I can't even wrap my mind around it. It's so absurd. I refuse to be in the same room as Austin. Jacob tried explaining last night that it was an undercover mission, and I should cut him some slack, and yeah he's right, but right now I'm angry, and I can't see past that. I thought we had a connection, I would have kept his secret, and he knows it, maybe. Jeez, even I doubt that statement. I would have done anything to escape. No! I will not feel guilty for my emotions, I'm human, wait, am I? Oh my God, I do not want to be inside my head right now.

I step out into the hallway. Laughter carries through the narrow passage and up the stairs. There are five levels to this place and a basement I have yet to see. The main level contains a washroom, kitchen, dining room, library, entertainment area, and a small office. The next three levels are all bedrooms placed adjacent to one another on each side. There's four rooms on the second level alone. I'm in the third on the right second level. The place is enormous it looks like it's been around four centuries with plenty of superficial modern upgrades.

Meals must be a big deal for this group. I stare at no one in particular as most are gathered at the large table. My eyes catch on Austin's the same moment he finds mine. He seems different today, more relaxed as I look away haughtily not my MO, but I can't help the petty and immature reaction, Estevan walks out with a mug and I grab a honeydew slice, following him into the library. While pretending to look for a book, I watch as he grabs a one. His back is to me, and for the life of me, I can't think of a single thing to say.

"Do you like to read?"

I jump at his voice. I didn't think he knew I was here. He has a velvet richness in his vocals that soothe. His accent is Russian and thick.

"Sometimes, do you?" I ask, He turns, smiling, and I silently gasp when I see his teeth. Thankfully, he doesn't take offense, his smile still in place.

"Often... you wear your thoughts on your face like a beacon. I can teach you to work on it. You will need to control them to succeed in this line of work."

I don't know whether to be offended or thankful, so I nod to play it safe.

"Sit, I don't bite."

I laugh loudly at the ironic comment and sit on the lounger next to him. Picking a random book, I pretend to read while nibbling on the honeydew.

"I thought you didn't like to talk?"

He keeps reading, sipping from his mug.

"I don't"

I watch him in my peripheral vision. He has long, thick black hair tied at his neck, and he's actually very tan, not pale at all like I'd expect, being a bloodsucker and all. What do you know, vampires are wrongly stereotyped. He's very tall and broad. His shoulders are the width of half my body's height.

"We don't eye-fuck our coworkers here! You are expected to keep it professional."

My head snaps so fast that I get a sharp pain in my back. Jumping up, I drop the book from my lap.

"Excuse me?" My voice is shrill even to my own ears. Austin stands at the library entrance with his arms folded over his heaving chest.

"You heard me."

I'm stunned into silence. I'm so pissed right now that I can't think of anything to say because I have too many words going through my mind, and not one word is good enough.