Barbara Dunlop – The Baby Contract (страница 12)
“Or the other way around,” said Mila. “If they’re freaking out about Dustin Earl, nobody’s going to care that I’ve blown my dream job.”
“You want to bet on that?”
“No,” said Mila.
Not that she’d ever wish her sister ill. But she doubted even the infamous Judge Earl would be enough to distract her family from any kind of career failure.
If Troy turned her down, she’d have four drill sergeants all shouting at her to get up off the mat, to regroup and try again. If a job with Troy Keiser was the best credential for her future career, then that was exactly what Mila was expected to achieve. No hesitation, no excuses, no giving up.
“I’m headed to Pinion Security right now,” she said, polishing off the last of her coffee.
“Show him what you’ve got, little sister.”
Mila had made up her mind to take it slow, take it steady and methodical in order to impress Troy. She wouldn’t try to knock it out of the park in the first five minutes.
“There’s nothing for me to do but paperwork this morning,” she said. “And after that I have to find a nanny.”
“A nanny?”
“Kassidy can’t perform without someone to take care of Drake.”
“And if she can’t perform, she can’t be in danger. And if she’s not in danger, you can’t save her.”
Mila frowned, not liking the way that sounded. “My plan is to keep her
“Troy Keiser probably won’t be all that impressed if you keep her safe from nothing.”
Much as she hated it, Mila knew Zoey’s words were the bald truth. If Kassidy’s fans were simply fans, it would be difficult for Mila to shine. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to wish any danger on Kassidy. And the most foolish move in the world would be for her to see things that weren’t there. She’d have to keep herself on an even keel, make sure she didn’t look too hard for threats.
* * *
This morning, Troy had found himself second-guessing his decision to hire Mila. Second guessing wasn’t like him. And he couldn’t afford to do it. He was in a business full of split-second decisions, most of which were final, some deadly final.
“How did she convince you?” Vegas asked from across their shared office.
It was a utilitarian room, with a couple of guest chairs, computers, monitors, an old-fashioned whiteboard and a large rectangular work table in the middle. Their desks both faced the windows, side by side, looking toward the river.
“It was Drake who wore me down,” said Troy. “I don’t care who does it, but somebody’s hiring a nanny.”
“Kassidy can hire her own nanny.”
Troy had to admit it was true. Not that he had a whole lot of faith in Kassidy’s judgment. But she could use a reputable service. Last night’s nanny seemed perfectly fine. Her only problem was leaving too early.
“Mila seems methodical,” Troy said to Vegas, using the reason he’d settled on for himself. “I appreciate methodical.”
“Do you think Kassidy’s under any real threat?”
“I think Mila will find out. If it’s nothing, terrific. Then once we have a nanny, Mila’s gone.”
Troy would let her go without a second thought. Her persistence might have seemed admirable last night, but she was just another investigator. He’d decided that a woman was probably good for Kassidy under the current circumstances, but once the threat assessment was complete, that would be the end.
“Have you set up the employment entry tests?” asked Vegas.
“No.” Troy was surprised by the question. “This isn’t a regular hire.”
Successful completion of four stringent performance tests was required of every Pinion Security agent—tradecraft theory, technical skills, weapons proficiency and physical fitness. There was an overall 80 percent failure rate, even among ex-military members. The obstacle course was particularly grueling. There was no way a woman could complete it.
“So, you’re lowering the standards?” asked Vegas.
Troy took in his partner’s critical expression. “Yes. I’m lowering the standards. For her. It’s a one-shot mission, she’s not—”
“Don’t you dare lower the standards,” Mila’s voice interrupted from the doorway.
Both men turned to the sound of her voice.
“This is a private conversation,” Troy said, coming to his feet.
“Then you should have closed the door.” Her green eyes were hard as emeralds. “I don’t need to start at the ladies’ tee.”
“You’re a woman,” said Troy. “And you’re a temp. Testing you would be a waste of time.”
“Then I’ll do the tests on my own time.” She paced briskly into the office. “It’ll be hard enough getting the other security agents’ respect without skipping the entry tests.”
“You’re not going to get their respect,” said Troy. It was the truth, and there was no point pretending otherwise.
“Not like this, I’m not.”
“And you don’t need it. You’ll be working on your own with Kassidy.”
His concern that hiring her had been a mistake was back in force. He should reverse the decision. He should do that right now.
“Maybe.” She rested both her butt and the heels of her hands against the work table. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll still be around them.”
Not if he fired her, she wouldn’t.
He sized up the determination in her eyes and was reminded of the admiration he’d felt last night. She definitely had tenacity going for her. Too bad it wouldn’t be enough. Even if she could shoot straight, she was too small and weak to make it through the fitness course. And there was no way to picture her in hand-to-hand knife combat. No way in the world.
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