Page 40 of What the Hex
“I like my job.”
“Yes, dear, but it’s not exactly suitable, is it?
Storm failed to see how honest work wasn’t suitable. He didn’t have to wait long to find out, though.
“Your…partner is famous,” she continued. “How is it going to look for him to be with a maid?”
“Storm doesn’t care about stuff like that.”
“Do you honestly believe that? Of course, he cares. How could he not be embarrassed?”
Pretty bold of her to make assumptions about someone she didn’t even know.
He might not have all of his memories, but he liked to think he’d never been a prick who cared about status or money. King liked his position at Blackhaven Manor, and he enjoyed the people he worked with. It was also a perfectly respectable job—just like any employment that didn’t involve criminal activity.
“I just don’t understand why you won’t apply yourself. Do you want to clean up after other people for the rest of your life?”
“Yes,” King answered, and he sounded confident. “I like cleaning. It’s calming. All the better that I get paid for it, and I like knowing I can make guests’ lives a little better. Even if it’s just coming back to a tidy space after a long day.”
“Oh, don’t be so stupid, Kingston. Those people don’t care about you.”
Her statement was followed by a loud crash and the sound of breaking glass.
Both sisters gasped, and Royal cursed as they all jerked at the sound of the commotion. Storm, however, had a very different reaction. Instead of shock or surprise, he chose violence.
Driven by instinct and incapable of rational thought, all he knew was that his mate was in danger. Maybe. Whatever. Whether King was in peril or not, it didn’t matter. Even a possible threat needed to be neutralized.
Permanently.
While everyone else remained distracted, he kicked off his shoes and stripped out of his shirt before sprinting toward the kitchen. He started his shift as soon as he cleared the patio, and by the time he’d crossed the dining room, he was clawing out of his chinos.
As a cougar, he was bigger, stronger, and a hell of a lot more lethal. While he would have preferred a moment to settle into his sable fur, that wasn’t an option this time. King needed him.
Hissing and snarling, he bounded into the kitchen and leaped onto the kitchen island, sending metal pans and ceramic casserole dishes flying in every direction. He flicked his tail in agitation as he bared his teeth and growled.
The low, menacing rumble echoed through the room, but it couldn’t compete with Daniella’s high-pitched scream.
“Storm!” King yelled, rushing over to him and stroking the fur on his neck. “Calm down. Please do not eat my mom!”
“What is that? What’s happening?” Daniella screeched.
“It’s a cougar,” King responded calmly. “Well, technically, he’s my mate.” Then he went right back to ignoring her as he rubbed both hands along the sides of Storm’s neck. “Come on, big guy. Ease up.”
At least, Storm thought that was what he’d said. It was kind of hard to tell with all the screaming and wailing going on.
“He tried to attack me! Call the police! Call the park rangers!”
“Shut up, Mother!” Entering the kitchen with her siblings close behind, Reina breathed out a deep sigh when her command shocked the matriarch into silence. “That’s better.”
Royal snickered. “This might be the best day of my life.”
Unfortunately, Daniella recovered quickly and began screeching again. Only, this time, she wasn’t passive about it. Grabbing an empty cookie sheet from the floor, she gripped it in both hands and began swatting at him with it.
“Back! Get back! Shoo!”
When one of her attempts brought the pan near his muzzle, Storm caught the edge of it between his teeth and ripped it easily from her hands. Apparently, that was Daniella’s tipping point because she dissolved into hysterics as she ran from the room, slipping and tottering on her four-inch heels.
Completely ignoring the monstrous cat in their kitchen, the siblings rushed forward to surround King.