Page 17 of Bossy Wicked Prince

I put a heavy hand on her shoulder to stop her and hold my finger up to my lips. She rolls her eyes.

“It’s just Steve,” she says.

“You don’t know that,” I whisper.

She huffs but lets me approach the door and peer out through the peephole. The man outside has a thick gray mustache and looks more like a retired plumber than a hardened criminal. Still, I look back at Cat and hold a finger over my lip to mime a mustache. “Steve?”

“Yes, Steve has a mustache,” she replies, purposefully loud.

Sighing, I unlock the deadbolt and open the door for him. Steve’s eyes widen with surprise when he sees me.

“Break-in?” he says, sounding confused.

“Yes.” Cat opens the door wider and gestures for her super to enter. “They broke in through the patio door. I thought after the last time you were going to install security cameras.”

The last time? How often does this happen?

Steve grunts. “It’s on my list.”

“I don’t know why I’m paying so much for rent if you can’t even bother to keep the building safe.” Cat crosses her arms,clearly uncomfortable with this sort of confrontation. “I mean, at least change the locks and fix the window out front.”

And update the intercom system, use shatter-proof glass in the patio-doors, install window sensors, put chain locks on the doors, a fence blocking the patio and backyard from the street…

“Maybe I can help.” I pull a card out of my pocket and hand it to the super. “I own United Protection Services. We could get your security upgraded within a few days if you mention me when you call.”

Steve shakes his head, snorts. “United Protection, huh? Last time I called for a quote and gave them my budget, your company pretty much laughed me off the phone.”

Iwantto tell him if he can’t afford it then he shouldn’t be in the business of renting apartments, but in an interest of not making this any more uncomfortable for Cat as I already have, I swallow the words.

“I’m happy to negotiate on rates if it?—”

“It’s just too expensive. Not interested, butthanks.”

He drops my card onto Cat’s counter and I can tell that arguing any further will be useless. This isn’t the kind of man who’s proud of his work and the services he offers; he wants to squeeze every penny out of anyone who rents from him while doing the bare minimum and no discount I offer will tempt him.

“Speaking of expenses, you’re late on rent again,” he has the gall to tell Cat.

She fiddles with the hem of her shirt. “I know, but the people who broke-in found my cash and?—”

Don’t punch him.

Don’tpunch him.

“Sorry, Cate” Steve says, in a tone which says he definitely isn’t. “If you don’t want the apartment, I can find someone else who will take it in a heartbeat.”

“It’sCat,’’ she corrects.

I shift forward, drawing the asshole’s attention back to me because I’m pretty sure if he says another word to Cat, I might have to break my number one rule.

“What about the stolen items?” I ask. “Willyoube reimbursing Miss Daniels for–”

“Call the cops and file a report. Her shit is not my responsibility. I’ll send someone to fix the door when I can. Then you can text me what you want to do about rent.”

With a final hard look at Cat, he leaves, slamming the door behind him.

When I look back to Cat, her eyes are fixed on the ground. Her pale cheeks are flushed a bright red. I’m guessing she’s embarrassed about the missed rent, even though I couldn’t give a damn. I may not know her yet, but I can tell she’s not the type of person to skip out on her responsibilities. She would have paid it if she could, and she’s obviously being overcharged for this tiny shithole masquerading as an apartment.

“Are you going to call the police?” I ask gently.