Page 20 of Cinder (MC Fables #2)

E lla

The rest of the day goes by in a blur of activity. Mrs. V. keeps me so busy I don’t have time to think. From peeling potatoes and washing the large breakfast pots and pans, to stacking the dishwasher, wiping down counters and vacuuming.

When she disappears to run some errands, she hands me a list of things to do while she’s gone. Clean coffee pot. Unstack dishwasher. Mop floors.

But before I start, I decide to take advantage of people being gone and sneak to the library to look for the book.

The clubhouse feels empty as I walk slowly through the foyer and along the corridor toward the library. My heart is pounding and my pulse is racing in my ears, because if I get caught sneaking in for a second time, I’m not sure I can hide my guilt, and I don’t want to trigger any suspicion.

I just want to get the book and go.

“You must be the new girl.”

I almost jump out of my skin when the chirpy female voice behind me comes out of nowhere. Spinning around, I come face to face with a woman wearing tiny shorts, a tight shirt tied under her waist, and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen.

She giggles, and it’s sweet. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Startled, I laugh to shake it off. “That’s okay, you didn’t. I thought I was alone.”

She’s cute. About my age. Her hair cut into a bright blonde pixie cut.

“Yeah, the boys are out doing club stuff and everyone seems to have scattered for the day.” She holds out her hand. “I’m Mya. You must be Ella.”

I shake her hand. “I am. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I’ve been dying to meet you ever since I heard you were coming. I’m like the unofficial welcoming party.” She slides her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s go get a coffee. I’ve got a hundred questions.”

Mya is so sweet as she leads me away from the library and back toward the kitchen. Her energy is welcoming and infectious, and I find myself enjoying the distraction.

I figure the book can wait .

Besides, I don’t think Mya would give me the option to say no.

In the kitchen, I grab a couple of mugs and place them on the counter. But when I head for the coffee pot, Mya cuts me off.

“You sit. I’ll fix us a coffee.”

She turns and grabs the coffee pot from the other counter.

“Looks like Mrs. V. has got you well trained already,” she says looking at the tidy countertops.

“Tell that to the plate I just broke. Wait, you didn’t hear that from me. Please don’t tell Mrs. V. She might just make me peel another twenty potatoes.”

Mya winks as she pours the coffee then hands me a cup. “Your secret is safe with me, honey.”

She leans against the counter across from me.

“So how do you fit in to the Knights of St. Boniface?” I ask her.

“I’m a club girl.”

“And what are club girls?” I ask, before taking a sip of coffee.

“We take care of the boys when they need taking care of,” she says with a smile. “And they take care of us.”

“So you’re… girlfriends?”

“More friends with benefits.” She winks.

“Oh…” I say, still not understanding how it works. “So you can spend time with any of the Knights? ”

“If we’re both feeling it and the vibe is right. But club girls don’t go near any of the Knights with old ladies. It’s how the club girls and old ladies live in harmony.” She blows out an exaggerated puff of air. “All hell would break lose if a club girl hit on someone’s old man.”

“Is there ever not any harmony?” I ask.

“Not between the old ladies and club girls. We all know our place.” She takes a sip of her coffee. “We’re family. And the family bond among the Knights and the women who live in this clubhouse is strong. You fuck with one of us, then you fuck with all of us.”

I think of my family and what it’s become and how much I miss my father.

“I like that,” I say softly, missing the security of having a family that loves and protects you.

She hisses in a soft breath. “That’s some shiner?”

My hand self-consciously goes to my cheek. I had successfully hidden it beneath makeup earlier, but it’s probably worn off by now. “I got that from a man who liked to think he could control me.”

“Then he’s not a man. Real men don’t hit. Whoever did this to you is a coward.”

“You’re right. He is a coward.”

“Ex-boyfriend?”

No, my narcissistic, psychopathic half-brother.

You can call him Satan .

“He was my boss. I used to room with him and his wife.” Inwardly I curse myself for the flimsy excuse I gave Lars.

But at the time, I was on the spot, and it was the first thing that popped into my head.

But now it sounds so fake, and I’m worried Mya will see through it, so I quickly add, “Thankfully, I don’t have to work for him anymore thanks to Lars giving me this job. ”

Her face brightens at the mention of Lars.

“Oh, that sounds like Lars. He’s the sweetest.” She looks dreamy. “He looks like trouble, but he’s got a big heart.”

The way she talks about him makes me wonder if she’s ever been a club girl for him.

“So have you and Lars ever…?”

Her eyes widen. “Oh no…never!”

I feel a surge of relief but try not to.

Because it shouldn’t matter to me if they’ve been together or not.

“It was instant friendship from the moment we met. He’s like my brother. Actually, he’s like my best friend.” She smiles and it’s warm and affectionate. “You know when you meet someone, and you just know that they’re going to be special to you?”

No, I don’t.

I’ve been sheltered my whole life, so I never made any real friends .

But I don’t want this sweet pixie girl to think I’m a weirdo who can’t make friends. So I nod.

“Lars is a really good guy. He’s got a past. Like we all do, I guess. And he likes to party. We have a lot of fun together but only ever as friends.”

“And he’s single?” I don’t know why the words fall out of my mouth, and I could kick myself for asking them.

“Lars will never settle down. He says it’s because he doesn’t want to feel responsible for someone else.

But that’s a lie. He feels responsible for all of us as it is because we’re his family.

” She sighs. “Something happened a long time ago, and whatever it is, it made him decide falling in love isn’t for him. ”

I don’t know which is sadder. Me never having any friends, or Lars deciding he never wants to fall in love.

“He never told you what happened?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Never.”

“And you never asked?”

“When something cuts that deep, I don’t pry. I always figured he’d tell me when he was ready. But I’m still waiting.”

I like Mya. I can tell she likes to spill the tea. But I also get the feeling it’s all surface-level stuff. She’s not going to gossip about deep secrets.

Her eyes twinkle with mischief, and her lips curl into a conspiratorial smile. “Why do you ask?”

I shrug. “I was just curious. ”

But the way Mya looks at me tells me she doesn’t believe the lie. “You’re just his type. Beautiful. Sweet. Smart.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “I mean, there’s no harm in a little fun.”

Oh boy, she couldn’t be more wrong.

Because a little fun with Lars could get us both killed.

I smile. “I don’t think that would be a very good idea. Someone once told me they don’t fuck where they sleep, and that sounds like pretty sage advice to me.” Then we made out on the couch.

Mia laughs. “Oh honey, you only work here, you don’t live here. Have some fun. And as for sleeping… I’m pretty sure there would be none of that if you decided to have a sleepover with Lars.” She leans forward and whispers, “I bet that boy has stamina.”

I can’t help but giggle. I don’t know if she’s being serious or not, but this is nice.

Girl chat. I’ve never had it before. At boarding school, the other girls kept clear of me.

They came from families with prestigious names and unimaginable wealth.

Even if they wanted to be friends with me or include me in things, once their parents learned who I was, they were told to stay away from me.

By the time I reached my senior year of high school, I was used to it and had built a wall so high around my feelings that it didn’t matter to me anymore.

Well, that’s what I told myself.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realize Mrs. V. has already been gone for an hour and will be back any minute .

I stand up so quick I almost spill my coffee. “Oh no, I haven’t done any of my chores. Mrs. V. is gonna kill me.”

“What do you need to do?” Mya asks.

“Unstack the dishwasher. Clean the coffee pot. Mop the floor.”

My very first day of employment ever and I’ve already fucked it up.

“Don’t worry, sweet Ella. You grab the mop and bucket, and I’ll do the rest,” Mya says sweetly.

She gives me wink then turns away to start unstacking the dishwasher.