Page 28 of The Devil

I’m hoping it will help keep Mr. Oliveira safe.

Yes, he killed four men, which is scary, but he did it to help me and has only shown me kindness.

I feel torn in two about the lie I wrote down for the police.

I’ve just started my shift and already wish it were over. The gas station is the last place I want to be right now.

When an SUV pulls up, my heart sets off at a crazy pace, and I stare at the tinted windows. But then a woman climbs out, and when I look at the back door, I don’t see any dents.

Shoot.

She comes into the store, carrying an envelope, and looking at me, a smile forms on her beautiful face.

I love the dress she’s wearing. It makes her look glamorous. Her light brown hair is styled in soft curls, and her makeup looks like it’s been done by a professional.

Feeling self-conscious, I bow my head and fist my hands in my lap.

“Hi, Jenna,” she says, her tone friendly. “My name is Cassia.”

I nod and peek at her from under my bangs.

“I heard about the robbery. I’m sorry you had to experience that.”

I lift my head slightly, wondering who she is and why she’s talking to me.

“I have a job offer for you.” She opens the envelope and pulls out a piece of paper. “I’ll wait while you read through it. Take your time.”

With a frown forming on my forehead, I don’t touch the document but lean forward so I can read what it says.

It’s a position as a housekeeper for a recluse who lives in Tower. The town is even smaller than Aurora.

There’s a photo of what can only be described as a mansion, and the details say it’s a four-bedroom.

Then my eyes lock on the pay being offered, and I let out a squeak because it’s more money than I’ve ever hoped to make.

Ten thousand dollars. This has to be a joke.

Pulling back, I duck my head lower.

“What’s wrong?” Cassia asks.

I push the paper away from me and point at the amount.

“Your income can be negotiated.”

Frowning again, I look at her face.

“How much do you want?” she asks. When I don’t respond, she continues, “Twenty thousand?”

I hate being teased, and after the awful few days I’ve just been through, it really gets to me.

I shove the page off the counter and point at the door, indicating for her to leave.

Cassia tilts her head, and when a compassionate expression softens her features, it fills me with confusion.

“I’m not here to upset you, Jenna. I was here the day of the robbery and saw you sitting in the back of the ambulance. You don’t belong in a place like this and working for…my partner will be a much safer environment for you where you don’t have to deal with people at all.”

I press a button on the card machine so it spits out a piece of blank paper, and tearing it off, I write a quick note.