Stroke of Midnight (Cinderella 1)

“Aye aye, Captain.” He mock salutes. Fucking child is what he is. “I’ll text you the place later.”

As soon as he leaves, I shoot a text to Ash.

Me: I’ll pay you two thousand for every event, dinner, or meetup you attend with me. Clothes, shoes, and accessories are also included. Say yes, and I’ll see about hiring a personal shopper for you. Choose something short, tight, and sexy for tonight. I need your shoe size. I’ll be providing those.

Ash: Slow your roll. How often are these events?

Me: As needed. Tonight, you’re needed. Shoe size, woman.

Ash: 7 and we have to drop Shrimp off at your place first.

Me: I’ll send a car to pick you up and bring you to my condo. And if anyone asks, you’re my maid during the day and my personal assistant at night.

Ash: This is going to get messy, Win.

Me: Good thing I have a maid to clean it all up.

Ash: What if I embarrass you?

Me: I’m hoping for you to only embarrass yourself.

Ash: Special requests at these events will cost you. Embarrassing me is a very special request.

Me: All you have to do is name your price, Cinderelliott, and it’s yours. Be ready to head my way in an hour.

After confirmation that she’ll do as requested, I finally give my secretary who’s standing primly by my door my attention.

“We need to discuss the way you speak to a Constantine, Deborah,” I growl. “Shut the door.”

The tears begin to fall before she even gets the door closed.

They won’t work. I’m unaffected by tears. All that will get her out of trouble now is a heartfelt apology and a vow to never do it again. By the time I finish ripping her a new asshole with my vicious words, she’s docile and eager to show she’ll behave.

“Oh,” I say before she scurries out of my office. “Hire me a personal shopper. I’ll need her to measure my new personal assistant. Make this your priority, and send them to my condo first thing in the morning.”

“Yes, sir,” Deborah murmurs, her face splotchy from crying.

“Good girl. Don’t disappoint me again.”

She shakes her head in vehemence, sending more tears skating down. “Never again, sir.”

10

Ash

“We’re totally doing this,” I tell Shrimp as I cap my matte-red lipstick. “I’m nervous, but this is for the best. You’ll be safe there. It’s quiet and huge. More space to fly.”

Shrimp titters and purrs in his birdy way as though he likes the idea.

Tonight, my hair is down and in loose, beach waves that hang just past my breasts. I actually put on makeup and made an effort. Winston craves to humiliate me for sport, but I refuse to let it be because of my looks while we’re out. I can dress up and be his arm candy for the night. Rather than put on the dress that’ll draw the eyes of my wicked stepbrothers and questions from my dad and Manda, I pull on a pair of denim shorts, slide into my brown flip flops, and opt for a black tank top. I’ve already packed my backpack with my undergarments that go with my black dress as well as the accessories to match. I even grab a pair of flats in case he chooses shoes that are too high to walk in.

Knowing Winston, that’s exactly what he’ll choose.

Once he sees how horribly uncoordinated I am in heels, he’ll gladly let me wear the flats instead.

I grab my garment bag, my backpack, and Shrimp’s cage. He whistles loudly, eager to go on an adventure. I make it down the stairs without an event and almost to the front door before Manda stops me.

“Where are you going out to, young lady? I thought you had work tonight?” I turn to find her staring at me with shrewd eyes. Her arms are crossed over her too-perfect tits, and her plump lips are pursed. I wonder who performs the plastic surgery on the plastic surgeon.

“I have a work thing.” I shrug. “I’ll be out late.”

She eyes Shrimp with a curled lip. “I seriously doubt FGM Services allows you to bring your bird.”

“I, uh, I . . .” I trail off wondering how to break this to her. “I don’t work for them anymore.”

“You didn’t get fired already, did you?” she demands. “I told you not to embarrass me!”

The way her face turns purple would be entertaining, except that she reminds me of Scout when she does it, and he scares the shit out of me.

“I didn’t embarrass you,” I respond in a rush. “In fact, you would be proud. I got recruited for a better job.”

Her eyebrows fly to her hairline. “Oh?”

“Mr. Constantine thought I did such a good job, he’s hired me to clean his apartment full time.” I lift my chin, forcing false confidence into my words. “I’m also to assist him some and attend events with him.”