The mafia King and his bride flower

bb

h. The sweltering heat has been murderous, but a cool shower wil

ause these pep talks stopped working days ago. "Once I have enough mo

pants would have been easier than this torture. I toss the clothes int

mach, but it's making a good start on the sweat and desperation wh

around my body. I lean against the counter

rt, but you n

horts and a baggy t-shirt befo

rom work early? Is ever

heir bedroom. Mum is sprawled across t

completed the garden and it looks amazing! He's hired m

ood idea? You don't know this person, and what happens

h knots,

oes wrong, then

e's hired a

some money, and do I look

u don't look suspicious. I worry about these job

e worried, but I stand t

me, and there's no risk of gardening in the n

e you'll b

romi

e you house-

d be a long-term arrangeme

ht." S

g and head over. I'll s

hen you get there so

message when I'

and hug me in case

't say that

her chest and I gasp in pain, but this doesn't stop

s that

e. It's been a long day, I

? It, hm..." She inhales a lon

ice way of saying, was

, it's just a

go before I'm sacked

und like a bad idea.

y me for lounging arou

"lounge around at th

, I'll see

pyjamas, a book I'm half keen on and a sketch pad. I ho

alise I've forgotten my colouring pencils. I glance at the stairs and shake my head.

just have to

odbye," I shout as

*

in as I wander across the road. I input the code and gl

. I inhale the sweet smell of lavender as I descend the ladder. I hope t

ith a cup between his hands. H

o Dan

" I

I thought you weren't co

g to come, and so I'm

waves me over. He removes a folder from

tails. There's a checklist to note everything i

ght."

e are coming to harvest. Nobody can walk

me feel better,

y."

watch the plants. Do

should I ask?"

talkie on the benc

n the ot

e B

kay."

to stay, or wi

n do

reathe when you say

r. He shoots me a vibrant grin and climbs the ladder. He drops the do

k bottom, but it's

There's a double-size bed to the right and a desk oppos

k timesheet. I complete the timesheet and read the schedule.

climb into bed. Thankfully, the sheets smell

*

hit the stop button and watch the pipes. I inhale a sharp breath and

oodness!

erratic heartbeat. It still beats like a jackhammer, so I slid

or a mysterious drug dealer, and I'm not sure if it scar

hale a sharp breath and bite my lip. The Boss is crouch

amusement swirls w

have you b

ake thirty

I fumble wit

and I didn't wa

nk y

d the plants were expensive, and now I'm curious because there

to do this, and what's w

unpredi

ght."

keep some space between us because he's unstable,

a lot of

nk y

heek to stop myself from groaning. Looking at the

other plant is placed in the pebbles, and I frown. I don't understan

se from seeds or

in, which is why it nee

Where did you l

nto the po

asking so man

p. "I'm sorry, I'm curi

ath and adjusts the pe

degree i

" I smile. "Why'd

bout them. Perhaps you can read

ve a book

be a good st

ght t

I glance over my shoulder and catch his intense gaze. My heart p

run out of

urns as I ste

s your

's not im

an referring to you as 'The

consideration." He sighs. "I lik

se 'The Boss' on o

awl into bed and peek over the blankets. His