Three Nights in Greece by Ciar Cullen Page A

mean. I’ll make him believe I will, but I won’t,” Layla stated emphatically.
    Sarah nodded. “Of course! That goes without saying. Ms. Swann.”
    “Call me Layla, please.”
    “Layla, I’ve read the file on Qatar. Perhaps it’s a little soon and you’d like to stay closer to home? I could speak to Mr. Colin again— he wouldn’t hold it against you, I’m sure.”
    “No, please. I’m ready. It’s not relevant.” Layla squeezed her eyes shut for a few seconds, forcing away the quick jolt of pain as the memories flooded back. “Tell me more about this job. I’ve heard Colin’s a ball-buster. What’s involved in the training?” she asked, focusing on the job at hand to change the subject. “I’m still tired from Munich. Not much fun sitting in a car for ten days. What a bust.”
    “That bad lead wasn’t your fault. Of course, Mr. Colin understands that and he won’t take it out on you. He’s demanding, but fair.”
    “He’s the devil himself, isn’t he, Sarah? You’re devoted to him, though, so you’ll never admit it. I know your type—brilliant, underpaid, overworked and overlooked.”
    Sarah howled with laughter. “Brilliant, yes. Underpaid and overlooked, hardly. And yes, I’m devoted to Kevin and the firm. Layla, you’ve been sorely misinformed. Kevin’s not a ball-buster, honestly. He pays well and expects the best from his best detectives. You have the makings to be one of the best.”
    Layla sat up straight. Don’t blow this. The past is the past .
    “Look, I’m sorry Sarah. I didn’t mean disrespect to Mr. Colin or the firm, honestly. Employees sometimes gripe.”
    Sarah smiled. “Relax, no offense taken. Don’t believe everything you hear, especially from within the ranks. Not everyone is at your level, and there’s going to be jealousy.”
    Layla smiled and nodded. “Thanks. For everything, Sarah. For taking me on, suggesting me for this job. You won’t regret it.”
    “Actually, Kevin picked you personally, so you can thank him yourself.” She grabbed her coat, made her way to the door, and then turned in mid-stride. “Woman to woman—watch yourself, Ms. Swann. Kevin and his female employees…well he has a tendency to, hmmm…”
    “What? He’s not one to take advantage of his position? Because if he thinks—”
    “No, no, no. In fact, quite the opposite. He’s had to let some employees go because they…well…developed crushes on him, shall we say? And that’s being kind. He never, ever, mixes business and pleasure. Never mind, you’ll make your own judgment. Just don’t be late. Kevin doesn’t tolerate tardiness.”
    Sarah smiled and left the apartment.
    “Yes, ma’am.” Layla saluted the door.
     
    ***
     
    Layla glanced at her watch. Despite the hour, she decided she had to have a cup of coffee immediately or die. She knew she was taking a risk. “Kevin doesn’t tolerate tardiness,” she repeated to herself as she ran into the coffee shop.
    She felt more nervous by the minute as a young couple in front of her took their time ordering elaborate coffee concoctions. Layla tapped her foot and glanced around, hoping someone else would speak up and speed things along. Then she saw the man in line next to her, his stare searing into her like a knife. She turned to ask him to curb his rudeness. And froze.
    Six feet tall, black artfully-disheveled hair, bright blue eyes, and a mouth that screamed “kiss me.” Her mother would have called him “black Irish.” Damn . Still, he was staring a little rudely, and she wasn’t one to give a man a break, even one this hot.
    “Hello,” he said softly with a slight smirk.
    Layla jumped, not expecting him to speak. “Yes, hello. Whatever.” She turned to the counter girl. “A double, tall, grande, or whatever the hell you call it. The big one. With room for milk.” She turned back to Irish. “Whatever happened to small, medium, and large?”
    His eyes grew huge and she thought they actually twinkled. At the