Page 76 of The Barbarian King's Assassin (Magic and Kings 1)

“Which is why someone is willing to pay a ridiculous sum to get rid of him.”

“He’s agreed to pay us even more to keep him alive,” I pointed out.

“You really think this is a good gig?” he asked.

“I do, and just think, if we do well, we might make enough in his employment over the next few years to truly retire in style.”

“I’m not wearing a uniform,” he grumbled.

“As if you’d ever be someone so mundane. Besides, why would my father be wearing a uniform to visit his daughter?”

“Is that really the role I should take? You do realize, as your father, I’d have to demand the king give me satisfaction given what he’s doing to my sweet, innocent daughter.”

I bit my lip but still snickered. “That might be pushing it. No one would mistake me as an innocent, but I am accepted as his mistress, and as my parent, you would be within your right to expect some kind of advantage from it.”

Jrijori rubbed his chin. “The greedy father. That would work as a cover and allow me access to most places I wanted. Not to mention, grumble enough and anyone plotting against him will have a looser tongue around me.”

“We should let Konstantin know of our ruse.”

“You and this Konstantin, how close are you?” A blunt question.

“He’s just a job.”

“Whose bed you share.”

“Not usually. I started out on the floor.”

“Then wiled your way into his bed. Smart. Just don’t let him get clingy like that widow I was seeing.” Jrijori liked the gifts, even the companionship aspect, but when she demanded he move in and leave his spinster daughter, he broke things off.

“We’re not having sex.” I remained firm on that point.

“Why not?”

“I am focusing on the job.”

“Your job is earning funds for retirement. What bigger coup than being financed by a king?”

“I am a killer, not a whore.”

“So kill him after you’ve milked him for a chunk of his wealth.”

“No.”

“Why not? Is it that he’s not interested in you like that?”

“He’s interested. I think.” For all his actions, I wasn’t sure if I read more into them than I should.

“Youthink?” Jrijori ogled me as if I wore sauce on my face. “He went practically insane when you were struck down. He sent his men out to comb the area for anyone who didn’t belong.”

“They didn’t go a good job obviously, given you’re here,” I replied dryly.

That earned me a snort. “Old castles have all kinds of hidden passages. It’s easy to stay out of sight. Although you weren’t easy to see alone. The man rarely left your side.”

“He probably felt guilty since the arrow was meant for him.”

“Did he feel guilty when he jumped off a cliff to go after you?”

“He rappelled down, and he’d do that for anyone who’d fallen.” Stupid heroic type.