Ruthless King

Jilly scowled and put the book down.

Why did people keep insisting on interrupting her?

Staring at the woman standing across the book trolley from her, she frowned. “What?”

“Is that any way to speak to me?” the woman screeched.

Several people in the library turned around to look at them.

Oh shit.

Oh crap.

“Margaret. I didn’t see you there!” She smiled big at the other woman.

“You didn’t see me because you were busy reading the book you are supposed to be shelving!” Margaret replied, pointing a bony finger at her. “I came to find you because you’ve been gone for half an hour!”

“Have I? I was just checking the book over. I thought the pages looked crinkled.” Besides, it wasn’t like she’d gotten a lunch break. She’d had to eat while keeping an eye on the front desk, because Margaret had gone for a long lunch with her sister. The same sister who just happened to be a New Orleans City Councillor.

Smelled fishy, right? That her sister had gotten the head librarian role?

Or maybe Jilly just had a case of sour grapes since she’d also applied for the job.

And failed.

Margaret’s eyes narrowed. Her lined face jiggled as she moved her head from side to side. “I blame myself, Jillian.”

Uh-oh.

No conversation ever went well when it started with Margaret blaming herself.

“You do?” Jilly asked. Why did she have to start reading the latest book by CJ Bennett?

Idiot.

“Yes. I’ve given you too much unsupervised time. I thought you could handle it when clearly you’re out of your depth.”

Like. Hell.

The last thing she needed was more supervised time. Margaret was fine leaving her and the other library team members alone when there was something else she wanted to do.

Like go for a long lunch. Or head out early so she didn’t miss bingo.

However, when she was around, she always found something to criticize.

Jillian, stop day dreaming.

Jillian, smile more. Stand straighter. Shelve faster. Be quieter.

No one else ever seemed to get into trouble with Margaret like Jilly did. For some reason, she liked to pick on her.

It could be because you’re reading instead of shelving.

Or maybe because you applied for the same job she did.

But the last thing she wanted was Margaret constantly peering over her shoulder.

How could she sneak peeks at all of the books she wanted to read if Margaret was with her all the time?