Humble Servant

HUMBLE SERVANT JENNA KENT CONTENTS Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 About Author Copyright © 2023 by Jenna Kent All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. Created with Vellum 1 Emma “No, not that house. Assign me anywhere but the Crawford estate.” Jessie moans at the front desk. Leon, our boss frowns at her. I’ve been on this job for two months and all I ever hear when someone gets assigned to the Crawford estate is a bunch of moaning and complaining. What’s the big deal about that house? “Since no one will volunteer for two weeks, I have to rotate y’all out. It’s two weeks at the estate with weekends off. Do the job, go home. It’s not like the pay is lousy Jessie, come on!” She groans, and for a moment, I think she’s contemplating quitting. “I’ll take it.” I say. Leon and Jessie stare at me for a moment, but the smile curving on Jessie’s face tells me she’s happy to get out of the assignment. I need the extra money, anyway. I’m basically homeless, living out of my car in tent city. Inflation is through the roof, and I don’t make enough money to qualify for an apartment. Three times the rent and all. Do the leasing agents even make three times the rent? “Are you sure Emma? You’re a rookie and a damn good employee. The only reason I haven’t assigned you is because the Crawford estate has a habit of causing our high turnover rate. Let Jessie take it, she’s worked there before.” Jessie shakes her head. “Oh, hell no. She’s got it.” Jessie winks at me. Now, that makes me nervous. Jessie, just willingly giving me the job, when it pays double our normal rate. Why do they keep this place on contract if it’s so horrible? Money, that’s why. “No, Leon. I could use the money, anyway. I’m tired of tent city.” He sighs and nods because he understands. He just got out of tent city two weeks ago. That community shower is a nasty bitch. Thankfully, Leon doesn’t make a fuss that I shower and do my laundry here, because he knows how it is. “Alright, I just worry about you is all.” I feign a smile but narrow my eyes at him a bit. He has somewhat of a crush on me, but he knows I’m gay, so he doesn’t push it. He hands me the keys and assignment contract. I skim over it, looking at the base pay. Yep, it’s double the rate. I’m not turning down double pay for the same job I do every day. This rate would get me out of tent city for at least a month. And maybe I’ll be able to handle it long term enough to get out of tent city permanently. It can’t be that bad. “Just, stay out of her way.” Leon tells me. Her way? I raise an eyebrow at him. “She’s a grumpy big thing. Big woman, but self-conscious and keeps to herself because of her burn scars. She doesn’t like anyone looking at her. Keep a low profile, get the job done, and that’s it. Oh, and by the way, it’s a live in position for two weeks. So, no tent city for you.” I smile at him. Shoot, that’s a plus. I’d have to shower here at the office before I went in if I was stuck at tent city. I sign the contract quickly and make my way to the door with the keys to the estate in hand. A warm bed. That’s all I can think about. It may not be the best bed, but it will do for me. And I don’t care about burn scars or that grumpy part. I’m sure she’s lovely if someone took the time to get to know her. I pull up the map on my gps system in my car and hit the road. I’m supposed to arrive today to get settled in before my shift starts tomorrow. My car is loaded with crap, because between this and the storage unit I pay for, this is all I have. The place is a good hour away from the office out in the boondocks. There isn’t a grocery store or shopping center for miles. But when I finally arrive, the house is insanely big. Oh shit, what did I get myself into? Who needs a house this big? I guess, when Leon and Jessie were talking about an estate, they meant money. Big money. I pull in front of the house where a butler stands, waiting for me. He scowls at my junky car when I park it in front of the house. I get out and approach him. He’s in uniform, an elegant suit and tie that looks like it’s choking him. “Keep that trash in the back.” He snaps at me. I frown at him for a moment, but keep my mouth shut. Because I need the money. I’ll grin and bear anything at this point. “You can leave it here for now. Let me take you inside to meet the boss.” Jeez, already? I bite my lip and follow behind him, carrying my purse. The mansion is huge. I can’t clean this place alone; it would take a full day per floor. He leads me through the first floor, taking me to her office. He knocks briefly before opening the door. “Come in.” She says. Her voice has a husky tone to it. I smile, following in behind him. He walks me over to the desk where her back is turned, standing next to a chair. Oh shit. She’s big. Like, big, big. She stands almost seven feet tall, and she’s built like a linebacker.