I Owe the Tyrant Four Little Heirs novel Chapter 149

[You can leave, too.]

Niamh nearly jumped for joy.

After work, she stopped by the department store to buy new dolls for Phaedra and Aurelia, then picked up fresh fruits and vegetables at the market before heading home. The quadruplets were ecstatic to see her, especially Aurelia, who practically smothered her face in kisses.

After dinner, Niamh went to her cleaning job at the mysterious Mr. Yarnell’s house. When she was finished, she left a container of homemade beef for him. She also stuck a new note on the fridge: [Sir, your curtains and bedding need washing. Would it be alright if I came during the day after the holiday to take care of them?]

Before leaving, she drew the final diagonal slash through four vertical lines on the paper tacked to the wall. Another tally mark complete. Five cleanings, two hundred and fifty dollars earned.

Shortly after Niamh left, Jareth arrived home. The sight of the beef and the note on the fridge instantly lifted his spirits. He picked up a pen and wrote a large, bold “OKAY” on her pink sticky note.

After a shower, Jareth poured himself a glass of whiskey and sat on his balcony, staring out into the night. But his mind inevitably drifted back to Niamh, and the peaceful feeling evaporated, replaced by a familiar restlessness.

He pulled out his phone and sent her a voice message. “Ms. Lynn, starting tomorrow, you will be responsible for my breakfast. You will also be responsible for cleaning my office. The cleaning must be done and breakfast must be on my desk before I arrive.”

Niamh, who was in the middle of washing the children’s clothes, listened to the message and slammed the soapy shirt down into the basin.

“Jareth, you are a son of a bitch!” she seethed, sending a spray of soapy water into her own face. He knew she had four children to care for, and now he wanted her to come in even earlier?

Unbeknownst to her, Keir and Jove were standing just outside the laundry room door. They had heard Jareth’s message and their mother’s furious curse.

The two boys exchanged a look, then retreated to their room, shutting and locking the door behind them. They hopped onto the bed and sat facing each other.

“Jove, what are we going to do?” Keir asked, his small fists clenched and his face a mask of anger.

“When do we do it?”

“This weekend.”

“Deal. Should we include Phaedra and Aurelia?” Keir asked.

“Let’s.”

“Why?”

Keir found Aurelia’s constant crying incredibly annoying.