Page 16 of Blood Mosaic

Then again, was it better to ignore a rich man’s daughter or make nice? She had no idea what was the best idea, so she quickly downed the drink the server set in front of her.

“Are you looking for a job?” Zara asked. “To pay the rent while the empire falls?”

Tatyana snorted. “Something like that.”

Zara narrowed her eyes. “Are you good at being a bookkeeper?”

“I’m very fucking good at it.” Maybe it was the vodka talking, but Tatyana wasn’t lying. She was very good at her job. She was actually underutilized at her last position.

“I like that.” Zara’s full red lips curled into a smile. “I like confidence.”

“My former boss said my ego was too big.”

“That sounds like a man.” Zara leaned forward. “Women need to be confident, don’t they? If we don’t believe in ourselves, who else will?”

No one. No one believed in her. Not anymore. “My grandmother used to say the same thing.” The sadness hit her like a sudden wave. “I’m sorry.” She reached for her purse. “I’m in a strange mood tonight, and I shouldn’t burden you with that when you’re out with your friends. I should go.”

Zara reached out and put a hand on her arm. “Don’t.”

“Okay.” Tatyana sat down and relaxed back into her chair. What a ridiculous idea. She should stay with Zara. Zara hadn’t made her sad; it was just her memories.

“You’re sad.” Zara kept a kind hand on her arm. “Did I say something?”

The story poured out before she could even think about the words escaping her mouth. “My grandparents passed away about six months ago. My grandmother had a heart attack, and then my grandfather died four days after her funeral. He just went to sleep and didn’t wake up the next morning.”

Zara’s hand was soft and soothing on her arm. “I’m so sorry.”

“I can’t believe I told you that.” Tatyana blinked back tears. “I don’t… I usually don’t talk about them.”

“They were important to you.” Zara cocked her head and moved her thumb back and forth over Tatyana’s wrist. “I’m jealous. My family isn’t very close.”

“That can be a blessing sometimes.” Tatyana wanted to pull her arm away, but she didn’t. It was as if she heard a voice in her mind, telling her that Zara was someone she could trust.

“I suppose you’re right.”

Tatyana laughed ruefully. “At least your father set up a business for you. You must be a little bit close.”

“Yes, he did.” Zara’s eyes sparkled. They were so beautiful. She was beautiful. Tatyana was so lucky that Zara even noticed her.

“You’re so kind.” Tatyana was starting to slur her words. “I shouldn’t have another drink. I’m feeling it.”

“Don’t be silly. I am enjoying our chat.”

Tatyana didn’t know why this stunning, glamorous woman was paying attention to her when there were far more interesting people at the club.

“Speaking of my father’s business though, I have an idea.” Zara leaned closer. “If you’re really fucking good at being a bookkeeper, I mean.”

“Yeah.” Tatyana nodded through the haze. “I am.”

Chapter Five

Tatyana woke up swathed in luxurious cotton sheets, her shoes missing and her wrinkled skirt stiff around her body. She sat up slowly, trying to piece together what had happened.

She didn’t have a headache. She didn’t feel any aches at all save for the uncomfortable sensation that occurs when you sleep in dress clothes.

“What the hell happened last night?” She remembered her meeting with the terrifying CEO of SMO International, the cool professionalism of Elene Beridze, and shaking hands…

Shaking hands on thirty million dollars.

---