Page 13 of Heathen

"Very well," he says, his accent thick as he steps partially back inside.

"How long will it take?" I ask, knowing I'll never get another chance. I doubt this man would open the door for me a second time.

"Not long," he assures me. "You look well qualified."

Every warning bell in my head is ringing, the sound almost loud enough for me to clap my hands over my ears to ease the sound, but instead of letting my gut lead me, I tell myself not to be a baby and take a step forward.

"Thank you," I tell him when he holds the door open for me.

Cool air washes over me, instant relief from the heat radiating outside, but then the door snaps closed, covering us in the darkness that I know seems worse after being outside in the sunlight.

A red glow is all that lights up the inside, and my skin immediately begins to crawl. I look over my shoulder, taking note of the EXIT sign above the door he just closed. Somehowthat makes me feel a little better, as if the building being up to code in that respect means the business inside is completely legit.

"Dima is this way," the massive man says as he shuffles past me. I take note that he made every effort to get around me in the narrow hallway without touching me, and it's another token in his favor.

Stupidly, I follow the man, wondering when it would be a good time to ask him about Alena, but somehow the stars align with his next words.

"How did you hear about A-1 Janitorial?"

"Alena told me about it. She assured me I'd make more money here than at my current job."

The big guy stops to face me just as the hallway opens up into a larger area.

"I have no doubt you'll make more money," he says, and I hear a sinister edge to his tone.

I dart my eyes all around but the shelves full of cleaning supplies don't make me feel any better.

"Who is this?" a man asks, making me focus on him.

"I haven't caught her name, but she saysAlenatold her about thejanitorialjob."

"I think this is a mistake," I mutter, turning back in the direction we came after hearing the inflection in the big guy's tone.

"It's not a mistake, beauty," the smaller guy says as he steps around to block my path. "Let's have a chat, okay?"

He waves his arm toward what appears to be an office, and to his credit, he doesn't touch me either.

He gestures toward an empty seat on the other side of a small desk, and although I hesitate, I do eventually sit down.

"You're American," he says as he takes a seat across from me behind the desk.

"Correct."

"We don't have many Americans applying for this job."

I blink in his direction rather than speaking because I don't have a clue as to what he expects me to say.

"Alena told you about the job?"

"Yes."

"She spoke to you of what it entails?"

"Yes."

"And this is something you want to do?"

I drop my eyes to the paperwork on his desk, but the man is astute and quickly covers the information on the forms with his hands as he leans forward.

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