Page 17 of Shift in the Blood
“You got it. Good luck.” He offered me a thumbs up.
“Go away.”
His laughter trailed him down the hall as he left.
It was all I could do not to run to the room where Clara was.
Chapter Seven
Clara
Ipaced back and forth. Didier had offered me an entire day to think about it, but when I took a good look at the state of my life, there really wasn’t a great deal to consider.
My former steady gig was gone. My former boss was trying to kill me. I needed to eat. My sister needed to eat and be safe.
Patronage it was.
The door opened, and Didier stepped in. “You wanted to see me?”
Nodding, I moved toward the window, which had the curtains drawn. I’d peeked out of the window earlier. For being a window in a vampire’s house—I still couldn’t get over that—it wasn’t covered, or blacked out, or anything you might expect. Nor was it a castle. This looked like a nice neighborhood with pretty bougie houses. Far above where Carina and I lived.
But no dungeon, which was a good thing in my book.
“I did. Will you sit down?”
He moved into the room, his gait smooth and fluid. He sat in a chair near the window. “What did you wish to talk about?”
“I’m going to accept your offer.”
His face remained impassive, although I could feel a sense of pleasure from him. “Why don’t you sound happy about it?”
“Because I don’t have any choice,” I said immediately.
“Choice is exactly what you have.” His response was just as immediate.
“No.” I shook my head to negate his comment. “No, I don’t. You know the deal. I’m not safe to go up against someone like Maxim. I need your help. Your protection. So does Carina. Which means only one path. No choice.”
“I will protect you and your sister from Maxim Popov regardless of what you decide. Regardless of whether you accept my commission.”
“You’re still going to steal the paintings?”
“I’ve been planning it for a long time.” His eyes went distant. “Having forgeries to replace them would give me more time, more freedom. But in the end, I will have those paintings.” He looked at me then, his eyes in focus once more. “When I made the offer to you, I was not aware of the depth of your involvement with Maxim Popov. He’s a vile creature, and he’s taken advantage of you. If you wish to be free of him, I’ll help you.”
“What do you want in return?”
Didier didn’t reply right away. He merely looked at me, and the intensity of his gaze made my body heat. My heart sped up, and I could feel tingling all over my body, with a warmth that began in my core, and worked its way outward.
All within about ten seconds.
God, he was good.
Imagine what he’d be like with his clothes off, my traitorous brain suggested.
Hell’s bells. I needed to stop this immediately. Sexy times only complicated things.
“Nothing.”
“What?”
