Page 25 of Shift in the Blood
“Got it.”
“Didier put an ad in the paper for a secretary,” Neville said. “I was just out of college, trying to get a job with an architectural firm, and having no luck at all. He made me an offer of a salary that it would have taken me at least ten years with a firm to hit. And that was it. I took the job. Now, I wouldn’t change it. Working for him is interesting.”
“Do you know what he does?”
“You mean the paintings?”
I nodded.
“Have you seen them?”
Shaking my head, I looked out the window. “No. He said he’d like to save them for when I had time to appreciate them.”
“You’re gonna need it. They are amazing.” Neville’s voice held none of the humor it had only moments before.
“I can’t wait to see them.”
“I think it’s his life’s work.” Neville turned the car into my complex.
“You sure you want to wait?”
He nodded. “I’ll be fine. Take your time. And here.” He handed me a card. “If you need help moving anything, text me.”
I studied the card as I got out of the car. Neville Standford, and a number. That was all that was listed on the card. This whole vampire gig was kind of mysterious. I found that I kind of liked it. It was… sexy. That was the word. Everything about Didier was sexy.
Keeping this a professional relationship was going to be difficult.
I shook my head, trying to get into the right space to talk to Carina. I checked my phone. She should be home by now. When I came up the walk, I got my keys out of my purse, and opened the door.
“Carina?” I called out. She wasn’t in the living room or the kitchen.
“Back here.” I heard her from her room.
I stopped into my room to toss my dress on my bed, and continued on to Carina’s room at the end of the hall. Opening the door, I saw clothes and books strewn about. Carina was bent over a box. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like?”
“I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the door frame. Don’t fight. Keep it business. Keep it business.
“I’m packing.”
“Good. We’re going to a great place. It’s huge. You can have the cottage out back if you want—”
“I’m not going with you.” Carina stopped and stood up then, meeting my eyes.
“Come again?”
“I’m not going with you.” She took the time to enunciate each word.
“The hell you’re not.” I pushed off the doorframe. “You’re coming with me and that’s that.”
“No, it’s not. I’m done with my classes. I can graduate now. I don’t need to do the walk. I’ve been applying for jobs all semester, and I got one that I want.”
“What job is that?”
“Water quality inspector in a state park in Washington. I’ll be based out of Seattle.” Carina was an environmental studies major.”
“You’re not going to Washington.” My response was automatic.
