Page 13 of A Love So Deadly
This time he doesn’t say ‘I see’. He doesn’t say anything at all. For the longest time.
“Are you available twenty-four seven?”
I stare at him, the question throwing me.
I’m about to push back for more on that, but they’d asked Kayla that, and about family. I’ve got a brother and parents in Arizona I don’t see as often as I should, but I don’t think I’ll tell Lucian that if he asks me.
Kayla was an orphan, grew up in the system, put herself through college where I met her, and they asked her about family ties. Seemingly, they liked her without those familial ties.
I remember her talk about it, how she bristled when I told her I thought it was weird and not at all what anyone asks in an interview. It’s not their business.
She told me they wanted to see if she’d commit to them completely.
Control, you mean,I said.
Commitment,she said.
Red flag,I said.
I look up at Lucian. “Yes.”
“I keep odd hours. I’m a night owl. Would your family be okay with that?” Again, his gaze moves over me, like he’s touching me slowly.
So I go the Kayla route. “I don’t have family.”
“Boyfriend?”
“You’re too old for me.” He’s probably thirty-five, only ten years older, but my mouth won’t quit.
Another tiny smile flashes, and my knees threaten to collapse.
“Oh, I most definitely am,” he says. “When can you start?”
I stare at him. He’s managed to render me speechless.
“The job has one caveat. There are events where I need a plus one, that’d be you. I’ll take care of the wardrobe. Fill out the paperwork and?—”
“Don’t you want to ask questions before you hire me?”
“I’m not hiring you. Yet.”
There’s a knock at his door, and he gestures to the black sofa and the table in a corner. Then he opens the door, and hands me the papers and the drink.
“I’ll be back.”
Lucian disappears. He’s silent and moves with sinuous grace. The moment the door closes, I set everything down and grip the sofa as my legs shake. I want to search in here, but he’s not going to have a file marked murder victims or meals for Cthulhu in here. And I’m betting the spacious, tasteful office is wired for video.
The glass in my hand should be slightly warmed from his holding it, but it’s not. And that makes me set it down. I’dprobably throw it if there weren’t the possibility of hidden cameras.
I fill in the paperwork. Lying where I need to but sticking close to the truth.
When I look at the part for my address, I pause. I don’t want to put down my home address, since it’s the same as Kayla’s. In case they flag it.
Actually, I don’t have to. I have all my mail delivered to the nail salon on the corner because otherwise things go missing. Kayla always used our address or had packages sent to the nail salon under my name. So I fill in the other address and everything else I need to. When I’m done, I breathe a sigh of relief.
He’s still not back, and my nerve endings start to twitch, and the drink calls to me over and over.
Finally, I give in. I pick up the glass and sniff it, but I’m not about to drink. It’s not like I can smell?—
