Page 37 of Ruthless Creatures
His chuckle is low and mirthless. “That’s why I sent you for the job. Everybody talks when you’re the one asking questions.”
It’s true. I’m the best in the business.
Usually, that kind of compliment would give me a certain sense of satisfaction, if not outright pride. Today, however, it makes me depressed.
I don’t have to wonder why. I know the reason.
That reason has raven-black hair and full red lips and eyes the color of a stormy sea, blue-gray and moody. That reason is sweet and funny and sharp and sexy. And honest. And brave.
And a hell of a lot tougher than she thinks.
From the first time I saw her, that reason kicked me right in the guts. Or made me feel like it, anyway.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For making me feel something. It’s been a long time since someone did. I wasn’t sure I could anymore.”
Those ten seconds of conversation have affected me more than anything else in years. Decades. It’s burned into my brain. My ears. My heart.
I didn’t think I still had a heart, but I must. That hollow space in my chest I’ve had for so long is filled with wild beating.
Because of her.
“I’ll follow up on the other leads. Get back to you as soon as I have anything.”
“You do that. And Kage?”
“Yes, boss?”
“Ya rasschityvayu na vas.”I’m counting on you.
“Ya znayu.”I know.
Picturing Natalie’s face, I close my eyes.
If anyone ever finds out I didn’t do the job I was sent to do, we’re both dead.
TEN
NAT
I can’t sleep that night. I toss and turn restlessly, stalked by dark thoughts of what could be in David’s safety deposit box, why he wouldn’t have told me he had one, and why he’d go to the odd lengths of mailing me the key instead of just giving it to me.
Strangest of all, why there would be no note of explanation.
Like, what, I’m just supposed to figure it out? If Chris hadn’t clued me in, I don’t know how I would’ve identified it.
It’s all disturbingly mysterious. I’ve had quite enough mysteries to last me an entire lifetime, thank you very much.
Also scratching around the inside of my skull like hungry little rats are thoughts of Kage.
A debt collector? What exactly does that mean?
I’m not sure I want to know. Part of me does, but another part of me—the wiser part—is telling me to back away slowly.
He’s gone now, so it doesn’t matter anyway.
