Page 37 of Blood & Snow
It kind of burns me how he hasn’t even thanked me for that.
Just the one-time payment for an "acceptable" job.
"Acceptable improvement," he announces when the scene meets his standards.
"Next time, I don't want to stand here supervising you."
Igor and Ivan gather their supplies and head toward the exit.
I begin packing my own materials, assuming the evening has ended and I'll be heading home to explain another late night to Irina.
The lies accumulate daily now, becoming more elaborate as my sister's suspicions deepen.
When I missed a spot of blood on my own shirt sleeve, I had to fib about a nose bleed that never happened.
I hate lying to her.
With my stuff packed up, I turn toward the exit, assuming Xander will stop me to give me my payment, but when he calls out, I'm surprised by his words.
"Not you," Xander says, and I look over my shoulder.
"You're coming with me tonight."
"Why? The cleanup is finished and your menunderstand the basic protocols now."
I gesture toward the spotless warehouse.
"There's nothing else for me to do here."
"The Brotherhood has increased surveillance lately. Remember the little escapade in the car last week?"
He opens the warehouse door and cold air rushes inside.
"You'll stay at my apartment until the situation stabilizes."
I've done a few jobs this week—all in my own clothing and not the expensive items he purchased, and now he has the nerve to suddenly think I'm in danger?
I shudder to think of what he really wants, especially after the hungry way his eyes devoured me in those dresses.
So I do the only thing I can do—I resist.
"I can't disappear without explanation," I protest.
"Irina will panic if I don't come home tonight."
"Tell her you're working extended shifts at the hotel. Tell her you're staying with a colleague. Tell her whatever story maintains the fiction you've created."
He doesn’t leave me any wiggle room to argue with him.
"But you're not going home tonight."
The expression on his face makes it impossible for me to argue anymore.
He has a gun, and he is way bigger than me.
Even if I screamed for help, no one would come.
Igor and Ivan are nice enough guys, but they work for Xander.
