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“Are you blushing?” she asks.
I scoff and wave her off, grabbing my bag and throwing it back on. “I gotta get to my appointment.”
Gretta blocks the doorway. “Who is he?”
“No one.” I try to angle myself past her.
“Zora, I tell you everything,” she whines.
“Yeah, and I tell you the bare minimum. That’s why wework, Gretta.” I finally dance around her, but her doe-eyed look of hurt makes me stop in my effort to get away. I blow out a breath. “He’s a Boss I’m digging up information on for a client.”
Gretta’s eyes light up. “That sounds exciting.” Then she frowns. “Did I ruin it?”
I shake my head. “No, of course not. It’s actually a good thing you stopped us.”
“Stopped you? From what?” She wiggles her brows.
My cheeks heat, and I curse.
“Aha!” She points excitedly at my face. “See, youareblushing.”
“I’m leaving,” I announce with determination and sweep down the stairs. “And I don’t blush,” I grumble as I pull open the front door.
“What’s his name?” she shouts after me, chasing me down the stairs.
I wave goodbye and jog outside, immersing myself in the crowd before she can catch me. I heave a breath and mouth a silent prayer of thanks before my mind sizzles with dread.I kissed a Boss. I chew on my lip.Not for a job. Not for blood. I wipe sweat off the back of my neck and grimace.I purposefully kissed a Boss, and…I shake my head in denial, my face scrunching in discontent.And I want to do it again.
Chapter Five
IwaveroutsideTheBeast’s living area, Felix at my back. I sold my dress — keeping only the one Gretta gifted — and ate a piece of bread on the way here, but my stomach now squeezes so uneasily I might hack it up.
My mind replays my shared moment with The Prince, and I bite down on my tongue. Hard.No more of that, I demand of myself.
The Beast finally acknowledges my presence, his eyes lifting from a notebook in his lap, his navy mask fastened tightly. “And less than 24 hours later, here she is.” His face lifts with a smile. “I assume you have what I want.”
I nod and step further into the room. “They read threads.”
The Beast folds his hands over his chest. “Explain.”
“They offer to pick out people’s pasts.” I roll my tongue between my teeth, then I scratch the back of my head. “Theyhelppeople.”
The Beast’s expression darkens. “Is that all?”
No. I fidget.How many threads could I receive by describing what The Prince looked like beneath his mask?My heart beats faster, a little voice in the back of my head begging me not to do so. I scowl. “That’s what they do.”
The Beast leans back in his chair. “Very well.” He stares into his fireplace. “I was hoping they’d have a product I could easily lift, tipping the scales in my favor. This, however, was not expected. I need them gone.”
“Gone?” I blurt, and I twist my fingers together.Get a hold of yourself.
“Yes, I realize I told you to leave them unharmed, but I’ve changed my mind.” The Beast pivots his gaze to me. “I want them dead by tomorrow night.”
I nod. I almost open my big mouth to say I can get it done sooner, but I hesitate.Can I kill The Prince?I shift my weight in discomfort.
Chains clink in the hallway, and I turn my attention to them. My breath sticks to my throat as a line of young girls walk in, shackles snaking between their ankles and keeping them from running. They’re inhumanly skinny, their ribs poking through garments so thin, their nipples can be seen.
Bile builds in my throat. “So it’s true,” I mutter, “you sell people.”
I don’t mean for anyone to hear me, but I jump as The Beast’s breath tickles my shoulder. “I don’t know about number five. What do you think?” He asks.
