I chuckle quietly as I walk back to my car. I feel this little idea start nagging my brain, so I pull out my phone to make a call.
“Kolya.”
“Yes, boss?”
“Find out everything you can about the building at 652 Greenwood.”
“Right away, boss. New property to acquire?” Emma’s building is outside the six-block radius from the warehouse that Kolya is already looking into, but that’s not why I’m interested.
“Maybe. I want to know every detail so I can make a decision. I need everything you can find on the building by lunch tomorrow,” I tell him.
“You got it, boss,” Kolya responds and we hang up.
Kolya is impressive at digging up even the most obscure details on something or someone. He’ll find me what I need, even if I don’t know yet what I’m looking for yet.
CHAPTER SEVEN
EMMA
I WOKE UP this morning to the most horrible looking bruise on my left cheek. It didn’t look too bad last night, it was just red and sore, but today it’s the nastiest shade of purple I have ever seen. I think there may actually be three or four different shades of purple coloring my cheek. The center of it looks almost black, while a color that is closer to lilac borders my eyes. That guy last night hit me harder than I thought he did.
I call the hospice house to check on Gran. I’m only working a lunch shift today, so I tell Kristin that I’ll be over this afternoon when I’m done with work. After taking a shower and making myself a large cup of coffee, I pull out my makeup bag and figure out what to do to cover up the bruise.
I don’t generally wear a lot of makeup; only a tinted moisturizer, eye liner, and some mascara. However, I do keep some concealer on hand for those dark circles I get if I don’t get enough sleep.
As I’m digging through my makeup bag, I surprise myself when I find a compact of cream to powder foundation. I vaguely remember buying some about a month ago when I was out shopping, before I discovered the tinted moisturizer that I now use. This stuff, plus the concealer and color corrector should do the trick for helping my face look more normal.
About twenty minutes and several layers later, my bruise is nearly completely covered. It looks pretty good, and it will have to do for work today. I pop two painkillers in my mouth, wash them down with the last of my coffee, and head out the door to work.
I get to work and say hello to Boris as usual. When he looks up at me, his eyes go wide and he runs over to me.
“Emma, what happen to you?” Boris asks, grabbing me by the shoulders.
“What do you mean Boris? I’m fine,” I tell him.
“Your face. What happened to your cheek?” he asks again, pointing to the shadow I couldn’t cover up with makeup.
“I’m fine Boris. It was an accident,” I tell him.
“Emma, I see the bruise. Something happened. Tell me or I go upstairs and get Marina and she will get it out of you.”
“No. Please don’t bother Marina,” I beg him before hesitating to continue. “…A stranger grabbed me and attacked on my way home from work last night.”
“Why are you at work today? You should stay home to rest.”
“Boris, I’m fine. I did the best I could to cover everything up, so hopefully nobody will ask questions. I want to be here. Besides, I need the money to help pay Gran’s hospice bills,” I tell him.
“You only work lunch today, then take tomorrow off. I still pay you,” Boris insists.
“I’m only supposed to work lunch today, anyway. I’m going to see Gran later.”
“Good. Are you sure you okay to work today?” Boris’ accent gets really thick when he starts getting angry or upset about something.
“I’m fine, Boris. Really.”
Boris nods his head reluctantly and mumbles something quietly under his breath as he walks back to the kitchen. It’s almost opening time, so I hurry to help get the last of the prep done before we unlock the doors.
Boris asked me to keep the corner table by the kitchen open for some guests today. It’s about an hour into the lunch service when the hostess seats a party of four at the table. The first thing I notice is how attractive those at the table are. I take a deep breath before I head in their direction. It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many beautiful men at once.
