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CHAPTER13
“So you’re fired, but still employed?” Tasha asks.
“Apparently. I don’t know what the hell I did.”
“Do you know what he wants from you? Do you know what the new job is? Do you think heknows?”Tasha whispers the last part into the phone.
“If he knew, I’d probably be dead. But otherwise, no, I have no idea what he wants.” The idea that hedoesknow and just wants to fuck with my head first certainly crossed my mind. Repeatedly.
I’m unpacking. Given the new development, I decided to put some distance between my real life and my current one and take Pierre up on his duplex offer. It’s actually a gorgeous place, a converted factory space in an industrial area. I look over at the new phone I purchased earlier today. It’s an older iPhone, prepaid. It’s currently charging. I gave Tasha the number, but told her not to call me on it unless someone was dying,andthere was something I could do about it. I don’t want her name associated with me if Popov finds out.
“What’s he like?” Leave it to Tasha to ask the hard questions.
I think about it for a minute.Terrifying? Sinister? Cold?“He’s poison, in a beautiful package. Like how frogs or other poisonous creatures are usually the most beautiful. He is intelligent, but the interaction is all a game and only he knows the rules.”
Tasha chews on that for a while. “It’s not too late to quit this, Rocky.”
I think back to the look in his black eyes when he held my face to look at him. “Actually, I’m pretty sure it is.”
I googled the address on the card he gave me. Nothing shows up. I have no better idea of what I’m walking into. I repeat my detailed shower process from last night, and then apply some light makeup. I keep the pale powder on, but the black eyeliner is much thinner. I add some gold shadow above my eyes, and opt for Chapstick instead of lipstick. There is no way in hell I’m wearing a skirt today. I pick high waist skinny jeans, a charcoal cowl neck top, and knee high black boots. I arrange my hair in loose waves, cascading down over my shoulders.
The taxi drops me off outside of a trendy women’s clothing boutique. I start to explain that this must be the wrong place, but the cabby is already driving away.Okay then.The door opens, and a beautiful petite blonde woman steps out.
“Miss Jackson? We’re ready for you.” She gestures for me to enter.
The store is set up almost like a bridal shop, where there is a dressing pedestal in the center, flanked by padded chairs. Champagne sits in a chiller bucket with two flutes on a small table. I turn to ask her about what’s going on, but a slight movement from the front door catches my eye. Popov is here.
Without the coat or tie, he looks more casual, but no less menacing. One side of his mouth quirks up in a smile. “Good afternoon, Rebecca.”
“Umm, good afternoon, sir.” I swallow.
“Dimitri.”
“What?” I blurt.
“Call me Dimitri.” He pauses. “Though I do like hearing you call me sir.”
I blush out of reflex. “Ok, Dimitri. What are we doing here?”
“Shopping for your new work clothes.”
My face must show my absolute confusion.
“Your old uniform from the club will hardly be appropriate for my assistant. My men would become distracted and I’d be forced to shoot someone.” His smile widens at my shocked expression. “Now, please allow the lady to measure you, and then they will bring some samples out.” He gestures to the pedestal.
Dumbstruck, I do as I’m told. Assistant?Holy shit.The blonde, Deborah, measures me in great detail. She offers to size me for bras if I would like to undress, which I decline, providing her my usual sizes for bras, underwear, and shoes at her request. She nods along as if this is all completely ordinary. When Deborah is satisfied, she gestures to the chairs. Dimitri holds a champagne glass out to me when I sit down.
A parade of women’s business attire begins: traditional skirts, pant suits, vintage and modern business dresses, blouses, capris, and even rompers.
“No rompers,” Dimitri says.
“Of course, of course,” Deborah agrees.
Next up come the shoes. Ballet flats, pumps, and wedges in assorted neutral colors.
“Excellent selections, Deborah. Please call the office when they are ready for her. Do you have anything that can be ready today?”
“Oh, yes, several just need a tiny bit of tailoring to fit them properly. I’ll be back shortly.”
