Page 28

Ash smells like himself, and it's overpowering the scent of my new fragrance, which seems impossible.

The way he promised to protect me…the memory of that tight space invades this one. The set of his jaw, the determination in his gaze. I almost believe him. My exhaustion makes me vulnerable to wanting to trust him.

The elevator slows at a lower floor. That's not supposed to happen. We are supposed to be going straight to mine—no stops. My body tenses for a fight.

"It's okay," Ash says as the golden doors part.

"What is this?"

"Temperance's replacement."

A woman stands on the other side. She's shorter than me with a helmet of blonde hair, wearing a red pantsuit with an American flag pin on her lapel. Subtle.

She steps in with us and smiles, reminding me of the snake I worked with today. There is something reptilian and creepy about her. I get the sense she wants to wrap around me and squeeze until all the breath leaves my body.

"Angela," she says. "I'm so happy we could meet." Her voice is high and scratchy, like she's been yelling at people and it's worn out her vocal cords.

The doors close and we begin to climb again.

"You have me at a disadvantage, I don't know who you are." My voice is even as if I meet new handlers daily.

"I'm Linda Whitmore, and I'll be your contact moving forward." It’s like she’s reading the news.

"Contact?" I ask, playing dumb.

Linda's eyes flick to Ash who hasn't moved. In the mirror I see his gaze drop to her, it's that cold one he uses so well. Linda’s lips slip into a smile that is first cousins with a sneer.

I don't think they like each other much.

Linda's focus returns to me and her mouth straightens. "Where is the package? Did you deliver it to the princess?"

Every instinct I have wants to lie to this woman. I also want to smack the back of Ash's head and ask him why in the actual fuck he didn't warn me this was going to happen.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say.

Linda’s upper lip twitches. She's not good at her job. The thought strikes fast and hard. This woman could get me killed with her ineptitude. Fuck.

"Give it to me." She takes a step forward as if to intimidate me. But I am too tired for this shit.

“I. Don’t. Know. You." I bite out each word, anger rising, taking away the pain in my feet and head, granting me new energy. This is such utter bullshit.

"Temperance is gone." Her smile turns smug.

I cross my arms and let out a half-amused, half-annoyed huff. “That doesn’t mean I know you.” I leave off thebitch. “I don’t even know what you're doing in this elevator with me. As far as I'm concerned, you’re an obsessed fan." I tilt my head and shrug.Who knows what’s true these days?

Anger sparks hot in her gaze, and she steps toward me again—this time Ash shifts, blocking her. My heart surges at the subtle movement, which speaks volumes. Maybe heison my team.

"You will give me the compass," Linda announces.

"You're giving major first day vibes," I say. Linda’s nostrils flare and her cheekbones flush pink. "I'm not giving you jack shit. Now get the fuck off this elevator." I step around Ash to push the next floor button.

Linda pivots to follow my movements, brow drawn into a frown. Ash’s bulk between us is reassuring, but I think if we fought, I’d win. She's an amateur. How the hell did she get Temperance's job?

The doors open behind Linda. I hold the stop button.

She tries again. “You need to give me that package."

“Get off.” I jerk my chin at the empty hallway behind her.