Page 53 of A Sinner's Virtue

“Nothing. Sorry. It was just a bird.” I frown as I watch that same bird continue to peck at the glass with its beak.

“A bird?”

“Yeah, it’s knocking on the window like it’s trying to get in. Weird.”

“A bird is knocking on your window?” Mikhail attempts to clarify.

“Yeah. Anyway, I should get back to work.”

“Zoe, I need you to go and get into Ivan’s car. Now,” Mikhail says in a more serious tone.

“What? Why?”

“A bird at your window. It’s a bad omen. It means death, Zoe. Go and let Ivan take you home. Please.”

“Oh my god, not you too.” I sigh. “What is it with big bad mafia men and their superstitions?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Marcel… He believes his family is cursed. Even gave me this red bracelet to wear for protection. It’s stupid, but I’m wearing it anyway.” I laugh. “A bird tapping at my window does not mean death is coming for me, Mikhail. I’m fine.”

“Zoe, either you’re going to Ivan’s car now or he’s coming and sitting in your office with you.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Don’t worry so much. I gotta go. Talk to you later. Love you.” I hang up before he can argue any more about some bird of death.

Not that it matters. Seeing as it takes less than two minutes before Ivan is barging into my office and sitting on the sofa. “Boss says you got a bird problem.” He glares at the window, where there is in fact no longer a bird.

“Boss is just being overbearing,” I retort before I pick up the phone and message Lucy. I need to get out of the office.

Me:

Want to meet for drinks?

Lucy:

Always. Where?

Me:

How about that little champagne bar across the street?

Lucy:

I’ll meet you there in twenty.

Me:

Perfect.

I’m packing up my things when Ivan stands. “Where are we going?” he asks.

“I’m going to the champagne bar across the street. You’re going back to your car,” I tell him.

“Can’t do that.” He shakes his head at me.

I don’t bother arguing with him. It’s pointless really. I know I won’t win. He’s had a direct order from his boss. Which means there’s nothing I could possibly say to make him change his mind.

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