Page 32 of Blood & Snow

My enemies are too hungry for blood and weakness.

"Higher-level operations require higher-level appearance."

"I can't?—"

"Shh,Ptichka," I say, which is a nickname that I've decided fits her.

She's like a tiny little bird, scared of herenvironment and flitting about aimlessly.

"Do as I say, please."

Nadya sighs hard but says nothing more.

We find a spot and park, and she follows me through the entrance, eyes widening at the luxury stores that line the concourse.

No doubt, she'd never be able to afford these places on her own, boutiques that sell designer dresses and jewelry, stores that sell custom made handbags.

"This is too expensive," she says when I guide her toward a women's fashion store.

"I'm paying. Consider it a work uniform allowance."

I'm not taking no for an answer.

Once I got the idea in my head that I had to see her in something feminine for a change, I couldn’t get it out of my head.

And the idea of putting her in lingerie is even more tempting.

She pouts the whole way through the store, but she doesn’t protest anymore.

The sales associate recognizes me immediately and approaches me with a polite smile.

It isn't the first time I've clothed a beautiful woman in expensive things, but last time was more of a seduction that ended in that woman's blood on my hands.

This time is different.

I explain what I need while Nadya stands beside me looking overwhelmed by the opulent surroundings.

"Certainly, sir. We have excellent selections for professional women."

The associate examines Nadya with a trained eye, calculating measurements and style preferences.

"What type of professional environment?"

"Corporate consulting," I reply smoothly.

"Client meetings, business dinners, formal presentations."

All lies, but they provide a framework for the kind of clothing I want to see on her.

Expensive dresses that fit her figure perfectly, business suits that command respect whiledisplaying her feminine attributes, evening wear suitable for the restaurants and clubs where I conduct business.

The associate leads us toward the dress section and begins pulling items from the racks.

Conservative business attire mixed with more revealing options, a range of styles that will test Nadya's comfort level while giving me variety to evaluate.

"Try these on," I tell her, handing her six dresses of different styles and colors.

"All of them?"