Page 57 of Things We Left Behind

Two spots of pink bloomed on Holly’s cheeks, and she looked as if she were going to burst into tears or song. “This job is a dream come true. Mr. Rollins hired me as an administrative assistant. It’s my first real job. My kids are so proud of me they pack my lunch every morning and I have to wait until they’re off to school and daycare before I can pack something besides animal crackers and string cheese,” she explained to us in a rush.

“That’s so sweet of them,” Naomi said.

“Congratulations,” I said, hoping that Lucian wouldn’t turn his dragon fire on the poor girl and reduce her to ash.

“Did you say something about coffee?” Naomi asked hopefully. “Because I would love one.”

It had been almost thirty minutes since her last hit of caffeine.

“How do you take it?” Holly asked with an eager smile.

“Any way I can get it,” Naomi joked.

“I’ll bring you my specialty then. Can I get anything for you?” Holly asked, turning to me.

“I’m fine, thanks.” With my luck, I’d spill an entire mug of coffee all over Lucian’s fancy-­ass office and he’d sue me for damages.

“I’ll catch up with you on your tour,” she promised and darted off.

“She’s sweet,” I said.

“She really is. Two weeks ago, she and her two kids were homeless. They left an abusive home and ended up in a shelter.Word is Lucian hired her on the spot. She started the next day and moved into an apartment last week.”

“That’s amazing,” Naomi said, clasping her hands to her chest.

“Why was he there to hire her?”

“Apparently your archnemesis is a major sponsor of the program,” Lina explained.

“Yeah, well, I guess even ogres can do something good for a tax write-­off,” I muttered.

I didn’t enjoy stumbling onto evidence that contradicted everything I believed about the man. I liked having him well defined. For years, heckdecades, he’d been nothing but a two-­dimensional caricature of a villain. Now, however, I was beginning to wonder what other signs of humanity I’d missed beneath those custom suits and heartbreaker cheekbones.

If there was a hypothetical heart that beat somewhere inside that broad, wealthy chest, what did it mean that he still hated me?

Lina continued our tour, showing us an impressive array of break rooms, conference rooms, and offices.

Hers was a light-­filled, minimalist space with a desk, a couch, and a great view. There was a picture on her desk of her and Nash strapped to a parachute.

“So what exactly do you do here?” I asked, trying out the couch.

“The firm’s primary purpose is to support candidates as they run for and hold office.”

“So you dig up dirt on political rivals, blackmail them, and if that doesn’t work, have them ‘disappeared?’” I guessed. “Do you hide the bodies, or are you further up the chain?”

“Sloane,” Naomi hissed.

“There’s an entire supply closet dedicated to corpse disposal down the hall,” Lina joked, spinning around in her ergonomic desk chair.

“Everyone here seems so happy,” Naomi said, trying to switch to a more positive subject.

“It’s hard not to be,” Lina said. “The pay is well above fair. The benefits are generous. And the boss is a beautiful beast of a man who no one wants to disappoint.”

I sniffed. “I guess if you’re into the whole fire and brimstone thing.”

Both women eyed me. “Evenyouhave to admit that Lucian is unnaturally good-­looking,” Naomi prodded.

“Good-­looking?” Lina snorted. “The man looks like the hottest gods in the universe got together and made the hottest baby in the universe. I’m not convinced that he’s mortal. Has anyone ever seen him sleep?”