Page 22 of Vipers and Vendettas

‘Fine,’ I say, staring at the table. ‘Give me my final paycheck, and I’m gone.’

He doesn’t move, just stares at me, watching me fail to keep my emotions in check as a traitorous tear leaks out of my eye.

Fuck!

I whirl around, embarrassed beyond measure, and make my way to the door to leave without my money.

‘I didn’t mean for you to go,’ he says quietly.

I don’t look back, but he’s suddenly barring the door.

He’s fast.

I stop in front of him, wiping my eyes and leveling him with a look.

‘I wasn’t expecting any of that,’ he says.

I snort. ‘Your apology sucks.’

‘I know.’ He gives me a tight smile and then steps away from the door. ‘Hear me out?’

I nod, wanting to avoid having to go out to find another job this late in the game, even if tonight does go well. I want time to plan my next move.

Stephan runs a hand through his already disheveled hair. ‘Baby daddy not in the picture?’

‘No, but that doesn’t mean I’m looking for one,’ I say plainly, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. ‘I’m not in the market.’

‘It’s not like that,’ he says with a sigh. ‘I just want to know I’m not going to be stepping on some guy’s toes when I walk you beyond the Veil tonight.’

‘You won’t be,’ I say quietly, ‘but why …’

‘Why do I feel protective if I don’t want you like that?’

I nod cautiously.

He steps forward and grazes his knuckles along my cheek. ‘You just remind me of someone I used to know.’

He steps back, and his conjure snaps up, hiding his true form. In front of me is the shorter, lankier human man who looks like he doesn’t get enough calories. He turns away from me.

‘You’re back at ten tonight? Clocking out at three?’ he asks.

‘Yeah.’

He nods, going back to his paperwork and not looking at me again. ‘Come find me when you want to leave.’

‘Okay,’ I acquiesce, but I’m left feeling very uneasy that Stephan is going to know where I live.

Maybe I should just start looking for a new job a little further from my apartment, where no one knows anything about me at all. Today is a little busy, though, so maybe that’s a problem for tomorrow. For now, I keep it simple and focus on the present, finishing up the tables and starting the vacuuming without another word.

I try not to wonder about Stephan’s past. It’s not my business, and, like him, I’m not interested in anything developing between me and my boss. Though, maybe I can consider him a friend now that we know a few of each other’s secrets.

Regardless of my initial annoyance, I am sort of glad someone’s going to be with me on the way home tonight. It has felt more dangerous lately, and sometimes, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being watched. It’s been a while since I felt safe. Three months, to be exact.

* * *

It’s seven o’clock. It’s already dark, and the fae will have left for the day. We slip in mundanely through a side door, no magick in sight. I’m dressed in black, a hood covering my face. I check my watch, staying with the others until we get to the first hall. Then, I stop at my designated spot. The others keep going without me, up to the half-floor that I suspected was there and noted on the plans for Jack. It will have an armored room that makes it a good spot for keeping the artifact we’re here to grab.

My stomach churns, and I force back the nausea. I can’t afford to be sick on the floor right now, and I definitely can’t just run to the bathroom in the middle of a heist.