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I can tell she’s nervous, which is a surprise because ever since I’ve met her she’s been nothing but confident.
I suppose watching a gunfight in a dark alley knocks that out of you real quick and the first words I speak are, “Are you okay?”
She nods, the pallor of her skin and the tight lines around her mouth tell me she’s not and as I catch sight of the watch and the keys, they taunt me from the table.
“Perhaps you should start at the beginning, Ana. How do you know that guy?”
A spark of fear lights her eyes, and she glances down and shrugs.
“As much as you. He showed up when we needed help and on the journey here, he told me what he expected in return.”
“He was following you.”
She nods miserably. “So it would seem.”
“The other night in the bar, you set me up?”
“How fucking dare you!”
Her eyes flash and she hisses, “Last night was meant to be an escape. How the fuck was I supposed to know you were my boss?”
I roll my eyes. “Do you think I’m stupid? You were starting work in my fucking organization and any applicant with their head screwed on would have done their research. You got lucky when I walked into the bar, and now I know why.”
“Fuck you, James.”
“Thank God that never happened.” I fire back, rage clouding my judgment as I face her with the full force of my anger.
“And it never will!” She shouts back and I note her hands trembling as she balls them into fists by her side.
“Jeez–” She rolls her eyes. “If I knew you were such an asshole, I would have given it to the bartender instead.”
I run my hand to my head and wish it would stop beating me from the inside.
“Here.” She flings a pack of Advil my way and sayswearily, “Listen, I’m not happy about how this panned out, believe me. In doing the right thing, I have landed in a heap of trouble and now have a different boss to report to.”
“Who is that guy?”
She shrugs and flops onto the white couch that appears brand new.
In fact, the more I look around, the entire apartment appears brand new and I say as an aside, “This place. It’s seriously freaking me out.”
“Why?”
“What apartment is all white? I mean, I’m guessing you rented this, but surely the landlord has taken minimalism to new heights. This place has no soul.”
“Well, I like it.”
She points to the door. “Feel free to leave and we can take this up in the morning when we’ve had some sleep.”
“You think I can sleep?” I groan. “I should call my brother.”
“And say what?” She snaps irritably.
“Check he’s okay. We only have that guy’s word on where he is and excuse me, but I can’t see Dylan enlisting in the military for anyone.”
“Why not?”
“Because he’s shit scared of his own shadow and wouldn’t be able to follow an order if it hit him between the eyes.”
