Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76309 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Yes, absolutely, most definitely.
“I don’t know what kind of man you are, Dimitry. Last night didn’t leave me with a good taste in my mouth.” I know I’m only acting at this point, but a part of me is really getting mad at this asshole for daring to offer me another job without paying me for my body disposal already.
Lanzo doesn’t seem to notice though. He’s tapping away, squinting at the screen.
“Understandable. However, I will admit, it is extremely rare to find a person like you. It’s very difficult to find someone competent and flexible, especially on short notice.”
“Morally flexible, you mean?”
“Something like that.” He sounds amused again. I wonder if Burian likes me. Not that it matters. He’d put a bullet in my skull all the same.
“What’s the job?” I ask since that’s what everyone expects. But I have a million other questions swirling around my head.
“A delivery. Nothing like last time. I’ll text you an address. Go there tomorrow night, pick up the package, and take it to the address listed on the label.”
“That’s it? I thought there was an entire United State Postal Service dedicated to moving crap around.”
“Very funny. Let’s say the contents are hazardous and the post office wouldn’t want to ship it. Are you going to help?”
I glance at Lanzo. He nods once.
“How much are you offering?”
“Fifty grand.”
I cough then clear my throat. “Must be a very big package.”
“You’ll see. Keep your cell nearby.” Then he hangs up.
I stare at the blank screen before shoving the phone back at Lanzo. “This is crazy,” I tell him. “He didn’t even wait for me to say yes. Just hung up.”
He takes the phone. “It’ll be great.”
“You really want me to do this? What if it’s another trap?”
“Let’s hope it is,” he says, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Might force Burian out into the open.”
“I’ll note that it isn’t your life being used as bait.”
Lanzo lowers the laptop screen. He stares at me, the full weight of his attention pressing down into my chest.
“I swear, Renny, I won’t let you get hurt.”
I groan. “Don’t call me that, you asshole.”
His smile makes me want to rip his teeth out of his skull. “You’re much too valuable to waste.”
“Great, you look at me like a useful tool. That’s fantastic. You and Burian have that in common then.”
“We’re using each other, don’t forget it.” He goes back to his laptop. “I have some data to sift through. Fucker doubled his security since the last call. I’m guessing we caught him off guard the first time.” He murmurs quietly to himself in a language I don’t recognize, probably Russian, already forgetting about me.
I walk away, vibrating with anger. Lanzo’s single-minded, which means I’m all but forgotten until I’m useful to him again. He’s lost in his screen, and I’m out here drifting.
I have to remember why I’m doing this. Grandpop’s dying, but three million can ease his final days. Hell, it might even buy him more time—better doctors, better drugs, some experimental stuff that might just work. Money buys miracles all the time. Why not for me, too?
A decision crystallizes. One I didn’t think I’d make this quickly, but I don’t see any other choices.
“I’ll follow your rules,” I say, standing by the window.
Lanzo perks up. His eyes smolder into mine as I look back at him. “I knew you would,” he says, not an ounce of surprise in his voice.
“But don’t think this means you’re in control. I’m going to ask questions, and you’re going to answer them. Like right now, I want to know how you’re going to keep me safe when I pick up that package.”
“With guns,” he says, his lips pulling into a smirk. “Lots and lots of guns.”
Chapter 13
Renata
Lanzo insists I dress up, but the joke’s on him, because I didn’t bring anything nice.
I end up in jeans and a halfway decent blouse, the top buttons undone, a hint of my black bra showing. It’s a little much, but the look in his eye when I come out and announce that I’m ready is worth risking all this cleavage.
“You’re lucky you’re with me,” he says as we get into his truck. “They’d never let you into the Oak looking like that otherwise.”
“Are you commenting on my clothes right now?” I arch my eyebrows at him, fighting the urge to throat-punch.
“The Oak is a very conservative and formal institution,” he says, glancing down at himself. He’s wearing a suit without a jacket and a tie, bridging the gap between our outfits. “I’m borderline like this, but since I’m a member in good standing, they’ll let some dress code violations slide.”
“I’ll stay home if I’m going to embarrass you in front of your fancy friends.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to do that.” He heads away from the city, humming to himself. “Though don’t be shocked if they assume you’re my mistress.”