As he pulls up in front of the home I share with my grandparents, I let out a sigh hoping he’ll say something else. Anything else but he doesn’t.
“I’ll see you later,” I say dumbly as I climb out. Again, he doesn’t say anything, but he does nod in response to this.
Climbing out of my seat, I head for the front door and go inside without looking back. If I did, I’d probably lose it and begin to cry again. Maybe it’s because of my fantasies about this man. I’d hoped he might have wanted me with him, to comfort me in some way after everything we’ve gone through tonight.
He might have said what he did about wanting me and thinking he didn’t have a chance with me, but did he mean it? There’s no way he could’ve. I’m not a beautiful woman like the others who I work with. Meghan for example would be perfect for him. She’s a true beauty and her brightness makes her that much more beautiful with her magenta hair and colorful tattoos cascading up and down her body.
Checking the time, I know my grandparents are asleep. I head up to my room and take a very long shower. Washing my skin, scrubbing my body, I allow my tears to fall once again as the spray of the water will wash them away.
I stay under the warmth of the water until it starts to grow cold. Only then do I shut the water off, grab a towel, and climb out. In my room, I dress in a pair of leggings and a hoodie, forgoing anything underneath.
There’s no way I’ll get to sleep tonight. Not with the way my mind’s reeling playing everything repeatedly.
I leave my room and go to the one next to mine. The one my grandparents allow me to use for creating my beautiful masterpieces. Tonight, I’ll be doing something. It won’t be something beautiful yet it’ll be so very much emotional. I’ll paint my emotions into a piece I’ll never share with anyone. It’ll be for my eyes only.
Chapter Eight
Kronid
I sip on my cappuccino in my office, throwing in a double shot after last night’s events. I’ve already eaten my morning pastry, but my cappuccinos are my morning staple. Without them, I’d be a horror to speak to. Setting my cup down, I crane my neck to the right and the left until it makes a popping sound, then turn on my laptop and look through things. Since our work here is a mixture of legal and illegal, we have an impenetrable security system on our laptops. Designed by one of our own, who’s an incredible hacker. It goes to show you how it pays to have brains and muscle on the payroll. As long as they’re making good money, they’re usually happy.
It’s about ten in the morning and I rise from my seat, walk out of my office, and make the rounds through the shop. I see Meghan, Annika, Nina, Kira, Adrian, and Igor at their stations. That shitty receptionist we need to fire is even behind the desk, but the one person I don’t see is Dema. We have one more chair open at the shop, but I haven’t conducted any interviews as of late. We’ve been too busy, but soon I’ll task Meghan with helping me find someone experienced enough to create the level we expect from our employees.
“Oh, hey there, boss man. So, Dema called out. Said something but I can’t really remember what,” the girl says, chewing obnoxiously on gum.
I blink once at the girl and my words come out strong and heated, “You’re fired. Get the fuck out of here and don’t come back. Your paycheck will be ready for you on Friday.”
The front door opens and in comes Katya, with her husband Slasher. She’s wearing a faux fur around her, demanding everyone’s attention just by her outfit and exuding power. Her husband on the other hand is in a pleated coat and gloves, always looks rough as fuck. Katya’s one of the queenpins of the underworld, while her husband, Slasher, is her king I suppose. He’s in a biker club and because of that they have their hands dipped in multiple pots.
“Firing someone before coffee? How brave,” Katya chuckles, walking past me. Surely, she’s heading to my office since we have a meeting this morning.
“I’ve had my cappuccino,” I call over to her, catching her smirk as she turns into my office, while Slasher’s expression remains unimpressed.
“You can’t be serious right now!” Pins and Needles now ex-receptionist whines.
“Why wouldn’t I be serious? I’ve heard many times how you run off on break without even telling any of the artists. Now you don’t tell me when one of our artists calls out? Get the fuck out of here and I’d better not see you step foot in here ever again unless it’s to get your damn paycheck!” I snarl, slamming my hand on the counter I walk away and head toward my office.
Meghan looks up at me from her chair, while her client’s on his stomach and she’s working on a back piece. She mouths, ‘thank you’ to me and I give her a curt nod.
I quickly get into my office since Katya is waiting on me. She’s sitting down on the worn, rusty orange leather couch against the back wall. I have a few blankets on it, and an old chest sits in front of it acting as a coffee table. Slasher stands, leaning against the wall as he always does and I shut the door to my office. Choosing to stand opposed to sitting, I clear my throat and speak, “Sorry you had to witness that.”
“Don’t be. I need some childish entertainment in the morning,” Katya states.
“Pippa’s fit wasn’t enough for you this morning?” Slasher scoffs.
I draw my brows together and look between the two. “Pippa wants a tattoo, badly, I might add. She’s trying to convince me to let Dema do it, since I have a soft spot for the girl. Now, where is she? I didn’t see her out there.”
“She called out this morning, not sure why, but I’ll touch base with her later and make sure she’s alright,” I tell Katya, seeing her nod and begin to speak, but a knock comes to my door and everyone’s attention turns to it.
“What?!” I snap toward the doorway.
“Boss, it’s me,” Michail responds.
“Is this important?” I ask him, trying not to seem too annoyed. He knows I have a meeting with Katya this morning.
“Rytas is downstairs, so I’d say yes, it’s important,” Michail tells me, sounding like he’s worried about how I’ll react.
“Rytas? Didn’t he pick up his shipment yesterday? Don’t tell me he’s late again,” Katya grumbles, glaring in my direction.
Immediately, I ease her frustration. “No, he came yesterday and he was early. I’m not sure why he’s here today, but I’ll go downstairs and see what’s the matter.”
“Allow me to come with you. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to tear into Rytas. I’ve missed the opportunity to watch a man like him kneel at my feet.” I don’t blame Katya in the least bit for saying shit like this. She went from being a slave, to the wife of one of the world’s most feared arms dealers, then obtained his business when he was put down like a dog many years ago.
I go to open my door and follow Michail, with Katya close on our heels. We all go downstairs and Rytas is with one of our other men. Thank fuck, if he were here alone, I might lose my shit.
“Rytas, to what do I owe the pleasure?” I speak loudly, taking control over the room.