I couldn’t make it obvious, if Wexler saw my father here, he’d probably skin him alive.
I pulled a book from the shelf and flipped through it, glancing toward the shrubs.
“Dad, what are you doing here?” I whispered, then glanced at Wexler to see if he heard me.
“Hey, sweet pea, I need to talk to you.”
“No. Just leave,” I hissed softly.
I put the book back and grabbed another one, flipping through it as well.
“Sienna, please. I really need to see you. Meet me at the café where you used to work.”
“And why should I?” I asked, annoyed, trying to keep my voice low.
“It’s important. I really need to see you.”
I sighed. Maybe he wanted to apologize for selling me, for getting me into this mess. At the very least, I should hear him out.
“Okay, fine. I’ll be there.”
“Thank you.”
Now I had to figure out how the hell I was going to ditch Wexler and meet up with my father.
I put the book back on the shelf and walked over to Wexler.
“Do you mind if I use the bathroom before we go?”
“Miss Sienna, are you okay?” Concern cracked through his usual monotone.
“I’m fine. I won’t be long.”
He nodded. I headed to the bathroom and slipped inside, closing the door quietly before turning the lock. I moved straight to the last stall. There was a window above the toilet—small, but big enough for me to fit through. Thankfully, I was tall enough to reach it.
I climbed onto the tank and pushed my knapsack through first, praying my laptop wouldn’t shatter. Then I hauled myself up and out, going headfirst. I toppled through the window andhit the ground on my back, the impact knocking the air out of me.
I couldn't just lie there. It wouldn't take Wexler long before he realized that I was gone.
I scrambled to my feet and grabbed my knapsack. The world tilted, nausea climbing up my throat. I steadied myself, waited a few seconds until the dizziness passed, then took off across campus toward the café.
About two minutes later, I pushed open the café door, breathing heavily, quickly scanning the room. I spotted my father and made my way to the last booth, sliding in with my back to the entrance.
“Hey, Dad. Why did you need to see me?”
“I wanted to know how you’ve been. Is Mr. Safin treating you well?”
“If he’s treating me well?” I snapped. “I shouldn’t even be there!”
“But you are,” he said casually, “and now we have an opportunity to use it to our advantage.”
“What? Are you serious? A small part of me hoped you wanted to apologize for selling me like damn livestock.”
“Sweet pea, what’s done is done. You’re there, and the fact that he didn’t pull you out of school means maybe he likes you. We can use that. Mr. Safin is a powerful man, one of the most powerful in Philly.”
“Are you crazy?” I hissed. “He’s also extremely dangerous. Be grateful you’re still alive after betraying him. Stealing from him again is suicide.”
“Come on, sweet pea. You’re a woman, use your womanly charm. You’ve gotta help me get out of the country. I’m sure you can steal a few million from him, then find out how I can slip out of Philly without being detected.”
