We make small talk as she makes a second cup and she tells me about how Daniil asked her to do her job from the reception desk for now, since we’ve had more visitors lately than anticipated and he hasn’t had time to hire anyone else. Since she’s social and extroverted anyway, she doesn’t mind.Listening to her talk about her work at Shadow Security is a nice distraction too.
We walk back toward the front desk and I spy Landon walking in. Our eyes lock the moment he sees me. I’m not sure what’s lurking in his expression but it makes me smile.
“Keep lying to yourself,” Luna murmurs under her breath as she sits down.
“Hey.” I ignore her last comment and approach Landon gingerly. “How was the drive?”
“No problems. I didn’t see a tail.”
“Have they given up?”
He shrugs. “Either that or they’re waiting for the right time. Busy day during the week, lots of traffic, people coming and going at my apartment complex…not a smart move to attack under those conditions.”
I sigh. “Well, a girl can hope.”
“Come on, they’re waiting for us.”
We walk into the conference room together and I catch my father’s eye. He gets up and comes over to hug me.
“How’re you doin’, honey?” he asks.
“I’m okay.”
He stares at me for a beat, like he’s looking for evidence that I’m lying. He seems to decide I’m okay because we all sit down and Dad immediately starts talking.
“Here’s what we know,” he says. “This ring has been operating under the radar for about six years. That’s the first time a missing person report was filed that fits the profile. Young, pretty homeless girl. She was going to community college and was sleeping in her car. Some of the regulars from the Adams Street homeless community reported her missing. Cops didn’t take it seriously. But she was a pretty girl.” He opens a file and passes around a picture.
Jesus.
I blanche when it gets to me because she looks so much like me it’s eerie. Same honey-blond hair, same blue eyes. Her nose is a little more upturned than mine, her lips not as full, but the resemblance is fascinating.
“Is this their type?” I ask quietly.
“Actually, it’s not,” Daniil interjects. “They seem to run the gamut. And the scary thing is, it’s almost a pattern. One blond, one brunette, one redhead. And based only on missing persons reports that fit the profile, since we have no other way to track them, you were the second blond in a row.”
“She was probably just easy pickings,” Pete says, scowling. “Out late at night by herself, on a dark street, it’s just asking?—”
“I swear to God, Pete.” I glare at him. “Are you going to say something about the knee-length shorts I was wearing too? Should I have been wearing a muumuu? Or should I just stay home, barefoot and pregnant?’
“Okay, don’t be that way,” he says, shaking his head. “I was just pointing out?—”
“You weretryingto victim shame,” I snap. “Fuck that and fuck you.”
“Check your tone,” he snaps back, eyes gleaming as he leans forward.
“You checkyourtone!” I cross my arms over my chest, glaring. “I’m not some club bunny. You don’t get to talk to me like that.”
“Allora.” Dad’s voice is quiet but firm.
“I will not be spoken to like a second-class citizen,” I tell him. “And Mom would never let anyone talk to her that way either.” Mentioning my mother always works.
Dad has the grace to flush, but he doesn’t back down because… well, because he’s Silver, President of the Renegade Demons and two of his men are in the room.
“You know it’s our way,” is all he says.
“But I’m not part of your world. Either respect that, and me, or leave me alone.” I stand up and walk out. Childish maybe, but I’m running on fumes emotionally.
I don’t normally give up this easily when Dad and I argue but this feels personal. I was wearing khaki shorts and a black short-sleeve top, with cute black flats. My outfit was in no way revealing. Not that a revealing outfit is a reason to attack someone, but the idea that I was somehow responsible pisses me off. And my father never fucking defends me.
