“He told me you’re waiting to move in with him until I’m out of your hair. And he told me what’s been going on at your job.” I zipped my bag shut and strode over to her, slowly prying the pillow out of her arms. “You could have told me.”
She closed her eyes, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I didn’t tell you because the last thing I want to do is hurt you. And I knew it would. I can’t believe Noah did that.”
“He’s only trying to look out for you.”
Her eyes flipped open. “AndI’mtrying to look out foryou. Mia, you can’t move in with that guy and pretend to be his girlfriend. Not only is it bizarre as hell, he was an asshole to you, and you know next to nothing about him. For all we know,hecould be the serial killer we saw on the news.”
“He’s not. I looked into him. He’s been seen in public at the same time as some of the murders. It can’t be him.” I took her hands in mine and squeezed tight. “Serena, I love you, and you have no idea how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’re the only person in the goddamn world who believes I didn’t kill Audrey. You gave me a home when I had nowhere else to go. But I need to move on with my life now, and so do you.”
“We can get a place together,” she said fiercely. “A bigger place.”
“And how would we afford it? I don’t have a job.”
“You’ll find one eventually.”
“What about Noah?”
“He’s not really in my good books now,” she muttered. “He never should have told you about any of it. It wasn’t his place.”
“Maybe not. But I’m sure he’ll make it up to you. He just cares about you. Same as me.”
The doorbell buzzed. I dropped her hands, stepped back, and grabbed my bag. It was eight on the dot, and Asmodeus’s driver was here to collect me. I tried not to think about how weird it was that Asmodeus had his owndriver. There were far too many other weird things to comprehend already.
“That means it’s time for me to go.” I slung the bag over my shoulder, smiled. “I’ll text you as soon as I get there.”
“You better.” She rushed forward, sniffling, and threw her arms around my neck. The scent of her lemon body wash swirled into my nose. The same scent I’d smelled every morning for the past three months, every time she took a shower. I’d miss it. “Text me constantly. Let me know what’s going on at all times. If at any point you want to back out of this,call me. You have a place to crash always.”
With a sad smile, I clutched her back. If I had to abort this crazy mission, I didn’t think I would have it in me to call her. If this was only about her future with Noah, I might have felt less firm in my decision. But I would not let her risk her dream career, the one she’d lost sleep, sweat, and blood over the past decade of her life. I’d never seen anyone work harder for what they wanted. I wouldn’t be the thing to knock her down.
“I love you, Serena,” I whispered into her hair. “I don’t want you to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
* * *
Asleek black sedan with tinted windows stretched out along the curb outside of Serena’s brownstone. I swallowed hard and inched forward as a desperate urge to flee rushed through my stomach. The driver’s side window whirred down to reveal a suited man at the steering wheel. He motioned for me to get inside the car.
“Hello, Mia.” His voice was deep, like the bass notes of a blues song. “I’m Asmodeus’s driver. I’m here to take you home.”
Home.
My gut clenched. Regardless of my new residential status, I would never consider my new boss’s apartment home. A house was not a home, and it had been years since I’d felt like I truly belonged somewhere.
I cracked open the door and braced myself. But Asmodeus wasn’t waiting for me inside. The smooth leather seats were empty. The chilly, air-conditioned air whispered across my bare arms. Before I could change my mind, I slid across the seat and slammed the door behind me.
The driver revved the car and took off through the streets.
He said little during the journey through the city. Every now and again, his dark eyes flicked up to his rearview window. I wondered how much he knew. Did this guy think I was Asmodeus’s girlfriend? Or did he know I was an employee and nothing more? Either way, he didn’t let on.
An hour later, the driver pulled up to the curb outside of a building located within the depths of Hell’s Kitchen. I should have known Asmodeus would live close to his club. In fact, we were only three blocks south.
Situated on the corner, the sleek dark building rose high above the others around it. Large windows looked out onto the city streets, basking in the sunlight. A revolving door led into a spacious lobby with marble-tiled floors and sparkling chandeliers. I could see it all glisten even from inside the car.
What the hell had I gotten myself into?
Asmodeus pushed through the revolving doors and strode across the sidewalk, sporting a lazy smile that made my insides melt. He stood out from everyone else bustling past him. Probably because of the rich black suit that looked as though it had been made to fit his body. His dark hair matched the color of the fabric, making his bright blue eyes pop.
I swiped my sweaty palms against my jeans. At least I’d changed out of my ice cream sweatshirt.
The driver leapt out of the car and opened the door. I stepped onto the sidewalk, hoisting my bag behind me, but the driver quickly tugged it out of my arms. My whole face flushed.
