When I open the library the next day, he isn’t there. I feel simultaneously let-down and relieved.
He was just a patron, I tell myself. Not unlike the dozens and dozens of people who grace the doors of this place every hour.
Except… he is unlike every one of them. I know there’s something different about him. Something dangerous. Powerful. Mesmerizing.
I stock the shelves as I normally do. Check out books and talk with my boss. Answer the phone calls and research the latest bestsellers we need to order for our shelves.
But I make mistakes. I lose my train of thought. I accidentally order ten copies of a book I meant to order once.
I shake my head and get to my feet. It’s nearly lunch time, and I need to get some fresh air. When I leave the library, I inhale deeply, needing to cleanse my thoughts. I can’t let myself get derailed like this.
I’m not even sure where I’m going, but when I find myself outside the nearest coffee shop, I take a tentative step in. I never come in here. There’s free coffee and tea in the break room at the library, so it feels indulgent to purchase a cup for myself now. I really can’t even afford to splurge on a four-dollar cup of coffee with the bills I have this month, but when the woman standing behind the counter sees me, she smiles, and I take a step toward her.
“What can I get you?” she asks.
I mumble something off the menu, and don’t even realize I’m ordering a specialty drink. It costs more than I’m expecting, so I fumble in my bag for loose change, my hands trembling because I’m embarrassed. I don’t belong in a place like this. I try to dress in a way that doesn’t attract attention, yet being here in my long skirt and thick sweater sets me apart from the well-dressed business people.
My fingers finally find one last coin that I need, but a deep voice behind me grabs my attention.
“I’ll get her coffee.”
I know it’s him before I turn to look. The moment I hear him, my body reacts. My breathing hitches and my pulse accelerates. My cheeks warm, and there’s a strange tingling sensation along the back of my neck.
I turn to face him and smile in a way that I hope appears casual.
“Good morning,” I say. “Thank you.”
Today he’s dressed in the same work clothes he wore the day before. His hair’s still damp from a shower, and he runs his fingers quickly through it before he smiles back at me.
“Good morning, Sadie. Enjoy your coffee.” He takes the cup of coffee from the girl behind the counter, hands it to me, and to my disappointment, leaves.
I take the coffee and stare off at him.
“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” says a voice to my right. I turn startled eyes to see a young woman dressed to perfection in a navy business suit and heels, staring after him.
“Yes,” I reply in surprise.
She smiles sadly. “Beautiful and dangerous, like a prowling lion.” She looks to me. “You must be a special girl,” she says. “He never speaks to anyone. And yet for you, he called you by name and bought you coffee.” She sips from the cup in her hand while she scans my worn, drab clothing, my hair twisted into a bun at the nape of my neck, my pale, makeup-free face.
“He’s come in here every day for a week,” she says. “It’s interesting. There isn’t a construction job for miles.” She takes another sip of coffee then stares off toward the doorway. “I wonder why.” Then her gaze comes back to mine and she sobers.
“Are you related?”
I shake my head dumbly. I know why she asked. Surely a man who looks like a god wouldn’t have a romantic interest in a girl like me.
“Well, finish your drink,” she says. “It’s not every day a man like him buys you a drink.” She gives me a wink and leaves.
I take a sip from my cup and look out the door. I wonder if he’ll come back. But he doesn’t. I decide to head back to the library oddly disappointed, but curious.
Why does he come here? Where did he come from?
On my way back to the library, I enjoy my coffee, but I’m plagued with curiosity. Who is this mysterious stranger?Chapter ThreeKazimirMy plan was to get her to fall for me. Seduce her, as it were. I can get what I want from her by force, or I can do it with seduction.
I prefer both.
But when Dimitri calls me, he explains the need for me to come home sooner than later. When the Pakhan gives an order, we obey. He’s our leader. The father of our group. A man who rules with an iron fist but pledges loyalty to the men beneath him. In turn, we swear our allegiance to him.