The Blood In the Beginning Read Online Free Page B

believe. If I’d not been somewhat self-conscious, I might have whooped aloud. But Daniel seemed a reserved kind of guy and, for some inexplicable reason, that mattered to me. Before I knew it, we were up at the foyer, my hand captured inside both of his.
    â€˜I’ll check on you later tonight, but you have my personal number.’ He pulled out a card and tucked it in my hand. ‘Call me any time.’
    I ran my thumb over the surface of the card. The writing was fine and slightly raised. This wasn’t a sleazy come-on. The man genuinely cared. He released my hand, waiting, as if I was meant to say more.
    â€˜I really appreciate the job.’
    â€˜See you tonight.’ With that, he retreated downstairs.
    The black suit stepped up to open the door and usher me out. It closed behind my back in a soft whoosh. I stood for a moment, the world muted, euphoria twirling around me like a candyfloss machine picking up threads of my mind and weaving them into a bundle of juicy sweet sugar. I headed down the street, revelling, but with every step I took, the traffic became louder, people pressed in, hurrying past, horns honked, exhaust thickened. I came back to myself. ‘What the hell just happened?’ I said aloud.
    Cate was right. There was definitely something odd about my new boss, Daniel Bane. Mesmerising? I relived the interview, the things I’d said, the questions unasked. I didn’t even bring up the safety regulations on street level. ‘Ava Sykes, I believe you have been wowed.’ That was so not me, but I couldn’t muster the energy to worry about it — also not like me and my analytical, detail loving Virgo mind. Cate wouldn’t steer me wrong, but I would have to watch myself around Daniel Bane. No hanky-panky. He had allure, but I had rules, and I kept them.
    I hadn’t seen Cate in over a week, but it had to be her who’d talked me up and pulled strings to land me a personal interview with the owner. It wasn’t like they headhunted bouncers, did they? I squirmed for a moment, thinking about the background check. Obviously, it hadn’t raised suspicions, and why would it? It had been watertight for years. Relax and enjoy the moment, already. Better yet, share the moment. I dug out my phone and dictated a text to Cate, avoiding cars while jaywalking to the bus stop on North Grand. By the time I said, ‘Send,’ the bus was pulling up, on its way to Huntington Park and beyond. I slid into a front seat and set my phone alarm. If I’d learnt anything as a student working nights, it was how to catnap, any time, anywhere. My eyes shut and that was it.
    * * *
    Dusk was falling twenty-five minutes later, turning one of the few trees on the block to gold. It was a yellow-leafed maple, bang in front of my kitchen window. Handy too. Its leaf colour was the main way to tell the seasons were changing. I trotted up the steps to the apartment building and caught a familiar fragrance. I knew what it meant. Cate at my door. I’d recognise her perfume anywhere. I also picked up the scent of green onions, mushrooms and basil along with a faint paper bag smell. She’d shopped. Damn, I knew I’d forgotten something. My mouth watered as I swiped my card, punched the code and buzzed myself in. Sure enough, standing in the hall was Cate, but her posture told me instantly she wasn’t here to celebrate my new job. Her body language spelled trouble with Joey, the on-again off-again asswipe boyfriend. I did have my psychic moments, but this was purely visual. Her duffle bag and backpack gave it away, along with the tears. I swiped the lock and let us both in.
    Cate dropped her duffel bag by the door and turned tear swollen eyes my way. ‘Mrs Beal let me in. She said it wasn’t safe out there.’
    â€˜She’s probably right.’
    Cate nodded, trying not to lose it. She was an exotic-looking woman, with high cheekbones, coffee skin, and