Page 40 of The Red Room
“They got here right before I did. I assumed it was some private party you were having. They’re still downstairs at the bar if you need to chaperone your brother,” I say with a laugh.
Nik, however, doesn’t. No, he stares more intently at the image of his brother giving a false grin. He finally nods and continues scrolling until he lands on the birthday pictures from this afternoon. Jonathan, a grin missing teeth and blue frosting decorating his cheeks and outstretched hands. It’s probably the best shot I was able to get of him, given the little guy is incapable of sitting still anyway, much less for a picture from some stranger with a camera.
Something breaks in Nik’s features, the hard lines of his face softening. “You’re really good at this,” he says, giving a slight smile until his expression returns stoic. “Are you busy tomorrow?”
Busy? The short answer is no, but he doesn’t need to know my calendar is embarrassingly empty. Plus, what am I gonna say? Oh, Nik, I have no plans. The girl that just—what is the term Courtney uses? A mouth-hug? Well, this mouth hugger is free to your every beck and call. Nothing more desirable than a recluse that can’t be bothered to put on a bra most days. So, yes, for the time being, I am busy. I am indisposed for the foreseeable future.
“Why?” I ask, drawing my brows together.
Nik hands me my camera, and I tuck it back in the bag slung over my shoulder. “We’re having an event tomorrow night. Could use a photographer.”
“I don’t know if you could afford me, Mr. Vostik,” I say sarcastically and tilt my chin to the ceiling. Never mind the sales rack clothes I’m wearing with birthday cake frosting staining the front pockets of my jeans.
Me? Taking pictures for a sure-to-be sold-out event at Völk? No, I have a hard enough time navigating this club as acivilian, let alone someone on the job. What would I do? Snap impromptu pictures of people living their best lives while in the company of an entire werewolf pack I’m not supposed to know about?Fat chance.
“Two grand,” he announces, his voice firm.
A choked gasp falls from my low-hanging jaw. “You—I? No. Nik … I can’t accept that.” Even my most professional shoots never amounted to more than a few hundred bucks and a pantry filled enough to last until the next one. Two thousand dollars for one night of work? He’s out of his fucking mind.
Nik grabs me by the waist and pulls me to his strong chest, the heavy scent of cedar and mint taunting me. “This isn’t charity. Some photographer in the city will get what I’ve set aside for promotional pictures. I have a few interviews in the morning. I can either cancel them and give you another excuse to come see me, or—” He pauses and sniffs along my neck, the feel of his breath tensing my body straight.
Fuck.Kind of hard to argue with that. Yes, I need the money. Yes, any excuse to come back here is one I’d lunge at, but taking money from him? How in the hell do I even begin to explain that on a 1099? Did you accept money from an irresistible club owner? If so, was this entrepreneur a werewolf you’ve fooled around with? Deductions here. Penalties there. I’d have the IRS knocking down the doors of Völk faster than the supernatural YouTubers ready to make their big break.
“Say yes, Natalia,” he insists, caressing my cheek with a gentle palm, leaving furnace heat to build under his fingertips.
Why? Why does this man have the power to level me to the floor like the chains near his feet? There’s something hypnotizing about him. Some unnatural force keeping me under a spell I can’t manage to break free from. The chains he wears to keep others safe are so different from the ones shackling meto him. Come daybreak, his come off. Mine don’t seem to have a key.
“Fine,” I relent. “But this is a professional job, so no funny business.” I give him a smirk and stand on my tiptoes, bringing my lips to his. How each kiss is more desirable than the last is beyond me. Every time I taste him, there’s a hunger for the next time our lips will meet. It’s too cliché to say he is a drug to me, butgoddammit, I’m addicted to him.
“Of course, Ms. Calder,” he says, his voice stern and poised. “I will handle all the arrangements and be your point of contact.” Nik draws me in close, a hand at each hip. The hint of a grin tilts one side of his face. “Oh, and if your pictures are not to the Völk standard, next time …youwill be wearing the chains.”
*
“I can’t believe you’re making me go back there,” Courtney says, adding blush to her high cheekbones. “In case you forgot, last time I wascarriedout of Völk.”
I glance at her reflection in the mirror, my eyes pleading. “I know, but it’d really mean a lot if you were there.”
“Ugh,” she scoffs, and slams down her makeup brush. “You owe me, bitch.”
“Thanks, Court,” I say and hug her from behind. I probably don’t express it enough if I’m being honest. She’s been there for me in ways my own family hasn’t. She is my family. And her agreeing to do this, to go back to Völk after she swore she wouldn’t, is just one more thing to add to my pile of IOUs.
“You think I should go with a black dress or red?” she asks, holding up each in contemplation. “Which do you think Viktor will like more?”
“Viktor?” I spit and roll my eyes. “I thought you hated him?” Little does she know I fucking despise him.
“Oh, I do. I just think he needs a reminder of what he lost by being such an insufferable prick last time.”
I giggle and add a coat of mascara. “Whatever you do, don’t drink the Vostik.” I fake gag and she too joins in.
“Or that shitty tasting glitter drink,” Courtney counters and writhes, disgust contorting her face.
Glitter drink? What is she talking about? I didn’t have—then I remember. The way the liquid dripped down the shot glass, sticking to my fingers before the drink was knocked from my hands as I was shoved to the floor. How Viktor insisted we each took one, practically begged us to, even. After everything Nik has told me about him, it seems even stranger now he’d do anything as some kind gesture. That wasn’t in his nature. No. “Some have to claw their way through life, while others are simply born to claw at those trying to survive,”Nik had said. So why was he so keen on giving us some special drink that was near impossible to get stateside? It doesn’t make sense.
“Might be best to steer clear of that one,” I say, imagining the horrible monster hiding beneath his massive build, white smile, and suit large enough to fit two regular-sized men. When Nik changed he doubled in size. It is impossible to think Viktor’s transformation would have the same effect. Something that big. That … savage. There’s no telling what kind of beast he becomes.
“Don’t worry about me. I can find someone to occupy my time while you’re off with Nik. Seriously. This is your night.”
Before I can shower her with more appreciation, three heavy knocks rap the front door of my apartment. We both stare at each other for a moment, maybe to make sure it wasn’t the air-conditioning trying to kick on for the third time tonight.