Chapter 3
CHAPTER
THREE
Sia
So, Lettie’s dad was terrifying.
And an asshole.
I’d never met an adult male who cursed so much. At least in front of someone he just met. I mean, I cursed but again, he just met me.
What. The. Hell.
He’d been completely foreboding, dominating , and if I hadn’t been questioning the whole mafia thing before, I was now.
Especially considering what he’d called me.
I didn’t know if that had been Russian or what, but since Lettie’s last name, Petrov, sounded Russian I could assume he spoke Russian to me.
What was this place I was staying at and who was that crazy, scary dude who pretty much ripped me out of Lettie’s bed? I told Lettie I shouldn’t have been staying in there yet, but she insisted since she said she’d be spending her last night before leaving with her boyfriend. I guess they dated all throughout high school or something.
They’d been gone all morning, Lettie and her dad, and I hadn’t really known what to do after that, so I waited. They’d basically been gone for hours, and when they did come home, Lettie apologized profusely. She felt really bad about how her dad acted toward me, but that wasn’t her fault.
It was the asshole’s.
He’d looked at me so unusually in Lettie’s room. Like I’d been an insect he couldn’t wait to dissect. While apologizing, Lettie said she’d at least reminded her dad about who I was. By the end of the conversation, it sounded like they were on the same page finally. Goody goody gumdrops for me.
I needed my jellybeans.
I found a bag of them in the closet with my things, and I immediately munched on the yellow ones. They all technically tasted the same, but I liked the yellow ones best. I did that after Lettie and Mr. Petrov left for the second time that morning, and Lettie must have been able to convince her dad she could go to school because that’s where they headed off to.
I took the opportunity to leave my room.
At least, I thought this was still my room. I thought I worked here. I didn’t really know now. Lettie sounded like everything was fine.
But with her gone now…
I tried not to freak out about that, eating my jellybeans while I tried to find my way around the Petrov manor. Manor it was. The place was like an old school palace out of some fantasy novel. It had paintings everywhere and the ceilings had even been painted like ones in an actual palace. There were flying cherubs and Greek gods up there.
The place was completely foreboding, dark. What little light there was came from flickering wall sconces that gave the illusion of candlelight. The manor definitely held its place in the haunted castle territory.
About the only place I was familiar with was where the dog, Polly, was staying. Her residence wasn’t even technically in the house, but the wing off the side of it. It was bougie as fuck like the rest of the place but, apparently, Lettie’s dad wanted the dog in there until it was properly housebroken. This was my job, but I wasn’t too keen on the fact that Polly was just out there by herself.
It was lonely.
I knew a little something about that and, while I met Polly yesterday, she still had a bit of hesitance when I entered her space. This wasn’t surprising since she was out here by herself.
I grumbled at her owner’s doing. Mr. Petrov was something else. I put him out of my mind while I got Polly out. Another job of mine was to make sure she was fed, watered, and walked.
Polly was a German Shepherd that was about twice my size and nearly as tall. She was a hella intimidating dog and probably the best breed to get if someone wanted to look tough or like they didn’t give a fuck. She definitely looked like she’d take a bite out of someone, but she was basically still a puppy at one year old.
“Come on, girl.” I met her only briefly yesterday, but when I held myself in a position to let her know I wasn’t a threat, she came easily.
Big softy.
I nearly had her on her back at one point, rubbing her stomach. Grinning, I worked on a couple commands to get her alert before taking her out onto the Petrovs’ property.
And property it was. The place was friggin’ huge. I wouldn’t take Polly far since I didn’t want to get lost.
We traveled through the Petrovs’ gardens a bit, and I worked on keeping her walking with me rather than tugging. She was a fast learner, so I didn’t have to give her too many reward treats, which was good. Dogs could get reliant on those.
“Good girl.” I rubbed her as I got a text from my phone. I pulled it out.
Lettie: I’m so sorry again.
I smiled.
Me: Aren’t you supposed to be like in the air or something?
Polly started tugging again, getting impatient. I rubbed her again while Lettie’s text message bubble came up.
Lettie: Still waiting. Just wanted to message before I took off.
Lettie: Also, to make sure you weren’t going to run. I know my dad can be intense.
Well, that was the understatement of the year.
Me: Honestly, I was waiting for the ball to drop and you or him to tell me I couldn’t work here anymore.
Which would suck. I needed this job and the place to stay. I was desperate.
Lettie: Oh thank God you still want the job. And I know my dad can be gruff, but he will soften up. He’s just not quick to warm up to people.
Yeah, I got that.
Lettie: I’m so glad you’re staying though, and I know I’m far away but always text me if you need something.
She definitely didn’t need to worry about me when she was about to be in her first year of college.
I glanced around then, a prickle on my neck. I wasn’t sure why I decided to turn around in that moment, but when I looked up, I realized why.
A man stood in the wide window facing the Petrovs’ gardens.
Mr. Petrov had a glass of something brown in his hand. Something he tipped back before staring at me. He saluted me with it and his tatted fingers, his eyes cold and dismissive before he gave his back to me and walked away.
Yeah, that guy was a barrel of laughs.
But then again, so was I.
Lettie: I appreciate you being there, and I know this is a lot to ask and completely out of the job description, but would it be too much if you could keep an eye on him for me? I mean, like just be around and present. I really don’t like him in that big house by himself.
He technically wasn’t. These people had so many staff. I’d probably be interacting with him a lot since I needed to train him as much as the dog.
But could Mr. Petrov be trained?
I wasn’t sure, but it wasn’t my job to question. It was my job to train and that was what I’d do.
I assured Lettie I’d be around, but I wasn’t sure about looking out for her dad. That guy seemed like the last person to need someone looking out for him.
After wishing Lettie good luck on her first semester, I took Polly inside. I rewarded her with treats for staying by my side. I was so distracted that I jumped when someone cleared their throat.
“Miss Reynolds, could you come in here please?”
Even his voice gave me chills, pricked goosebumps on my skin.
Standing tall, I rerouted myself and Polly into the dining room I’d apparently passed. That was where I heard Mr. Petrov’s voice. He sat with his liquor and lunch at a large oak table.
King of his castle, he sat back, watching me from basically a throne-like seat. All the seats in the room had high backs, but his was the tallest.
I fought my eyes from lifting, trying to be respectful. Despite that, my fingers itched to get the jellybeans in my pocket.
He’s not going to intimidate me.
I made myself a promise years ago I wouldn’t be intimidated when it came to strong men. I could take care of myself and had been for a long time.
“Sit, Polly,” I said.
The dog sat at my side; something I’d been working with her on all morning. Mr. Petrov seemed less than impressed, a newspaper in his hand while he ate his lunch. The man had a large T-Bone steak in front of him and, like, who ate that for lunch casually?
“I’m sure you know dogs aren’t allowed in the main house,” he said, peering over his newspaper. He actually appeared a semblance of normal with reading glasses on, but when he lowered the paper the fact this man wasn’t normal rang through the air. Another white dress shirt strained over his bulky body, the buttons laboring at the seams. He had tattoos on his chest too: black, the ink faint like prison tats.
God, what was I getting myself into?
Mr. Petrov’s head cocked. “Miss Reynolds?”
I realized then I’d been staring at him—at all those tattoos in particular. I peered off. “Lettie told me, but I lost my way in this house.”
He was smirking when I finally looked at him, something I totally remembered upstairs. He had a cocky smile, like he ruled the world and I was just honored to be in it.
He pointed with his newspaper. “The dog’s quarters can always be accessed from the foyer.”
“Polly.”
“What?”
“The dog’s name is Polly,” I corrected. “You should call her by her name. She needs to know you and your voice.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes, and my name is Sia. You can call me that, or Ms. Reynolds, but I just wanted to let you know.”
Because he had problems remembering things and all that.
Mr. Petrov’s smile deepened, and for someone who probably spoke Russian, I noticed he didn’t have an accent. Nor did Lettie. He might be second generation or something.
“I remember, Miss Reynolds.” He sat back. “And while we’re on the topic of names, you will call me Mr. Petrov while you’re here. You’re staff, and that’s what staff calls me.”
I wondered what his first name was. I hadn’t asked Lettie.
His lips thinned. “And the dog and you are my daughter’s idea. If I had it my way, I’d be free of both of you.”
At least he was honest. Jesus.
“I don’t need a dog to babysit me,” he snipped, obviously having figured out Lettie’s plan. He peered over me. “As far as you, I’m aware how you and my daughter met.”
“Community service, yes. Lettie hit a cop.”
“It seems you guys share that in common.”
True, but not in the same way.
Mr. Petrov had obviously looked me up, and Lettie mentioned he found that particular detail of my past funny.
“But what you don’t share is your own rap sheet,” he continued, and though I knew this was probably coming, my stomach still soured. “In and out of juvie since you were thirteen, and at one point, you set your foster family’s house on fire.”
He really did look into me. I stood tall. “I have a history.”
And that was all I’d say about that.
Lettie said he was cool…
I felt really sick now, real fucking sick. Especially talking about my history in the system.
“What you’ve gotten up to most recently is light in comparison,” Mr. Petrov said, obviously referencing the drugs and the cop. He frowned. “But I’m also aware that my daughter trusts you, and when I heard what you did for her during her community service stint, I’m finding that hard to ignore. It seems a thank you is in order there.”
“It was nothing.” It was nothing. Lettie was green when it came to breaking the law, clearly. So she’d been a target of some of the more seasoned kids. I stepped in when some of them were giving her a hard time one day when we were picking up trash. We had to work at a zoo together cleaning up.
Mr. Petrov smiled a little, as if at a thought. “I’m sure you and I both know Lettie doesn’t typically get into trouble. She’s a pampered princess,” he stated, and I almost laughed but didn’t dare. This guy was so fucking serious. “But that’s no fault of hers. I’ve raised her not to need anything.”
Well, he definitely achieved that.
His eyes narrowed. “I do thank you for what you did, and you obviously impressed my daughter with your knowledge of animals that day cleaning the zoo. I remember she couldn’t stop talking about that. She said the girl she met during her community service was a genius.”
“Hardly. I just used to work in a vet clinic.” I shrugged. “So I knew a few things.”
He scanned me after I said that, and I found my cheeks more warm from that than the memories. My heart raced too, and I reached for my jellybeans.
“That being said, there are rules in this house. Rules like keeping the dog in its proper quarters. And I’m having your things moved. I understand my daughter was being generous, but you are staff, and I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to stay in her room.”
He’d probably have me out with the dog since he clearly wanted nothing to do with me, and it made sense now why he was letting me stay.
He felt he owed me something. A guy like this didn’t seem like the type to like owing someone anything.
He rubbed his knuckles. “Staff quarters are in the west wing. That’s where you’ll be. As far as general house rules, there are places you—or anyone else for that matter—aren’t allowed to go in this house if you’re not me. If you have any questions about those places, ask Sophia. I’m sure you’ve met her.”
I had. I nodded. “Is now a good time to discuss my own rules?”
His head jerked up. He’d gone back to his paper at this point.
“Rules for the dog?” I stated. Polly was still sitting quietly, the sweetie. I looked up. “After all, I’ll be training her as much as you.”
So…originally that was just a thought in my head, and I definitely hadn’t intended on actually voicing my annoyance.
He’d talked down to me.
I swallowed upon watching his face. His handsome features managed to darken, grow colder. He placed down his newspaper. “Are you sure you’re twenty, Miss Reynolds?”
More facts he’d looked into about me. My throat flicked again. “Yes. Why?”
His shrug was subtle, passive. It accompanied his cocky smirk, and I fought myself from voicing another quip. He chuckled. “Because I’ve had grown men not dare say such things to me.”
I didn’t want to say I was grown because then I’d sound like a child. I didn’t like when people talked down to me and, most especially, not because of my age. I’d taken care of myself my whole life, and he was a grown ass man that had people no doubt making that fancy lunch he ate.
Who was the child now?
I didn’t say who. Instead, I gripped Polly’s lead when Mr. Petrov stood.
He approached, a hand in his pocket, and I definitely noticed his appraisal of me. I was always aware when men looked at me. His eyes narrowed. “Remember your place in this house, malyshka ,” he said, and when I backed up a little he grinned. “Your stay in my home and working for me is provisional.”
He lifted his tatted fingers, like he’d touch me but, instead, he gestured me away.
I turned quickly, but not before noticing his head cock. He also chuckled lightly before going back to his lunch. Perhaps this Mr. Petrov got off on making people squirm and fear him but, newsflash to him, I didn’t scare easy.
I hadn’t for a long time.