CHAPTER 7
FRANKIE
∞
I seriously can’t believe Adrian didn’t hear about what happened at the tower. I told him all the basic information because I’m not actually suicidal. He seemed pleased that Wren Valkyrie accepted my position, and quickly shooed me away.
I feel exhausted as I get back in my shit box car and make my way home. It’s getting pretty late already, and I hate being out at this time of night, especially in my end of town. It’s not that I can’t hold my own, it’s that I don’t want to right now.
I stare up at my shitty apartment building and drag myself out of my car. I glance over to the passenger seat and roll my eyes before grabbing the folder on King douchebag.
I really wish I had enough money to move.
The elevator has been broken for almost a year now and today feels even more exhausting than usual going up the six floors to my apartment.
“Stupid fucking door,”
I groan when it fights me trying to pry it open. I stumble into the entrance, just about smacking my face on the coatrack hanging on the wall. “I’m home, baby.”
I glance around and smile when I hear the jingling of a bell. My one and only love comes running towards me. “Hi, Nyx! Did you miss me today?”
My cat purrs and rubs herself against my legs until I pick her up in my arms and carry her over to the small fridge in the shitty kitchen. I open it and let out a sigh. “Fuck, I need food.”
My stomach growls, but unfortunately the fridge is empty except for a bad carton of milk that I keep forgetting to toss, and a couple cans of beer.
I grab a beer and set her down to grab some cat food for her. I may starve myself, but I won’t allow my girl to go without. She purrs happily as she eats her food, and I slowly strip off my clothes as I make my way to my small bedroom. I toss the folder on the bed, flopping down onto my stomach in just my bra and underwear.
I feel Nyx jump up on the bed and I smile to myself as she curls herself up between my legs as I open the folder. I brush my fingers against his picture, shaking my head at the ridiculousness I experienced tonight. Wren Valkyrie is not only the vampire King…he’s a fucking big-time lawyer…because he didn’t have enough money just by existing. Valkyrie Tower isn’t just a front. He actually runs his business out of there, but he has apartments set up within the tower for all those that work under him. Alex probably lives in the tower as well for that matter. I’m sure he’s incurred a small fortune since he’s almost five centuries old.
I caught small fragments in his voice from a previous time, but he’s done well to incorporate himself into the modern world. He would have to learn everything about society since he’s working in it under the guise of being a lawyer. He’s probably really smart, which just pisses me off more.
I startle when I hear the buzzer to my apartment. I glance over at my phone and confusion hits me. It’s eleven at night already and I can’t think of anyone that could possibly be downstairs at this hour. I drag myself out of bed and head over to the com. It crackles as I push the button. “Who is it?”
“Hello Miss. Denali. My name is Ford and I’ve been sent over from Valkyrie Tower with a package for you.”
“Oh…alright, just give me a minute. I’ll be right down.”
Fuck me, I have to do the stairs again.
I throw on some shorts and a tank top and jog down the stairs, pulling the door open slightly. “What’s the package?” I murmur.
He eyes me wearily and hands me an envelope. “Have a good night, Miss. Denali.”
I quickly close the door between us and head back upstairs, rolling the package around in my hands. I rip open the envelope, and another envelope is inside, as well as a note.
Francesca,
Here is your advance for this assignment. Hopefully this makes it worth you endangering yourself for no fucking reason, and if you survive this, there will be another payment waiting for you.
Wren.
Payment? I’m already getting paid to be an enforcer…this was never in the plan. I open the envelope, and my eyes widen at the wads of cash stuffed inside. “Ten thousand dollars?!”
This fucker is actually certifiable. This is more money than I’ve made over the last year.
Fuck. I could really use this…
My stomach growls again and I let out a sigh. He’s trying to buy me off, the fucking prick.
I can’t keep this.
I grab a sweater and bolt out the door. I know I can just return this tomorrow when I see him, but it just isn’t sitting right, that he thinks he can just throw money at me like this. I hop back in my car and swear the entire way back to Valkyrie Tower.