A Demonic Bundle Read Online Free PDF Page B

waiter, but that didn’t make any sense here.
    She had a feeling he did work here though. In fact, she was sure of that, but where?
    She studied his handsome face, a friendly face, a sincere face. From her experience, that wasn’t the norm in this environment.
    For a moment, her chest tightened with apprehension. It was impossible to know whom to trust here. What if he was one of them ? What if he was in the hallway spying for Finola? One of her lackeys.
    “Why don’t we take the freight elevator?” he said, startling her when she realized he’d caught her looking at him.
    He gestured to the metal elevator doors at the end of the hallway.
    She considered him for a second, then nodded. She had no idea why, but she trusted this man. Maybe it was the kindness in his hazel eyes. Maybe that kindness was a ruse, but right now, she needed to believe there was still someone in the world, at least in her world, who was exactly what he seemed.
    She followed him, trying not to look at him again. The door finally dinged and slid open. Again like a total gentleman, he waited for her to enter.
    Neither spoke as he hit one of the buttons, and the elevator started downward. For a brief moment, Ava realized she had no idea where this elevator went or where she was going. But before she could be too concerned, the door opened into another back hallway.
    “Uh, I wonder where we are.”
    Ava looked at him, then around. “I—I don’t know.”
    “Well, I guess we’ll find out.” He pointed to an unmarked door on their left. He strode over and pushed it open, just a bit, looking out. Then he glanced back at her, a smile making his face go from handsome to beautiful.
    “We can go out this way.”
    She nodded, again finding it strange how readily she just accepted whatever he said. He pushed open the door, and Ava stepped into a large workroom with different stations set up here and there.
    “Welcome to my glamorous world.”
    This time as she looked at him, recognition hit. She remembered now. He had been standing with a mail cart. He’d been delivering mail when Finola had been yelling at her.
    She glanced around, curious. The place was relatively quiet now, only a few mailroom employees milling around, none of whom hid their surprise as she followed—she supposed she should have asked her conspirator’s name—through the large work area.
    “I just have to get some things from my locker. Then I will walk you out.”
    She nodded, leaning against the wall outside the little employees’ break room. As she waited, a few more people watched her, some trying to be subtle with their curiosity, others a little more blatant. Ava shifted, feeling awkward.
    “Okay, all set.”
    Ava knew her relief was clear on her face as she turned to her “new friend.” He smiled, something almost sympathetic in his eyes as if he saw and understood her discomfort.
    He gestured for her to head down another hallway. He fell into step beside her. She noticed, from the corner of her eye, that he’d donned a lightweight jacket and had a backpack slung over his shoulder. He looked like an average guy leaving work. A normal guy. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest and an almost crippling longing made it hard for her to breathe.
    “Here we are,” he said, the heavy metal door scraping loudly as he shoved it open. Cool evening air greeted her, and she pulled in a deep breath, trying to push away these strange feelings pulling at her.
    She knew it was false freedom, but she loved the moments when she stepped out of the HOT! building. She could pretend she was just normal. Well, sometimes.
    Normal like him.
    “Do you need me to hail you a cab or anything?”
    She shook her head.
    He waited for a moment, as if he expected her to say something, then he nodded. “Okay. Well, be careful.”
    Just another moment’s hesitation, then he turned to head down the sidewalk. A sudden, almost panicked feeling tightened her chest, making her breathing shallow.
    She