Strife: Part Two (The Strife Series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

this guy. Can't fucking believe him. What a douchey asshole.
    “You watch your tone.” He points at me, his finger practically in my face.
    I suck back the urge to completely lose it and go off on him. If I didn't need this job so badly, it wouldn't even be a question. My nerves are right at the edge and it's taking everything in me to keep from falling over.
    For several seconds, we just stare at each other. I know I have to keep my cool, have to submit to his authority over me. It's the only way I'm going to get what I need from him.
    “Listen, I'm sorry.” I deflate. “Please at least give me a little credit for showing up and attracting the interest of an important client. I want to make money for you. I want to make money for both of us, but we both know I can't do it with just one dress. What if Brodie, I mean Dmitri, requests me again tonight? Am I supposed to wear the same thing?”
    I highly doubt he'll request me again. I screwed up way too badly. More than likely, if he does turn into a repeat customer, he'll ask for another girl. It's a harrowing thought, but one I need to accept as reality.
    James runs his fingers through his hair, and I can tell that he's considering what I said. He glances at my dress again. “Fine, but only because I'm a generous man. You get two hundred and fifty dollars right now, and as collateral, if you don't show up for work tonight, you won't see a penny more for your efforts last night. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, sir.” Internally, I sigh in relief. Two hundred and fifty dollars will definitely get me through until payday.
    James takes a hesitant step back inside. “Stay right there, and I'll get your money.”
    I nod, waiting patiently while he disappears, closing the door behind himself. The sun has long ago risen from the horizon, and the sweltering California heat is starting to get to me. I hope he hurries up.
    Of course, he doesn't. I'm left standing there for a good ten minutes, readjusting my boxes of leftovers, which feel heavier with each passing minute. By the time he returns, there's sweat rolling down my brow. I force a smile though every muscle in my face is set in scowl mode.
    James holds the money out to me, then pulls it away when I try to take it from him. “You will be at work tonight or not a penny more. And you will be on time. If you're not on time tonight, you're fired.”
    If my hands were free, I'd mock salute him. The best disdainful gesture I can make at the moment though is to jerk the money out of his hand.
    “Got it, boss.” My face feels tight as I squeeze my eyes shut, and I know that the smile I'm wearing looks sarcastic.
    “And lose the attitude.” He points at me again. “Most girls don't get a second chance like this.”
    Second chance. I grunt as I turn away from him. If this is my second chance at life, then it feels like there's no hope for me.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    DMITRI
     
     
    I press my back against the door, listening to the faint sound of Alexis' footsteps as they pad down the hall, then the dinging of the elevator as it opens to her. I hate that I'm sending her back out into the world with nothing but a box of biscuits and leftover pancakes.
    Part of me wants to go after her, but I know there's no point. I have business to attend to, and I can't exactly keep her hostage. Besides, this is the life she chose and I need to let her live it.
    I push myself away from the door with a sigh and finish getting ready for the big day ahead. Soon I'll be meeting the cast and crew of Master of Payback, the movie that I'm staring in. More importantly, I'll be meeting Marie Overton, the woman of my dreams.
    Half of my goal for coming here was to woe and marry her. It's been all I've been able to think about ever since I found out she was cast as the heroine. Well, all I was able to think about until last night.
    I shake my head, clearing away thoughts of the melancholy blonde-haired beauty who shared my bed last night. It's time to