went back to her desk and began answering the mail.
It was good to be back at work, good to be immersed in mundane, everyday matters.
She went to lunch with Linda. They ate at the mall across the street, and then wandered though one of the gift shops. Marisa bought a present for the office gift exchange, and picked out a delicate hand-painted teapot for her mother.
Returning to the office, she got caught up with the mail. She sat in on a meeting, taking notes. Salazar recorded all his meetings, but he still liked her to be there, to jot down pertinent points, to make note of their clients' reactions to things that were discussed.
Back at her desk, she typed up her notes, her mind straying, as it had several times that day, to Alexi. Where was he? Would he come back? What was she going to do about Edward and Grigori? She couldn't have them trailing after her day and night. Grigori had said Edward was sweet on her, and she didn't want to have to deal with that. Nor did she want to deal with Grigori. She was attracted to him in a way she'd never been attracted to another man, but he wasn't a man, he was a vampire.
She stared at the computer screen. She would tell them both tonight that she appreciated what they'd done, but that she didn't need them to shadow her every move.
She finished typing up her notes, dropped them on Salazar's desk, and bid him good night.
Edward was waiting for her outside. He was wearing a dark brown sweater, tan slacks, and loafers. He smiled when he saw her.
"I guess they didn't fire you after all," he remarked.
"No."
He opened the car door for her, then went around to the driver's side and slid behind the wheel. "So how was your day?"
"Fine. Busy." She smiled at him. "Lots of catching up to do."
Edward nodded. "Would you like to go out to dinner?"
"I don't think so."
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. "Got a date with Chiavari?"
"No. Why?" She turned sideways in her seat. "You're not going to... Tell me you aren't."
"He's a vampire, Marisa. We've got to kill them before they kill us. It's as simple as that."
"No! I owe him my life."
"Dammit, Marisa, the man is evil."
"I don't believe that."
"You're in love with him, aren't you?"
"No!"
Edward pulled up in front of her apartment and switched off the engine. "Listen to me. He's a vampire. He's taken your blood. He can read your mind. He can make you do whatever he wants, make you think you're in love with him. You can't trust him, Marisa. You can't trust any of them! They aren't human. They have no morals, no qualms about taking whatever they want."
"Edward, I appreciate your concern and everything you've done for me, really I do, but - " She blew out a deep breath. "I don't think I want to see you again. Or Grigori, either. I just want to forget this whole thing ever happened."
"I can't just abandon you. What if Alexi comes back?"
"I don't know. Maybe he won't."
"And what if he does?"
"I guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it. All I know is, I can't go on like this, being afraid all the time."
Edward sighed heavily. "All right, Marisa, if that's what you want."
"I'm sorry, Edward."
"Yeah, me too." He smiled at her, a melancholy smile that filled her with guilt. "Take care."
"I will."
"Would it be all right if I called now and then, just to make sure you're all right?"
"Of course." She unfastened her seat belt, then leaned across the seat and kissed him on the cheek. "Good-bye, Edward."
"You've got my number, in case you need me?"
"Yes."
"Don't hesitate to use it."
"I won't." She opened the door and slid out of the car. "Good night."
"Good night, Marisa."
She stood on the curb, watching him drive away, wondering if she had done the right thing.
Inside her apartment, she slipped the soundtrack to Braveheart in the CD player. The movie had been a little too bloody for her taste, but the music was beautiful.
Changing out of her work clothes, she went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.
"Well, Mother Hubbard," she muttered, "it looks like the cupboard is bare."
Closing the door, she grabbed her purse and headed for Angelo's. She wasn't in the mood to be alone, anyway.
"Hey, sweet cheeks, long time no see."
Marisa smiled at the waiter. "How are you, Tommy?"
"Fine, as always. You're looking good."
"Well,