Page 76 of What He Keeps

Less than thirty minutes later, my phone rings while I'm carrying a stack of donation forms toward the office. Seeing Alexei's name across the screen sends another ridiculous flutter through my chest.

“Hello to you too,” I answer.

The low rumble of his voice slides through the line. “You're supposed to say hello first.”

“Accordin’ to who?”

“Basic manners.”

I push open the office door and drop the paperwork onto my desk before sinking into the chair. Sunlight glows through the blinds overlooking the parking lot, and beyond the glass, I can see one of Alexei's security men standing near the entrance.

“You called me durin’ business hours to discuss manners?”

There's a short pause before amusement creeps into his voice. “You sound better.”

The observation surprises me because it means he's paying attention. Not just to where I am or whether I've eaten, but to how I sound.

“I'm at work. It helps.”

“Have you eaten?”

There it is.

I close my eyes and laugh softly. “Alexei.”

“Maggie.”

The warning in his voice only makes me smile more. “Yes, dear.”

“What did you eat?” he presses.

“Mama packed enough food to survive the apocalypse.”

“That doesn't answer the question,” he insists.

“A sandwich.”

“Good.”

I stare at the phone after the call ends.

Good.

That's it.

The man interrogates me about lunch and then hangs up like he's conducting a board meeting.

When I look up, Jules is standing in the doorway watching me with entirely too much interest.

He shakes his head slowly. “Oh no.”

“What?” I ask warily.

He points at me with his pen. “That smile.”

“Don't,” I warn him.

“You smiled.”