Chapter 5 Cora moved back

Cora moved back against the door. He was handsome but in a terrifying way, like he'd been cut from marble but the sculptor had forgotten to smooth out the edges to soften the features. She could only guess at his age. Early-thirties, maybe? Shadows rested on much of his face, especially under his eyes. These he moved over her, taking in her too short dress, her unshod feet, her wet hair.

Cora, heart racing painfully, stood like a statue.

Neither of them said anything.

Slowly the man rose, a question forming on his lips. Cora also stepped forward, mind racing with possible explanations.

But she met the man's eyes, dark gray, accented by the brooding light, and her mind went blank. She wasn't sure if it was the remnants of the drugs in her system or just being near this man. She swallowed hard.

Behind her, a knock sounded sharply against the door. Cora shot backwards, her arms wrapped around herself.

"Mr. Ubeli?" someone called.

"Yes?" the man answered without taking his eyes from her.

The door opened slightly and Cora shrank back. The speaker didn't enter the room, though, and she was completely hidden behind the door.

"We got a guy out here, says he's lost some lamb he's lookin' out for. You hear?"

"I hear, Sharo," said the man called Mr. Ubeli. "Get rid of him."

Cora felt her whole body relax. Her breath escaped silently, even as Sharo said, "You got it, boss. Do you want me to dump him?"

"No, turn him away." Mr. Ubeli glanced down at his desk, shifting some papers as he called out orders. "Smack him a bit if he means trouble."

"Yeah, Mr. Ubeli. Will do."

The door closed, leaving Cora exposed again, alone with Mr. Ubeli. For a moment, he studied her with narrowed eyes.

"Was that guy giving you trouble?" he asked, moving out from behind his desk.

"Yes," Cora whispered. "Thank you."

Hunching her shoulders, she shivered, and Mr. Ubeli came forward, carefully like she was a wild animal that might run.

She shrank away, but he walked past her, going to the coat rack beside the door and lifting a coat from it. Returning, he held it out, shaking the sleeve toward her arm.

For a second Cora didn't move. She stared up at the man, into the deep, shadowed eyes. Turning, she put her arm through the sleeve, and let him help her into the coat. Once it was on, she realized it was a suit jacket, gray and too big for her, hanging slightly over her hands.

But as she wrapped it around herself, it felt like a shield against all that had happened tonight. The wave of relief hit her so hard that she all but collapsed into the chair the man guided her to in front of his desk.

She was finally safe.

It was over.

She sank back into the chair. She hoped her wet dress wouldn't ruin the red leather but she couldn't give it more than a moment's thought. It was so warm in here. Warmth and safety felt like everything that mattered in the world.

Stupid, really. She was still out of a job. And since the job had been a live-in nannying gig, she was also out of a place to live. She drew the coat even tighter around herself.

"You were his girl?"

It took a second to register his meaning, but as soon as it did- "No," Cora said violently, shaking her head and shuddering, "No. I didn't know him before tonight. He put something in my drink. And he-he-"

"Hey," he said softly, his eyebrows furrowed. "I'll make sure he never shows his face around here again."

Who was this man, to make such a promise? But the way he stated it, with such authority, made her believe it. It should have disconcerted her maybe.

Instead all she felt was relief.

Relief and warmth.

She nuzzled her head into the plush leather of the wing-backed chair. Gods she was tired. More tired than she'd ever been in her whole life.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Cora," she said automatically, and then pressed her lips together. Should she have told him her name? Strangers are dangerous, her mother's words rang through her head. The outside world is treacherous. It's only safe here on the farm. I'm the only one you can trust.

"Nice to meet you Cora. I'm Marcus. Marcus Ubeli."

She nodded sleepily.

"Nice...to meet you...too."

Her eyes kept falling shut. It was rude and she struggled to blink them open. She really did. Well maybe she'd rest them. But only for a moment.

Only...a...moment.

But the warmth folded her under and she fell asleep.