Antione's Job

When Cora awoke, she realized she was in the back of a limousine and covered by a thin black blanket. In the corner an intricate MA was embroidered with rich gold thread. Looking around Cora realized the man Antoine was in the back with her but sitting as far from her as possible. When he realized she was awake he gestured to her bag that was positioned by her feet.

"You should change, I doubt you want to enter the camp dressed as you are." Seeing her alarmed look, Antoine continued. "I will not look. I assure you that you are not my type."

Cora noticed first that Antione had a slight French accent, then that he was not looking at her and somehow, she trusted that he would not look, and looking down at herself she paled. Cora really did not want to go into the camp practically nude. Gathering her clothes from her bag she changed as quickly as possible before looking at her uniform, she scoffed at it being called a uniform which earned a quick glance from Antione. She laid her uniform neatly on the seat.

"You can keep that if you want." Antione told the girl.

"No thanks, I would prefer to never see it again." Antione chuckled reaching across the space and picking the scraps up; he rolling down the window and tossed them out. "Done."

Cora smirked at his action not having expected anything like it from the man.

"When we get to the camp, I will help you gather your belongings and settle up with the manager. Then we can go to the tower where you can get settled into your new apartment." Antione spoke casually.

"I don't have much at the camp. My few belongings are in storage." Cora told him absently.

"Then we can go there next and gather those so you can move in properly." Antione waved a hand in her direction.

This made Cora suspicious. Were they trying to erase her? Was that the play? "I can go get those items another day."

"Very well, just thought I would offer since you have use of the car until I get you to the tower." Antione said watching the girl surreptitiously.

"So it's my choice?" Cora asked feeling foolish.

"Of course, you are not a hostage, my dear. You have been offered a job, a very good job and a significant upgrade to your lot in life but you do not have to accept it. I can drop you off at the camp if you feel uncomfortable with any of this. I can simply drop you at the camp. You could still come in to work at five on Monday." Antione took a heavy breath before continuing.

"You would be making a mistake; the job comes with an apartment in the tower which is prestigious on its own. You have had a tough break through no actions of your own and you deserve better than what you have now. However, it is your life to live, and I will not force you. Make your decision, we are nearly there." Antione said what he felt was important for Cora to hear and went silent.

Cora watched the man for a few minutes thinking over what he said and his apparent ease as he looked out the window. The man had plenty of opportunities to harm her while she was unconscious, while they were at the club and yet he said he was taking her to someplace better. Why?

"Why go to all this trouble for me? I'm a nobody." Cora asked truly curious because she couldn't fathom a reason why she was being pulled from the dregs of society.

"I'm afraid that is between you and Ms. Atlas. I am doing my job. My job is to see you safely to the tower so that you can do your job. I don't have an opinion beyond that." Antione explained quickly. Cora felt that Antione likely had a great many opinions on this situation but understood that he wasn't going to share them with her.

"We can go to the storage and get my other belongings if you're still willing. There isn't much but it would be nice to have what there is." Cora said quietly offering a small smile.

Antione nodded, "very good. I am at your disposal." Antione hoped this situation would somehow be resolved quickly and quietly. Right now, he knew that this small girl could be Margo's undoing. The fearsome vampire leader being taken down by this small scrap of a girl with blonde hair seemed unfathomable, but it could happen very easily.

The girl could also one day be a friend and equally ferocious vampire herself. Only time would tell but for now they needed her safe and as untraceable as possible for as long as the eclipse remained over them. If the eclipse had not been over them, right now the girl would be turning so that these dangers never had the opportunity to manifest.

They were stuck, but Antione would do what he could to ease Margo's burden. She was his oldest friend, understanding him in ways no one else ever had. Antione would always do what he could for her. Protecting her mate was automatic to him. He didn't need to like the circumstance, he would do what was best for Margo, himself, and their entire clan.

They arrived at the camp a few minutes later and Antione followed Cora to see the night attendant, the limousine was drawing a crowd and Cora was feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Cora told the manager she was checking out and the boy's eyebrows shot into his hairline as he glanced from her to Antione and back again. Cora knew what the manager thought, what they all thought.

The manager told her she needed to dismantle her camp and return everything to the kiosk before she left. Antione produced a couple hundred-dollar bills and told the manager he could have them if he did that part himself. The kid happily agreed and followed them down to the camp site. Antione had been watching Cora become embarrassed and didn't care for the tone surrounding them. The sooner they left the better.

Cora went inside her tent and stuffed her belongings into a duffel bag as quickly as she could. She kept telling herself that it didn't matter what these people thought because she knew it wasn't true, but it stung to have people think she had sunk even lower than this shitty position. Finally, having everything she was willing to leave at camp fit in one small bag; Cora rejoined Antione telling him they could leave now.

Antione guided her along and was helping her into the car when one middle-aged woman called out. "We'll see you in a couple of weeks honey when he's through with you. Enjoy it while it lasts."

Climbing into the car he noted that Cora was hurriedly swiping tears away from her eyes and knew nothing he said would help right now. He sat back quietly leaving it open for Cora to speak to him if she wanted, but she never did.