"And Iwouldhurt you," he said. "I wouldn't mean to. But I would."
"But why?"
"Because it's not my thing. I don't believe in it. Andyoudo."
I shook my head. "It?"
He said it again. "Love."
That word – it sounded so good from his lips. But the sentiment, it was all wrong. "But you love your family," I said. "And they loveyou."
With a rueful laugh, he said, "Not today."
I winced. "Yeah, I heard about the whole whistling thing. How's your eye, by the way?"
"Eh, it looks like shit. But I'm fine." His voice softened. "It'syou, I want to talk about."
"What about me?"
"Listen," he said, "I think you should find a new job."
Chapter 44
Cami
My mouth opened, but no sound came out.
On the phone, Mason said, "Are you still there?"
I bolted upright in the bed. "Oh, I’m here, alright. Are you seriously firing me?"
When he spoke again, his voice was very quiet. "No."
"Are you sure?" I said. "Because it sure sounds like it."
"Don't worry, I'm gonna pay you."
"For what?"
"The rest of your term – I'll pay you through the end. And if you want to find another job, you can get paid for that, too."
I gave a snort of derision. "So what is this? Some family tradition?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you're not the first Blastoviak to try to such a stunt. Trust me. I know."
"It's no stunt," he said. "It's a real offer."
"An offer?" I said. "Or a command?"
"No one's commanding you to do anything."
"Oh yeah?" I said. "So you'renotcommanding me to leave?"
"It's not like that."
"Isn't it?"
