How the White Trash Zombie Got Her Groove Back by Diana Rowland Read Free Book Online Page B

sir.”
    Pietro responded with a vague wave of dismissal. Brian gave him a respectful nod, shot a quick smile my way, then departed.
    Pietro wiped the frown from his face as he shifted his focus to me. “Angel, we didn’t have a chance to speak earlier,” he said. “Ari tells me you’re doing very well here at the lab. Is it something you want to continue with?”
    â€œYeah, totally!” I replied, doing my best not to grin like an idiot at the praise from Dr. Nikas.
    â€œGood. We’ll talk in a few days about making your position here more permanent, though in an arrangement that will fit in around your morgue work.”
    â€œThat would be awesome,” I said fervently, though I clearly heard the unspoken reminder that I was allowed to work at the lab only because Pietro allowed it. I worked for
him,
not Dr. Nikas, and he didn’t want me to forget that. “And, um, I’m going to be taking a couple of college classes next term. Is it okay to work my schedule around that too?”
    He raised his eyebrows. “That’s excellent, Angel. We’ll certainly discuss that as well.”
    â€œI really appreciate it,” I said in relief, meaning every word. Not only did I enjoy the hell out of the work, but I also had a fairly hefty loan from Pietro to pay off. When my dad and I lost everything in the flood after the spillway collapsed, we only recovered because I was able to borrow money from Pietro to buy a new place, along with cars, clothes, and all the other shit that comes in handy when dealing with Life.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Pietro said with a slight nod as if I’d said exactly what I was supposed to say. “I’ll call.” And with that he turned and headed out.
    I wandered back to the central hub of the lab to see if Dr. Nikas was ready for me, but found it unoccupied and quiet other than the soft ping of one of the workstations with an analysis in progress. This domed circular room formed the heart of the complex, with several corridors and doors going off in different directions, and thick sliding glass security doors that led toward the exit. Fancy equipment lined the walls, and a semi-circular island in the middle of the room held even more machines and computer workstations.
    Not more than half a minute later, Dr. Nikas stepped out of the hallway that led to his office, looking somewhat harried. I had a strong feeling he’d waited for Pietro to leave first.
    â€œEverything okay?” I asked.
    He blew out a breath. “Forgive me. He gets to me sometimes,” he said, then shook his head. “Nothing to worry about. My full focus is now on you and Philip and the parasite-balancing procedure I wish to attempt.”
    â€œIf this is a bad time to, er, balance my parasite we can always do it tomorrow,” I said.
    â€œIt isn’t a bad time.” He gave me a reassuring smile. “Philip will be here any minute, and he needs this,” he added. “I have a few things to get ready, but I won’t keep you two waiting long.”
    â€œIt’s cool.” I held up my phone. “I brought a book.” Well, an audiobook. My reading speed was somewhere between garden-slug-slow and oh-my-god-glaciers-are-faster, but thanks to the local library’s audio lending program I was gradually catching up on all sorts of books that were “should” reads, as well as a good number that were just plain fun.
    â€œExcellent,” Dr. Nikas murmured as he turned to leave, though I wasn’t sure he actually heard me. Already he had the familiar unfocused look in his eyes that told me he was sorting through a new research problem.
    I dropped into a chair at one of the computer workstations, stuck my earbuds in and settled down with the book—a purely fun one, and a few minutes later Philip Reinhardt entered through the glass doors. He had a smile on his face but also a heaviness in his step as