Chapter 18: Janette.

"Yes, Mr. Bravlov?"

"I said call me Ayden. Are we going to have to go through this every time we speak?"

I gulp down the nervousness I feel and try to wish away all the weary exhaustion in my bones. The man on the phone is someone I cannot afford to lose and for the sake of my sanity and my future, I don't think I want to lose him.

"I'm sorry for that, I'll get used to it."

He grunts and his voice comes out thick and contemplative.

"Call me Mr. Ayden then, at least for now. I expect you to grow out of it by next week though."

I sigh in relief and nod my head as I give a response.

"Thank you, Mr. Ayden. I'll get the hang of this soon."

I hear him grunt over the phone and soon we are plunged into silence. There's nothing I can think of to say and I can imagine that he has something he wants to say. That's why he called, isn't it?

"Did you find a place to camp out tonight then?"

I nod and hum at the same time, although taken aback by the fact that he cares about that. My eyes dart arou