Page 14 of Craving Carla

“The pleasure is all mine,” I say, though I’m already cataloging the wrongness in her scent. She smells like a radical—like hatred disguised as civility.

I pull out her chair like a gentleman, then take my seat at the head of the table. My lawyers flank me on either side, ready for battle. The obsidian surface reflects our faces, creating the illusion of a room filled with doppelgangers plotting against each other.

“I hope you don’t mind that I’ll be keeping this brief,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “I have business in Wintermoon that requires my immediate attention.”

The vampire across from Alexis slides a manila folder toward her. She opens it, scanning the contents with the practiced eye of someone used to legal documents. I notice how her fingers trace the edges of the papers, how she bites her lower lip in concentration.

The vampire—I don’t bother hiding my contempt when I look at him—clears his throat.

“Mr. Al-Baqar,” he begins, and I already dislike the sound of his voice. “We have some concerns about your operations in Michigan.”

Alexis slides the folder across the table. Vincent catches it before it reaches me, the warlock’s reflexes sharp as ever.

“Your data centers are affecting the local power grid,” Alexis continues. “And your pricing structure is... aggressive. We’ve received complaints that you’re monopolizing the market with artificially low prices. There’s no way you could be making a profit at these rates.”

I relax deeper into my chair, letting my fangs show in a predatory grin. My eyes lock onto the vampire across from me.

“Tell me,” I say, my voice dripping with false curiosity. “What year were you turned?”

He straightens, trying to project authority he doesn’t have. “Bagley of the Aura Coven. 1908.”

I laugh, low and sharp. “1908? Hell, you’re practically a newborn. And already a traitor.”

His face flushes with anger. “The only traitors here are those serving King Amir, keeping our people caged like animals in that sanctuary. We’re not meant to be slaves to humanity—we should be ruling them.”

I lean forward, my smile disappearing. “You know what King Amir says about meddling in human affairs. At your age, you should understand the consequences. You should be serving your own people, not selling them out for corporate profit.”

“I won’t help Amir keep our people in a cage,” Bagley snarls.

I don’t respond to that. While I agree with his assessment about the cage, betrayal is betrayal. And vampires who betray their creator deserve nothing but contempt.

Sarah opens her briefcase and slides a document across the table to Alexis. Her expression is cool, professional, lethal.

“Ms. Blackburn,” Sarah begins, “our client’s pricing structure is perfectly legal and follows all federal regulations. As for the power grid concerns, we’ve already addressed those issues.” She slides another document. “Here are the compliance reports, filed three weeks ago.”

Bagley picks up the document.

“Brookstone and Blackburn Enterprises always seem to be one step behind Medina Corp,” Vincent says with a smug smile. “While you’re busy hunting for violations, we’re already solving problems.”

I chuckle. “It seems your grievances have already been resolved. You simply weren’t aware of them.”

I stand, adjusting my suit jacket, and place my hands flat on the table. The obsidian surface is cool against my palms.

“I’ve got bigger issues with Brookstone and Blackburn Enterprises,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “Aside from the absolute betrayal I see sitting before me.”

The room falls silent. Even the city noise from beyond the windows seems muted.

“I know what you’ve been doing to shifters,” I continue. “To their children. To fated mates. King Amir doesn’t understand how to deal with corporations—they’re a new breed of enemy that formed while he slept. But I understand. And when I’m finished with my business in Wintermoon, I’ll be dealing with you.”

Alexis grins, revealing perfect white teeth. “I was hoping you’d say that.” She stands, her supernatural board members rising with her. “Let the games begin.”

She leans forward; her hands planted on the table. “You’re being naive and arrogant if you think you can take down our company. Many have tried. All have failed.”

I grin back, the expression sharp enough to cut glass. I nod to Sarah, who produces another file from her briefcase. The vampire slides it across the table.

Alexis’s eyes widen as she opens it. Her sharp intake of breath tells me everything I need to know.

“The one thing that keeps a corporation strong,” I say, circling the table like a predator, “is loyalty. The majority of my employees have been with me for generations. I provide humans with something corporations can’t seem to give anymore—security.”