Page 5

Shopping for my new wardrobe was even more fun than shopping with Wren had been.

This was for my body, and I was also using Hades's money which I loved.

When I checked my bank account balance on my phone (the app was already installed), it was enough to make me choke, then laugh hysterically.

And then I drove directly to the closest luxury mall and shopped my brand new brand-loving heart out.

Unfortunately, they didn't have all the brands I was hoping for, but I bought a laptop as well.

With it, I could do my shopping from home. An endless spree!

For the time being, I had enough to clothe myself in the manner I deserved. From lingerie to accessories, I was covered. Literally. After I stowed all my fancy shopping bags in the trunk of my Bentley, I left and found somewhere to celebrate.

I was sipping my third glass of champagne, sent to me by my third hopeful suitor, when I felt a shift in the Force.

I don't know what exactly made me take notice of the man who walked in.

I just did. My senses perked up and turned my head in his direction.

At first, I thought it was one of the hounds from the Cerberus team I was meant to mate.

I assumed I'd feel some kind of magical tingle when I met them.

But as soon as I saw this man, I knew he wasn't a hound.

Not to be insulting, but he was average.

Very average. Almost too average. Brown hair, brown eyes, slim build.

The kind of guy I would have ignored. So why didn't I?

Because he was familiar. There was something about him that gave me a sense of deja vu.

I knew him. Could this be a lover from a past life?

Most of the men I'd been with, weren't important to me.

There had been no great romances in any of my lives.

Nothing of the sort to defy death and bring us together again.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that I had met this man before.

Knowing better than to react, I lifted my glass to cover my face, sipped, and watched the man walk up to the bar.

Then things got stranger. The man's back stiffened, and he spun to face me.

Stared. And he didn't stare like all the other men in the terrace bar.

He stared as if he knew me. Like he knew me intimately.

I don't mean sexually. I mean me. Agnes. Or whoever I was when we had last met.

I narrowed my stare at him. As I said, there wasn't anyone in my past lives who I'd want to rekindle romance with. Whoever this guy was, he was either someone I used or someone who had used me. Badly. In short, this motherfucker could kiss my ass and move his ass right along.

He flinched and spun back to the bar.

“That's right, asshole. No second chances here,” I whispered.

“'Scuse me, darlin'.” A handsome man entered my line of sight, blocking the familiar stranger. “I know this is forward, but I can't let the chance to meet you slip away. I'm—”

“Sit down.” I waved at the seat next to me.

He grinned and sat down.

I resumed staring at the man at the bar.

No, I wasn't interested, but I was curious.

He looked wealthy. Elite. There was an air of power around him.

As average as he was physically, I was betting he was very much above average in life.

This was a man who was used to getting what he wanted.

It oozed from him—that entitlement. It made my upper lip curl.

I used to be a girl who found power attractive.

Not anymore. I mean, sure, I like a strong man.

But powerful men have done me wrong too many times not to sour my taste for them.

I didn't want one of those this time around.

I liked knowing that I'd end up with a Cerberus.

They were strong, but Hades held their reins.

And I would hold their reins too. When I got around to picking them up.

“I'm Charles.” The man beside me extended his hand.

“Yes, yes.” I tapped his hand. “Do you know who that man is, Charles?” I nodded at the guy at the bar. I was betting Mr. Average would be well-known. Probably some big deal in the higher social echelon.

But Charles frowned, his honey-walnut skin crinkling, and glared at the man I was staring at. “No, sugah. 'Fraid not. Why do you ask?”

“I feel like I know him. It's bugging me.”

“What accent is that? It sounds almost French, but not quite.”

“It's my accent.” I grinned at him, finally giving him a thorough look.

As established in my initial glance, Charles was handsome—tall, built, and well-dressed.

He even had good teeth. He was dark-skinned, but there was a lighter race mixed into his ancestry because his eyes were hazel, leaning toward green.

Is there anything better than a dark-skinned man with green eyes? Not at that moment.

Oh, yes. He'd do. He'd break in Salina real well.

I stood up, suddenly wanting to get away from the man at the bar as quickly as possible. I started to walk away and then noticed that I was alone. Looking over my shoulder at a frowning Charles, I said, “Well? Are you coming or not?”

Charles grinned and jumped to his feet.