Page 15 of Broken Obsession

Black Harts were members of the founding families. Prestigious. Wealthy.

Capricious.

Yeah, definitely a devil. Though a fallen angel was still an angel, and since this one had taken notice of them, it made sense that Yarrow would willingly join hands.

“He refused to let me buy him out, so I settled for close to fifty percent,” Ares stated, keeping his eyes on Eden despite Yarrow vying for his attention.

“So,” Eden reached for his glass of water, “I guess that makes you the new co-owner, really.”

“I’ll still maintain control of operations,” Yarrow said, though if he was insulted by the insinuation that someone else now owned his life’s work, he didn’t show it. “Mr. Major has agreed to leave me in charge. Isn’t that wonderful?”

It was suspicious.

“What do you get out of it, Mr. Major?”

“Ares,” he corrected, some of that light sparking back to life in his gaze the moment Eden rested his attention his way again. “Call me Ares.”

“You don’t seem to be short on coin, Ares.” Eden tilted his head when the younger man’s intensity grew at the sound of his name off his lips. This was weird, but was there a chance the attraction went both ways?

Eden wasn’t unattractive by any means. That was why Yarrow had asked him to model the character in the first place.

But maybe he was reading into it. That was likely.

A guy like his, a Black Hart, had to be surrounded by attractive people. Eden was probably unimpressive when compared to the company he must keep on the regular.

“Do you like playing games?” Ares asked.

“Eden doesn’t play games like Vanity,” Yarrow chimed in.

There it was again, a fissure. A crack in Ares’ composure. A glimpse beneath the angelic veneer.

He wasn’t sure what made him so certain, but Eden knew without a shadow of a doubt it was a mask. There was something deceptive about the man seated at the head of the table. Everyone knew the Black Harts were arrogant and not to be trifled with, but on this side of the planet, he’d never had the opportunity to meet one before.

Wasthis an opportunity? Or was it misfortune?

Vanity might not be his dream, but Eden relied on the game doing well. From the sounds of it, Ares didn’t intend to wrest control from Yarrow at the moment, but that could change.

He couldn’t afford to think with his dick right now, especially not when Yarrow was already doing enough mindless fawning for the both of them.

“Are you really a fan?” Eden held his gaze. “Or are you after something else?”

The smile delivered next was breathtaking. Criminal in and of itself. A resounding gasp carried throughout the table, making it clear Eden wasn’t the only one who thought so.

Yarrow’s hand on the man’s shoulder noticeably tightened.

“If you don’t play games like Vanity,” Ares lowered his voice, his tone cajoling and clearly meant for Eden alone, “what types of games do you like playing?”

“Horror RPGs,” he answered. “Specifically Psychological Horror RPGs. But I don’t get a lot of time to play them anymore.”

“Eden,” Yarrow laughed awkwardly, “you’re going to give him the impression I work you to the bone. I promise that isn’t the case, Ares. We treat all of our employees fairly and are above board. Especially the original crew that helped make Vanity a reality.”

“I’ve read your contracts,” Ares waved Yarrow off, then said to Eden, “I enjoy those types of games too. We should play together later.”

“Sure.” Eden didn’t like the way Yarrow was now frowning behind Ares, or how the rest of the table seemed to be staring at this exchange like they were some kind of show to be viewed. It wasn’t rational, but something told him he needed to get away from this before he did something foolish.

His coffee had arrived sometime during their discussion, but he’d hardly noticed and hadn’t touched it. Despite that, he pushed himself to his feet. “It was nice meeting you, Ares. Unfortunately, I’ve got to call it a night, but I hope you enjoy the rest of your dinner.”

“You’re leaving already?” Noon grabbed onto Eden’s wrist, but got no reaction.