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A n eternity passed as Luke wandered behind Gabe to a quiet but just as fancy part of the resort. Gabe was kind to the employees they passed, but not overly sociable. Luke worried it was his presence making the inspirit brusque. Did the inspirits working for the Marwoods resent the way their benefactors picked up strays? With so little experience outside of the bubble he’d inhabited with Foxe, Luke wasn’t sure how to feel or what to think.

And worrying that Gabe was annoyed he had to lead Luke around was far easier to dwell on than his fear of being caught as a liar or fraud. Luke shuffled behind Gabe through a set of double black doors into a large exquisite office. A dark-haired man in an equally dark suit rose from his chair and extended his hand to Luke.

“Lucas Wynnter, this is Clark Marwood,” Gabe said.

The tingle of a soulbond was back, and Luke wondered why Foxe hadn’t mentioned he could sense the combining of two people meant for each other. Mere minutes had passed since Luke had met Gabe and experienced the sensation, and it was already altering his thinking. Maybe soulmates were real. If they were, Luke hoped he had one somewhere. Did everyone get one?

Why the fuck was he worried about that when he had so many other things to deal with?

“Lucas, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Clark commented.

“Thanks so much for taking the time to meet me, Mr. Marwood,” Luke replied as he shook Clark’s hand. Although he’d never gone by Lucas, he didn’t bother correcting Marwood about his choice to use his full name.

“Please call me Clark, and it’s my pleasure. Have a seat,” Clark invited. “Gabriel and I would love to learn more about you.”

Luke swallowed and tried not to panic. Truth was easier than lies, so Luke stuck as close as he could to the actual story of his life. “I was resurrected ten years ago by a necromancer who’s a lone wolf. Things have been rocky. I don’t want to speak poorly of anyone, but he’s a gambling addict. He learned about the Marwoods from a necro he met the other night at the tables where he lost the last of our money. We decided it would be easier if we parted ways. He doesn’t think he has a problem, and I want some security.”

There was compassion in Clark’s blue gaze. “As a casino owner, I’m unfortunately familiar with people who struggle with a gambling disorder. Try to stay in contact with him if you can. When he’s ready to get some help, we’ll do whatever we can to aid his recovery journey.”

Surprised that he was being advised to keep in touch with Foxe, Luke nodded dumbly. “I’d like to talk to him if I can. I worry about him. He doesn’t have anybody.”

“Be a friend if he needs one. But in the meantime, let’s figure out what you want. How do you see your future?” Clark asked.

Luke flexed his fingers. He’d unconsciously been holding on to the straps of his duffel so tight his hands were cramping. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve been focused on surviving. All I’ve done are odd jobs.”

“I’m glad you’re here, Lucas,” Clark said. “It’s time for you to dream a little. Set some goals. Figure out what drives you. Gabriel will show you around the casino, then check you into the hotel. You’ll meet some department heads, and your first task will be to pick one of the offices to work in. Don’t worry if you don’t like it, you can transfer whenever you want. We’ll show you a few condo options or help you finance a house if you prefer. The important thing is that you find some happiness.”

“I don’t understand. I thought you’d give me a job and a roof over my head. But you’re going to let me make all these decisions. Why?” Luke asked, genuinely confused. It was far too good to be true, and he wondered if there was some catch no one had mentioned yet.

“Your necro gave you life, but to us, that’s the least a summoner can do,” Clark responded with a small smile. “The Marwoods believe inspirits are a gift. It’s our duty and pleasure to provide for you. I know you’re asking yourself what’s in it for us, but we believe the reward is in your friendship. In the family we gain by adding another inspirit to our lives.”

“You can trust the Marwoods,” Gabe stated firmly. “I was a stray once too. They scooped me right out of jail and put me in charge of security. I was the one who picked my training, and I decide my schedule.”

Clark grinned. “Gabriel is a true success story. We gave him every tool he needed for success, including the love of our youngest son. Gabriel took what we offered and far exceeded every expectation we had. We’re incredibly proud to call him family.”

Luke’s gaze slid to Gabe. He wasn’t sure why finding out Gabe was gay was a surprise. Belatedly, Luke wondered why it hadn’t occurred to him to be nervous about being homosexual in this new environment. He mentally shrugged. It was nice to know that would’ve been wasted energy.

“Your soulmate is Mr. Marwood’s son?” Luke asked dumbly.

“His youngest son, yes,” Gabe replied. “Clark and Rosalind have an older son who you’ll meet shortly since he runs conference services here. They also have an adopted daughter, but she is relocating to New York.”

“Remind me what time Maribeth’s plane leaves,” Clark requested, a pained expression on his handsome face.

“No, stop thinking about her leaving. Focus on the move she promises will make her happy,” Gabe stated. “Plus, you already know when the damn plane leaves.”

“Lucas, do you have any other questions I can answer for you before I task Gabriel with showing you around?” Clark asked. “Or should I let you two get started so I stop annoying Gabriel?”

“I can’t think of any other questions right now. Thanks again for this opportunity, Mr. Marwood. I promise to work hard and learn everything I need to so I can be a successful addition to your team.”

“You’ll do great, Lucas, don’t worry. And stop calling me Mr. Marwood. Now, both of you get out of my office or I’ll get scolded by my assistant because he has to rearrange things again today.”

Luke hopped to his feet and followed Gabe out of the office as he waved awkwardly at Clark.

“They’re working on getting you a new cellphone,” Gabe said as they walked to the elevators. “It’ll have Clark’s direct line programmed in it so you can contact him if you have questions or need something.”

“I hate to bother Mr. Marwood, is there someone else I can call if I need to?” Luke asked, though he promised himself he wasn’t calling a damn soul unless he was in dire straits.

“You’ll have my number too. I’m probably easier to contact than Clark anyway. His schedule is always packed. If you can’t get me, you’ll have Rhonda’s number too. Try her next.”

“Yeah, I can’t imagine owning all this,” Luke replied, gesturing to the fancy everything surrounding them.

“This is one of his many properties. We’ll start with human resources so they can give you a badge, keys, and everything else you need to get around today,” Gabe stated.

Luke nodded like he had any clue what was happening and wondered how many hours it would take him to find any semblance of calm again. He was also worried about Foxe. Would he be okay on his own?

???

Richard wasn’t in a good mood, but he refused to chastise himself about it. Maribeth was already at the airport. She was ready to tackle a new city and start her life over. While Richard understood her desire to get away from any memories of her father, he already missed her. But he’d keep those feelings to himself. Maribeth deserved happiness, and he hoped she would find it.

There was a rap on his open door, then Douglas walked in.

“Your frown is going to scare our clientele,” Douglas chastised gently.

Closing his eyes, Richard took a few seconds to breathe deeply as he focused consciously on relaxing his facial muscles. Richard could deal with his personal shit later at home. When he was at work, he was representing the Marwoods. Every guest deserved the best, and Richard would ensure they got it.

“Thanks for the reminder to calm down,” Richard said.

“I know today isn’t easy. Maybe you should’ve taken the day off. Helped Maribeth out or gone to the airport with her.”

“She expressly forbade me to go with her, and all I’d do at home is drive everyone crazy.”

Douglas’s mouth quirked. “You could attempt to be less of a control freak for one day.”

“Learning to fly would be an easier task. Is everything set for the dental conference?”

“Of course, we’ll meet with the planning committee in the morning to do a walkthrough,” Douglas responded.

“Good, this is their first time using a Marwood property, I’d like to ensure they use us again in the future.”

“No one can go wrong with a Marwood property.”

“It sounds better if you say it,” Richard teased. “If I made that comment, I’d sound horribly arrogant.”

“Are you insinuating that you’re not horribly arrogant?”

Despite his foul mood, Richard chuckled. “Maybe.”

The front door to conference services opened, and a man Richard recognized and trusted walked in. But Richard’s gaze swept past Gabriel’s broad shoulders to the dark-haired inspirit behind him. The man was a trifle shorter than Gabriel’s six-foot-two frame, and the bottom layer of his shaggy raven waves brushed the collar of his white shirt.

As they greeted people and moved closer to Richard’s office, an unexpected punch of lust hit him in the solar plexus. The stranger was gorgeous. His face was almost symmetrical except for a single dimple visible on his right cheek despite his lack of smile. The inspirit’s mouth was slightly full and wide. The bones of his jaw appeared chiseled out of stone, and his cheekbones swept up high toward his temples. Even his nose was stupidly perfect, and Richard hated that his exceptional face was attractive.

If experience had taught Richard anything, the man probably had a horrible personality and only cared for himself. That was too often true of those overly blessed by the beauty gods.

Richard hated that his palms were sweaty and his heartbeat was erratic. Why he was such a sucker for a handsome man? The inspirit must’ve sensed his stare. He turned to Richard, and his lips curved upward. His smile made him sexier. As he moved closer, Richard noted his eyes were crystal-clear gray without a hint of blue or green in their depths.

Like Douglas had done, Gabriel knocked on Richard’s door. A second later, he stepped through the entryway with the striking inspirit on his heels.

“Oh good, you two are both here,” Gabriel said. “Lucas Wynnter, meet the co-directors of conference services, Douglas Braund and Richard Marwood.”

Lucas held out his hand, and Richard had some wild instinct to avoid touching him, but he refused to make a fool of himself. Richard lifted his arm and hated the frisson of awareness that heated his blood when their skin brushed.

“A pleasure to meet you both,” Lucas said with a grin. “I’m really appreciative that your family is willing to help me.”

“My parents pick up strays,” Richard remarked. “No need to thank me, I had nothing to do with it.”

Everyone stared at Richard. His clipped tone didn’t help his rude words, and the humor fell from Lucas’s face. Although Richard was blunt, he wasn’t usually unkind without reason. Guilt crept through him. He was taking out his own issues on an inspirit who required help. If his parents were there, he’d have been chastised immediately.

“You’ll have to excuse Richard, he’s having a rough day,” Douglas commented with a wobbly smile. “Like his parents, he holds inspirits in the highest regard.”

Thankful that they were in his office so none of the human staff could hear them speaking about powers beyond their knowledge, Richard squared his shoulders.

“Douglas is right, and I apologize for my rudeness,” Richard said. “Inspirits are a gift and should be treated as such.”

“Plus, you’re in a room with three of them and we might turn on you,” Lucas teased.

Richard appreciated Lucas’s kindness in not making a big deal of his discourtesy, but it made him feel worse about taking out his own shit on an innocent man who happened to have the most stunning face he’d ever seen.

“I keep a crystal in my bedroom at home,” Richard revealed. “I’ll teleport home if someone throws a punch.”

Lucas smiled again, and Richard tried not to notice his long lashes or the twinkle in his gray eyes. “A permanent escape route. Very smart.”

“Is there anything we can do for you before Gabe finishes introducing you around?” Douglas asked.

“No,” Lucas said, glancing briefly at Douglas, then resting his gaze on Richard again. “Everyone has already done more than I could’ve asked for. I’m just trying to keep everyone’s names straight.”

“Ask Gabriel if you forget anyone,” Richard advised. “He doesn’t forget a face, and he knows what’s happening on every Marwood property.”

“I appreciate the advice, thanks again,” Lucas replied.

Gabriel led Lucas out, and Richard pretended not to notice that the inspirit glanced back into the office. Although it was foolish to stare at Lucas—even if the rear view was nearly as nice as the front—Richard continued to gape like an idiot until Douglas shut the door.

“He was interesting,” Douglas remarked, crossing his arms.

“Nice enough.”

“One of those handsome types and he knows it.”

Since Richard had already stuck his foot in his mouth thanks to his previous experiences of picking horrible sexual partners for himself, he allowed the subject of Lucas and his loveliness to pass. Depending on what office Lucas chose to work in, their paths may or may not cross often in the future, so there was no use debating the subject.

“Anyway, I was going to suggest we head downstairs. They should be setting up the tables and chairs in the main banquet hall for tonight’s gala. It’s the last event for our tech gurus. I want their conference to end as promisingly as it began.”

“I’ll grab my notes.”

Richard didn’t need notes. He’d memorized the setup weeks ago. Which gave him a few minutes to reflect on Lucas Wynnter. What was his story? Where had he come from? And why the hell did Richard care?