Page 19

NINETEEN

Micha

The ways in which I kept fucking up were innumerable and my resentment toward Josiah was growing extensively. Sure, he was handling some details of the business, but the majority of it was falling on me while he was off vacationing with his wife and leaving me in a lurch.

It wasn’t fun and games, doing most of the work yourself, when it came to a high multi-million-dollar company.

I’d started delegating more assignments to those below me. After some trial and error, I’d discovered a few who could handle the work. After some mental debate, I decided not to notify my best friend as I didn’t want to see any more of the fucking question mark emojis. It went without saying Della was having some effect on him. He never would’ve resorted to cartoons before her.

After seeing Ashley laid bare before another man, I was wrecked. And feeling spiteful. There was no way I could stay away from the woman anymore. I wasn’t going to stand back and let some other monster take her from me.

Josiah had said we couldn’t look at her anymore, couldn’t acknowledge her. Thankfully, there were ways around that. If he caught me, so be it. He endangered all of us when he pursued his woman, and I’d put my life on the line for him more than once.

It didn’t matter what he was doing up in Canada with Alastair’s clan, what type of negotiations they were doing. Fuck them all.

Despite Ashley’s untrustworthy ways, I was going to have her. I’d make her pay for as long as it took, until I got this anger out, but the end result would be the same.

I’d never let her go.

The first thing I had to do was go home.

* * *

As expected, my penthouse was pristine. The wraiths I’d hired kept the place immaculate. The creatures could be tricky, get into mischief, or just not show up. These particular ones were specially selected due to their continued loyalty after helping Josiah out in the past. Several had followed him home and set about guarding the property he owned further upstate. Conveniently, I’d received the same bonus of the lowest level of demonic beings providing security and assistance.

“You may leave for now if you wish,” I spoke to a wraith melting into the shadows in the corner of the living room. For some reason, this particular one, named Nilam, was overly shy. The creature disappeared and I crossed the room to enter my private office.

Thanks to Kiam’s past encouragement, I had slowly amassed a sizable library of esoteric and magical books. For my plan to work, I’d need to do some research, and the tomes were necessary for what I had in mind.

After settling in my armchair with a drink and a pile of books, I began to search for what I needed. There were some things I could do without the assistance of my natural magic, but what I had in mind would need a heavier hand if it was going to work.

Josiah had said we weren’t to even look at Ashley, she was dead to us. So, what if I weren’t me? What if I looked and sounded completely different because I borrowed another form?

Everything would have to be different—even my scent.

Obviously, deep down inside it would be me, but no one would know. More importantly, others of my kind would remain ignorant. They would sense the spell work, but they would not be able to determine its master.

Somehow, I would have to operate under these conditions until I could manage to get Josiah seeing things my way. The thought of Ashley entertaining other men was too painful to bear so I was taking matters into my own hands.

She may have forgotten all about me but there was no way I’d ever forget about her. She’d quickly learn from her mistake. She may have gone on like nothing ever happened, like she hadn’t stolen from me and ruined everything. As if I no longer mattered; as if she could ever escape.

She would soon remember.

* * *

Matthew tapped the edge of the tablet he held in his hand with his nail. He was rereading the email I’d sent him or at least attempting to appear he was. I could see him thinking. He was considering my very generous terms and trying to pretend to be a better man at heart. The amount of money I was offering him was too much for him to turn down.

He set the device down and tapped the edge of a pile of papers. “Under normal circumstances we have allowed our employees the pleasure of meeting with a potential patron and the two of them come to a mutually beneficial agreement. You are asking me to forego the regular process.”

“That is correct.”

He leaned forward, resting his arms on his desk and clasping his hands together. “I’m afraid I’m going to need some more information. Ashley is a relatively new employee, and we want her to have the best experience possible.”

“What is it you would like to know?”

“Here’s the problem,” Matthew cleared his throat. “I understand you have your reasons for surrounding yourself with magic but the fact you are is not instilling confidence in your motivations. You’re hiding something.”

“I am a private man, Matthew. I do feel that I’ve demonstrated I am serious, as evidenced by the amount I am offering. I would not offer this much for something I did not care about.”

He waved his hand at me. “I’m not suggesting you don’t care.” He picked up the tablet again. “Why don’t we do this—I’ll accept half now, for a term of one month. If the partnership with Ashley is beneficial to the both of you, we can look at permanency.”

If I wanted to do this without attracting unnecessary attention or a deeper look, I’d have to accept his proposal. “I’ll accept your terms.”

Matthew stood up and held out his hand. I didn’t take it. “One more thing,” I told him, passing him a file folder. “Guidance for Ashley.”

He took the papers from me and paged through, wrinkling his brow. Wisely, he didn’t offer any opinion on the contents. “This is unusual. I will have to insist that your first meeting be here.”

The man was nothing if not protective. I had to give him that even if I didn’t appreciate him slowing me down. “I trust you’ll facilitate the needed privacy?” I asked.

He nodded. “Yes, I can do that. We have a room farther down the hall that lends itself a higher degree of seclusion. There’s a bar and private rooms surrounding a communal center. Our security will be watching and will not interfere unless Ashley requests them to.”

Simply put, I would be expected to be on my best behavior. That would not be a problem. Once I had them convinced, she’d be all mine. Mine to hurt, mine to torture, mine to love, and mine to bleed by my side.

“I will have to verify the information you’ve given me about your properties and finances; I’m sure you understand,” he stated. It was obvious he didn’t care whether I understood or not, but he’d only see what I wanted him to see. He would believe he controlled the situation.

If it came down to it, I would just take her—Josiah and Matthew be damned.

“Of course,” I said. “I would expect nothing less.”

Matthew rustled through the papers. “We’ll acquire these items and begin preparing her right away. You’re asking for tomorrow night? You’re not giving us much time.” He shook his head. “Excellence takes some prep work.”

I gave him a pointed glance.

He let out a deep sigh. “We will do our best to have the woman ready for you.”

“Thank you,” I said, leaving the room.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I wandered the establishment searching for her. It wasn’t smart of me. If I found her in a compromising position, I’d have to let it go or I risked my tenuous, burgeoning agreement with Matthew.

Perusing the dancers behind the hallway’s panels didn’t reveal her and then I found myself back in the large room where she’d been entertaining the fucking demon the other day.

My steps took me straight to the wall and I checked every single monitor for her. She was nowhere to be found. Next, I wandered by the booths, but each one was devoid of any guests.

A lone bartender eyed me from across the room, polishing glasses and mugs with a pristine, white towel. I nodded to him and left, not wanting to draw any more attention.

Back to the main room, I went, pausing to watch an angel fuck a human girl doggie style on the stage. The establishment was an absolute feast for a man like me; waves of delectable lust wafting through the air.

A table full of demons was close to the show and they too, fed, as evidenced by the slight parting of their lips, the shuttering eyes. Matthew was an absolute genius, creating a place like this. Really, it was a gift to our community.

When I turned around and faced the other tables and booths, I skimmed the faces of everyone in attendance. An impressive assortment of monied vampires and demons, with a few angels scattered about made up the elite crowd. Fragrances of heady wines and whiskeys, expensive colognes and perfumes, drifted around me mingling with a dark rainbow of auras. There was only one, unique scent I sought. One scarred and yet perfect aura.

Slowly, I wound my way through the tables, searching out of the corner of my eye. Finally, I found my mark and my heart came to a shuddering stop. Ashley was there, off in a corner, entertaining another vampire. Gritting my teeth, I crossed the floor to a nearby booth, forcing myself not to rip her from the leather seat.

After I settled in, having seated myself, do I could watch her out of the corner of my eye, I ordered a glass of pure blood from an attentive waitress. The mood I was in, I didn’t need the alcohol clouding my senses.

“Would you like any extra services?” She asked, leaning forward to showcase her plump chest.

“No thank you, just the beverage,” I answered. The glamour I used was inspired by a popular male model, so it was no wonder all female eyes were on me. Vain creature that I was, there was no way I’d allow my appearance to be ordinary, or a turn off.

I shut out the sounds around me to focus on Ashley’s voice. She seemed to be enjoying herself.

“I’m just saying that I prefer summer over winter; I’d much rather be warm,” she told her companion.

“I can keep you warm. Would you like that?” The vampire asked.

The stem of my glass broke in my hand, cutting the skin of my palm. The contents of my glass spilled across the surface of the table, and I lifted the linen napkin and wrapped my hand. I could’ve healed myself but being in disguise, I didn’t want to advertise my species or station. Not every vampire or demon could heal themselves, only the highest classes of creatures were gifted the ability.

Ashley giggled like a little girl, the sound very much unlike her. She was putting on a show for her patron. “Oh, that’s okay. But thank you, you’re too kind to offer. Would you like me to fetch you another drink?”

“Thank you, gorgeous girl. That would be great.”

The sound of her skirt dragging against the bench had me waiting for her to pass my table.

“I’ll be right back. Would you enjoy anything else, sir?” She stopped at the edge of the table.

He shook his head, a pleasant smile crossing his face. “No, dear.”

Ashley was mere feet away. I could’ve grabbed her before she blinked. Suddenly, her step paused, and she looked over her shoulder. Her eyes met mine and I held my breath.

She missed a step, distracted, and grabbed the edge of the closest chair to catch herself before her face colored over her clumsiness.

The vampire was by her side in an instant, arm around her waist as she twisted for another glance at me. “Are you all right, sweetheart? I can fetch my own beverage,” he offered.

I couldn’t take it anymore. He had his hands where mine should have been. He was assisting where I should have been of help. Standing up, I flung the napkin on the tablecloth and stepped out.

As I went to leave, I felt Ashley’s eyes tracking my every step. Of course she’d found me attractive; that was the whole idea. But I didn’t have to like it.