Page 14 of The Night Firm

When the movers leave, I take out my checkbook and march down to Roger's office. He grins when he sees me. "I see you've come to your senses and are ready to discuss my terms," he says, his smile a lascivious sneer.

He licks his lips and I shudder. I clench my fist around my checkbook, then smile. "Why, that's so sweet, but you see I've come to pay off what I owe."

His face pales. "Well, that's great news, but surely you don't need to spend all that money when there are other ways to satisfy the debt."

I slap the check onto his desk. "Here is my payment in full, plus interest."

He looks at it and the sides of his lips curl up. "It seems you're several thousand dollars short."

"About that," I say, shoving a letter into his hands featuring The Night Firm letterhead. "It seems it wasn't contractually legal for you to hike the interest after we'd signed an agreement. I've paid what was originally agreed upon. Nothing more. It's also not legal to extort sexual favors as payment for a debt, you miserable sleaze-ball. If you have any questions, you can contact my lawyer."

I let myself gloat as I walk out of his office, leaving him gaping.

I owe Derek a big thanks for that one.

* * *

Tomorrow my new life begins.Today, I'm going to pamper myself and use my new expense card to make sure I have the right wardrobe for this job.

I want to enjoy the shopping, the makeover—god I've needed a new haircut for ages—the pampering. But my mind keeps turning back to Sebastian and his brothers. They mesmerize me even as they confound me. And I still don't really know what this bloody job is. My life feels entirely too surreal.

Back in my hotel for the night, I push myself to stay awake until morning. It's time to get used to my new sleep schedule.

I spend the night sketching Sebastian in different poses. Tired of my obsession, I move on to other subjects. First, I sketch Matilda leaning over that strange table with the fire. Then I sketch the scene that dances in my mind like a dream, of eyes glowing silver in a face of midnight, that delicate horn in the center of her forehead.

I manage three hours of sleep before waking in the afternoon. I realize I'm ready to go. This is too much waiting. I pass the time exercising in the hotel gym, taking a bath, eating, watching movies. Finally, it's time. I check out with all my belongings and wait in front of the hotel for the driver Derek promised. It's been awhile since I've owned a car, and I've never had a driver. This is quite a change of status for me.

A limo pulls up at precisely seven p.m. and a perky young woman bounces out and smiles widely at me. "I'm Lily. I'll be your driver from now on."

Lily has pink punk rock hair, multiple facial piercings, and wears a driver uniform that's bright neon colors mixed with tie dye. It's quite the combination and it stands out starkly against her ebony skin. I'm instantly drawn to her sparkly personality.

"I get a driver all the time?" I ask.

She laughs. "Of course, silly. You're part of the family now."

I don't know what she means by that, but she opens the door for me to get in, and then proceeds to pack my luggage into the trunk.

Once we're both settled, she asks if I want the middle window up or down. "It's sound proof. You'll have complete privacy."

"No, I like talking to you," I say, as I study the limo. I've been in one before, but this is especially nice. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know," she says sheepishly.

"You don't know where we're going? Then how will we get there?"

"The GPS is programmed with the current address," she says.

"Current address? They have several homes?"

"No, well, yes, but that's not what I meant. The home changes locations as needed for security or work."

A shock of horror fills me. "Am I going to be living in a mobile home?" I ask.

She laughs. "No way. Wait till you see it. It's not that kind of mobile. It's…really hard to explain. You'll have to wait to get there and see for yourself. It's going to blow your mind." She snaps her mouth shut. "But I'm not supposed to say too much. They want to tell you everything themselves."

"Everything like what?" I ask, hoping I can get more out of her.

"I'm sorry, I can't!" She squeezes her lips together and shakes her head.