5. Australia does not seem like a pleasant place for a vampire. #3
“I have infiltrated where the woman works,” Darius confessed.
“Breckenan does not suspect I am a vampire; my ability to walk under the sun goes far beyond anything he can manage or understand of vampires. I show zero evidence of fatigue or discomfort, and there is no evidence of magic in use, which he can detect due to his necromantic heritage. He can only walk under the sun because of his limited necromantic abilities learned from his father. Should the woman attend the party, and word spreads it’s hosted by vampires, that should be enough to draw Breckenan into our trap.
I could ask her to accompany me, as we are friendly and I am currently not blessed with a bride.
My last one remained mortal at her wish, and those within our society who know me believe I am, perhaps, a bit overdue to wed again. ”
“What does she do at his business?” my father asked.
“She is a low-level secretary. She wants to be an attorney, but she cannot afford the degree,” Darius reported. “She’s a friendly enough woman, but she has the edge required to thrive as an attorney.”
I allowed myself a rather predatory grin. “Oh, Daddy…”
“You are a terrifying creature,” my father muttered. “I can’t go within sniffing range of any of his enterprises. Word would spread rapidly.”
“Hire her for me,” I ordered. “Offer her a degree of her choice and a quarter million dollars a year salary—with bonuses—and put her on a five year contract or until she finishes her legal degree, up to a doctorate. She’ll jump ship so fast she’ll give herself whiplash.
Darius can pretend he got the same offer and was asked to pick a secretary.
Darius, what is your role at this business? ”
“I work in the firm’s marketing department. I handle some sales and some analysis.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Ew, marketers.”
He laughed at my jab. “You must give her ploy credit, Charlie. It will work. She’s being paid a living wage, but that is all I can say for her income.
Just hire her to be the secretary for one of your lead attorneys, sign her contract over to the Lowrance brood, and let them foot the bill after the five years are up. ”
“You two hate money,” my father complained.
“It’s a small price to pay for eliminating Breckenan and keeping her from being killed or turned against her will,” I countered.
“I’m going to need an assistant or secretary eventually, especially if I want to be able to maintain my legal license.
If she becomes an attorney, I’ll be more efficient.
A quarter of a million is a small price to pay for good help at the upper levels.
And Emerick? If Ben isn’t paid even remotely near a quarter of a million a year, you will increase his salary immediately. ”
“I’m paid sufficiently, Pepper,” Ben assured me.
“However, you’re right. A quarter million is an excellent starting wage for that position, and if we can secure the woman with us sooner than later, we can make Breckenan start dancing to our tune instead of us dancing to his.
With his tendencies? He’ll do a great deal worse than kill her.
He does not seem like the kind capable of showing actual love. ”
No, he didn’t. I frowned. “Darius, does this woman know Breckenan personally?”
“No. He’s obsessed, and she has only caught a glimpse of him a few times at corporate meetings. We’re too low on the totem pole to get close to him. I can tell you the why for his obsession, however. She reminds him of his mother.”
The tragedy of it all tugged at my heart, and I allowed myself a pained sigh. “How unfortunate. He’s truly insane, then?”
“He is. And he’s intelligent enough to be a true problem. Right now, he would burn the entire world down to have her as his prize—and he is the type to destroy everyone and everything in his path if she asked it of him. His obsession goes that far.”
Color me unsurprised. “And her?”
“She appears demure in many ways, but she has a spine of steel and ice. Her inability to progress festers within her, but she does her best despite her bitterness. Given opportunity, she’ll bloom. In the wrong environment, she would make a dangerous vampire.”
“Does she like Breckenan?”
“No. She is paid poorly for what she contributes to his company, and this has contributed heavily to her bitterness. She could become a steady ally.” Darius frowned. “Should she be successfully turned, she is a striking woman, and vampires would feud for the right to have her.”
“She’ll be part of the Lowrance brood should she decide she wishes to be turned, and she will not be had by any vampire,” I replied in a cool tone. “The decision to wed and bed a vampire will be fully in her control, and the men wishing for a chance can lick her feet and beg.”
Emerick snickered. “We have already secured an agreement from the brides broods for this to be the case. Any woman who joins our fold or has association with us will remain part of our brood and go to the brides for training and only for training. If courtship is on any vampire’s agenda, once she is hired by us, they’ll have to go through Pepper—and only if this woman makes it clear she is interested.
That reminds me, Pepper. I need you to write up a contract that closes the loopholes regarding women in matrimony so we have no more forced instances like the nasty business we dealt with when we signed our paperwork. ”
“I’ll start it after our guests leave,” I promised. “I want to prioritize this woman, however. When can you reach out to her with the job offer, Darius?”
“I’m due at work at nine, and I usually see her no later than ten. I could lure her away by noon with no problems. I am not currently being watched by any of Breckenan’s vampires; they are incapable of sensing my presence. They’re too young.”
“Who are these vampires?” my father asked.
“They are his right-hand men of his companies. All upper management. He turned them some six months ago once he learned how much blood he needed to provide from his other experiments. They are all disreputable, and their newfound powers have not improved them any.” Darius huffed, shook his head, and flexed his hands.
“I will enjoy assisting with their final rest.”
“Do you have any interest in pursuing this woman?”
Darius shrugged. “I would not be against such a partnership. I would prefer if she has more experience and age, but I am also not against a long courtship. I would not turn her for another ten years at a minimum. She needs to live more first—but she has experienced much of the cruelties life has to offer, so I would prefer if her next ten years of life are on the other side of the fence.”
“You’ll have to come to movie nights,” I warned. “She will surely be exposed to many handsome single vampires seeking forever who are all willing to indulge in romantic comedies. You will not win against that level of romantic prowess.”
Emerick attempted to contain his laughter, which burst out of him in a snort. “Is there something you’re trying to tell me, Pepper?”
“Yes. We’re due to have movie night soon, and we need to do a movie sandwich. We’ll watch a romantic comedy first, then we’ll watch an action flick, and we’ll finish off with another romantic comedy.”
“After Breckenan is dead and gone, we’ll do your movie night sandwich,” my husband promised.
“Until then, we will not be watching any movies. Until he falls, we will be dedicated and focused hunters. Make a list of other prizes you would like once we have finished our work, just understand our wedding ceremony is one of our prizes.”
Well, that was going to make my life difficult. “Father, I’m going to need more lessons on staying up past my bedtime. I am not a morning person.”
“Of course. I can help with your training, as can your brothers.”
My mother armed herself with a rather vicious grin. “Emerick, I recommend abstinence until this problem is dealt with. If that doesn’t motivate her, I don’t know what will.”
I gasped at her ruthlessness. “Mother!”
“Don’t worry, Pepper. Clarke is going to enjoy the same abstinence until all that remains of this filth is a fading memory. This ends, and this ends now.”