Chapter Sixteen
Emily
Steven Banks, a fifty-something thrice divorced narcissist, and Tyson Thomas, who the staff loved to tease as the man with two first names and couldn’t remember a single name of the people he actually should, like his many hookups, stood to greet me.
It wasn’t normal for either of them. They never deigned a reason to stand for someone they saw as beneath them, but both had.
“Emily! It’s so good to see you.” Steven gestured to the chair in front of his desk, professional smile slated into place and Armani suit without wrinkle or imperfection.
Doubt that.
I took my seat anyway. I’d wait out the niceties and see first what I was dealing with.
I refused to finish any work I left behind in the wake of my resignation.
It wouldn’t matter if I did it or not. They’d toss it off to some overwhelmed junior associate to finish regardless, and I really hoped it wasn’t Brandy. She’d been through enough.
“Coffee, tea—”
“What’s this about?” I interjected, already over the grandstanding attempts to make me feel comfortable.
“I tendered my resignation and never asked for recommendations because it’s my intention to leave this field of work.
So whatever you might try, it won’t work.
You won’t keep me from employment anywhere else. ”
Both men quieted, having not expected me to go for the jugular right out of the gate. But they would’ve if they paid even the slightest bit of attention to me in a courtroom.
Steven glanced at Tyson before speaking again, “That wasn’t our intention at all, Emily. If anything, you’re right to have left. You deserved better from this firm.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, detecting the lies he was weaving. The ones who became partners always got cozy in their finances and power, so they lost touch with their inner shark. Or rather, their ability to conceal their flat-out lies.
“Uh-huh,” was all I said.
“And we think it’s about time that changes. We have a proposition for you. A substantial promotion package as a non-equity partner.”
I wasn’t buying it. Why now? I doubt my absence would have that much impact. I smelled a rat. They moved too fast on offering a promotion they hadn’t even tossed Darcy’s way.
“In exchange for what?” I pried.
“That you also work exclusively with our VIP client along with your responsibilities as a partner,” was the blow they came out with.
I laughed and crossed my arms. “No.”
A voice was suddenly coming through the receiver on the desk. One I hadn’t been aware was on. “Review the terms before you give your answer, Emily. And if even then you’re not open to it, I’d love a chance to meet with you myself to see what arrangement we can come to.”
The only word that came to mind for his voice was sinful. Absolute sex to the ears. It made me forget myself for a second.
“What terms?”
As if he’d been waiting for it, Tyson slid a packet over to me, his dark hair swept back from equally dark eyes.
Had he not been an absolute douche, I might’ve found him pretty. But that ship had long sailed after he spent the first year of me working at this firm calling me Evelyn or sweetheart and staring at my ass or boobs whenever he thought I wasn’t looking.
I peeked at the packet, unable to hold back my curiosity. I lifted the top page, and it sliced into my finger. I hissed and sucked on the cut. I wouldn’t miss the endless papercuts in this line of work. But I was distracted by what was on the page rather than what it’d done to my finger.
On top of it was a number not fit for a firm of this size. That many zeroes might not even be common for the Big Four. I’d seen plenty of red flags in my life, but that was the most blatant.
I stared at it. “This has to be a joke.”
“I assure you it isn’t,” the voice said from the phone on the desk. “Let me take you to dinner, and we can discuss it in greater detail.”
After regaining my wits, I shook my head. “My answer is still no. Not interested.”
I could’ve sworn I heard Zelus’s laugh, but after looking around the room, I didn’t find him anywhere.
“Leave,” was all the voice commanded, and I’d never seen Steven or Tyson move as fast as they did to that one demand.
Who was this guy?
The door snicked behind me, then it was just me and phone dude. I sighed, preparing myself for a rich-bro’s speech on how important and extremely well off he was, how he’d find my price, how everyone had one.
It wasn’t new. I’d seen it with my father and his gross friends. Always talking money. Always convinced they ran the world. Always treating women like they’d take whatever they could for the promise of luxury.
Fucking douches.
“Emily,” the voice started.
I couldn’t help how my spine straightened the second I heard the husky baritone coming through the speaker. Even garbled by the connection, it was delectable. I could only imagine how it sounded in person.
“Aren’t you even a little bit curious about what brought demons to your doorstep? Don’t you want to know who that man parading as your protector really is?”
My eyes widened, having not expected that. “Excuse me?”
“If you’re curious—”
A snarl echoed out of nowhere, and my head whipped around to see what caused it.
Zelus was already next to me, glaring down at the phone as if he could kill the guy on the other side with a mere look. “Who are you?”
“Ah,” the voice said as if Zelus’s growling didn’t bother him. “Hello, Zelus.”
Shock struck me, and I cut a sharp look up at him. “Do you know this dude?”
“I know Zelus, but I seriously doubt he knows me,” the voice answered before the beast next to me could.
“Name yourself, demon,” Zelus demanded.
“I don’t think I will. Emily, I’ll be in touch soon.” Then without another word, the call dropped out.
I stared at the phone for another beat before getting to my feet. “How did you know he’s a demon? What are you not telling me, Zelus?”
Finally, he looked at me. His skin swelled with scales and his eyes beamed an eerie glow. I shifted back a step with how much rage passed through his face, but that small movement seemed to snap him out of it.
He walked closer, his large hands taking hold of my face.
Something in his expression made it impossible to slap them away.
He didn’t wait. His mouth was on mine for a hot few seconds where I forgot where I was and what I’d been angry about.
I might’ve let him fuck me right on the desk if he’d tried, but it was him who pulled away first.
“Let’s get you back to your flat.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but he interrupted.
“Then I’ll tell you what you need to know.”
As if it was his home and not mine, Zelus made two cups of coffee with his shirt off and pants hanging low on his hips.
This man—beast—was a tall drink of water, and I’d never get tired of looking at him. It turned me into a woman I never wanted to be, but the more I was around him, the more I wondered if that side of myself might be worth exploring.
I had my legs crossed on the cushion after switching to a comfy pair of shorts and black tank top.
I’d tossed my hair into a messy bun and watched him move around my kitchen like he’d spent the last month living here.
It was weird how much he fit into my life in almost no time at all.
No guy had felt right inside my house, but somehow, Zelus did.
It didn’t bother me that he’d helped himself to what was in my fridge or cabinets. It didn’t bother me that he knew exactly where to find our cups and coffee. It didn’t even bother me that he insisted I sit and wait for him. Not even after how angry I’d been coming home.
I stared at the gorgeous jerk as he wandered over and offered me a steamy cup. Taking it, I prepared myself for more evasive tactics, but the eyes that landed on me were the most serious yet. I was going to get answers, and I wasn’t sure if I’d like them.
“I still don’t know who’s put the mark on you. My contact is looking into it, but I suspect the demon after you is powerful. Enough that he can’t cross over to the mortal world without starting a war,” he told me.
I stared at him, a bit dry in the mouth. “Is that why he’s sending others in his place?”
“Yes.”
“And that client…”
“Was him. Demons have influence in the mortal world, even without crossing over.”
I hummed. “That makes sense. So, you think the meeting he wanted was a trap?”
It was weird to see Zelus vacant of his usual flirtatious demeanor, but he hadn’t smiled once since he appeared in Steven’s office. “His demons can’t get to you with me by your side. He’s getting desperate, love. The tactics he’ll use will get bolder.” His eyes glinted. “And slyer.”
I nodded. “And who are you in all of this?”
For the first time, he hesitated. Running a hand through his hair and putting his cup aside, he let loose a breath. “Someone who has a vested interest in your safety, pet.”
Another non-answer, but one that was at least true. I could tell he really believed it.
I hummed and took a sip of my coffee. It was made to absolute perfection, and I was close to moaning my appreciation since Asha always somehow burned it. A special skill I taunted her about any chance I got. But I reigned in my momentary pleasure.
“They keep mentioning a Horseman. I need you to tell me if I’m caught up in something that’s captured the interest of a Horseman, and more importantly, if it’s like they say—is this about the end of the world?”
His eyes widened a fraction, and it confirmed I was on the right track. Not exactly comforting, but at least I hadn’t lost my touch. After the initial shock, his expression hardened.
“Thought so. The end of the world feels like a punch to the gut, if I’m being honest. But I guess it makes sense the minute I decide to become a whole new person, the apocalypse happens. So, what are you in all of this? What are you here for?”
He didn’t hesitate. “I’m here for you.”
“Because I’m someone you need to protect?” I ventured.
Another hesitation. “Yes.”