Chapter 2
I stared at the empty chair across from my desk, a sense of betrayal gnawing at my insides.
The office was quiet, save for the faint hum of the fluorescent lights overhead, which felt far too cheerful for the storm brewing within me.
My executive assistant had vanished, taking with her millions of dollars that I had worked tirelessly to earn.
“Fucking bitch,” I growled.
I felt my beast stirring deep inside of me. He was just as pissed as I was that we’d been scammed by a fucking demon.
A mother fucking demon.
The blood in my veins reached a boiling point. My beast stormed toward the surface. It took all my resolve and then some to push him to the background.
“Easy. The last thing we need right now is to have to redecorate the office.”
He simmered down, heeding my warning.
I rubbed a hand over my face, feeling the weight of my anger settle on my shoulders.
“I should have known better than to trust that demon,” I muttered to myself.
She had charmed her way into my life, flaunting that irresistible smile and sharp wit, but it had all been a facade.
She’d been biding her time, squirreling away as much of my money as she could without me noticing.
Standing up, I paced the length of my spacious office, the floorboards creaking under my shitkickers.
Arrhythmia, Texas, was meant to be a last-chance place where not-so-good paranormals could live away from humans.
Sadly, it seemed to be a breeding ground for liars and thieves.
There were a few good ones here, but that was about it.
Most of the citizens of Arrhythmia couldn’t be trusted to piss on you if you were on fire.
I’d been foolish to think I could find someone hardworking and honest to help run my business in this godforsaken town. The more I thought about my predicament, the more pissed off I got.
“Damn it,” I snarled, slamming my fist against the desk. Papers scattered, and I cursed under my breath for the millionth time. I needed a new assistant—someone I could trust. Someone who wasn’t a denizen of Hell. Someone who had no ties to Arrhythmia—even if I had to break the rules to do it.
“Where the fuck am I supposed to find someone like that around here?”
With a huff, I opened up my laptop and decided to take matters into my own hands. I created a new employment ad and began typing, my fingers flying over the keys. An idea sprang into my head.
“I really shouldn’t do this.” My idea, and let me admit, is a bad one because it’s against the rules of Arrhythmia, and it may likely backfire and burn my ass.
But what the fuck was I supposed to do? Hire another thief?
To Hell with that. Sometimes it’s better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.
“Fuck it.” I needed someone I could trust. Someone outside of this hellhole.
Wanted: Executive Assistant. Must be honest and reliable, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment. Relocation expected. Great pay and benefits.
I hesitated for just a moment before clicking “post.” It was against the rules to hire from the human world, but I was done playing by the rules. After everything I’d been through, I needed someone who wouldn’t stab me in the back.
As I leaned back in my chair, the weight on my chest lightened just a bit. Sure, it was a gamble, but for the first time in weeks, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this time, I’d find someone who wouldn’t betray me—someone I could actually trust.
I watched as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the town. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was inviting more trouble into my life. Arrhythmia had a way of testing even the strongest of wills.