‘’Alex,’’ I call over to him, while at the same time not taking my eyes off Scarlett, gaging her reaction, ‘’go to Damien. Let him know I have given you the duty of arranging the storage room for our visitor’s weapons. He should be arranging the room next door for the meeting. Make sure the storeroom is ready and that everything is in place for their arrival.’’ From the corner of my eye, I see him if possible taller. He knows this is unusual, that I would not usually give so important over to him ‘’choose a couple of men that you trust. You will oversee them. Get them to help you with any weapons that are handed over and the scanning system. If you need any help, ask Damien,’’
He looked at me then Scarlett. I can see the hesitation in his eyes. He wanted to stay and if need be protect Scarlett. Even against me. The one person who could kill him with one flick of a finger. There was not any need, I had no intention of harming her. Of course, he didn’t know that. I knew he can’t believe his luck that I have given him another position. There are questions in his eyes. Hovering on his lips. Trying to gain the courage to ask. I wonder, what the questions he is longing to ask me are. I could see the questions running through his mind. Is she safe? Here, alone in this room. Will I hurt her?
‘’Alex. You have my word, she’ll be safe,’’ I tell him, hoping it reassures him enough to do as I instructed him and leave. Usually I’d just order him to leave, this time I’ve given him some leeway. This time I’ll take into account that he's grown some sort attachment to her, and if I’m right, it goes both ways. I’ll let it pass for now as long as he doesn’t think it’s going any further than a friendship. I wouldn’t be so generous next time. I knew I had given him the undertaking of keeping her safe as it were, but he was going above and beyond his duties. I still see the hesitation in his eyes even as he made the decision. He would not dare go against my orders, though he wanted to. As long as he understood who was in charge, I didn’t give a shit.
‘’Scarlett,’’ he called out to grab her attention, saying with a smile, ’I’ll see you later,’’ he reassures her, before looking back at me, leaving the room.
I watched as he left the room, turning my full attention to Scarlett. She had questions she wanted answered, I knew that, and I’d answer them as honestly as possible.
I knew the minute he left, the questions would start and not only on her part. I knew she was still hiding information, and I had every intention to find out what it was.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
SCARLETT
Same day
I'd come seeking him out, demanding answers.
I was getting more than I expected. I could see Lucien was fighting his demon. I didn't know why it didn't frighten me, as I expected it to. Deep down, I just knew that neither of them wanted to hurt me. I wondered if his demon had a name, I didn't know why, but I could tell when it was close to the surface. His dark eyes would flash red you would miss it if you weren't watching closely enough, I'm sure his skin moved as if changing its appearance. As if someone or thing was pushing up against his flesh. It was defiantly his demon. From the look upon Alex's face, I could tell he wasn't too sure about leaving me here in Lucien's care. He didn't have to worry; if need be, I would and could defend myself. Yes, I knew if he chose to, he could harm me, maybe even kill me, but I would put up one hell of a fight!
I listened to their conversation well, Lucien basically ordering him to seek out Damien and get some room really. He expected Alex to obey. Leave me here alone with Lucien. With a start, I realised Alex was talking to me.
"Scarlett, I'll see you later," he reassures her, a smile on his face before shooting a look at Lucien before leaving the room.
We sat there in silence. Just looking at each other how long for I don't know. It was as if time itself just seemed to stand still. I watched as Lucien poured himself a shot of whiskey, indicating if I wanted any. I shook my head; I wasn't a drinker, never had been, and that would get me as drunk as a skunk. He signed, then stood taking off his suit jacket, then laying it across the back of the chair he'd been sitting on before sitting back down and easing himself back into the chair, taking a sip of the drink he'd just pored himself. His muscles rippled under his shirt. I longed to run my hands over them and press my body into his. I wanted to feel those strong arms around me and to feel his breath on my body. I cough nervously, shaking away the lustful thoughts. He sat there staring at me with those dark predatory eyes as if I was his next meal, sending delicious shivers down my spine. He watches me silently his face void of any emotion. My heart hammers in my chest, where the hell had my Witch gone. It was as if she'd all but disappeared. I could tell she thought I should deal with him without her help. Shit! I needed to focus on the reason that I'm here and not allow myself to fall for this man who is sending me into flames of desire. I perch on the chair and listen to what he told me.
"……. I don't want any more disagreements. It's not getting us anywhere. We've got to work together and find out what's going on. You have questions," it wasn't an inquiry; it was more like a statement, "so do I," he told me, taking another sip.
He looked down at the glass in his hand, deep in thought, swirling the alcohol around the glass. "News has come in about the soul keeper. My men have been sent out to bring him in for questioning …." he stopped talking for a brief moment, looking back at me and gauging my reaction. I sat there; I didn't know how to react to this new information. Yes, I was happy, I mean come on at long last it seemed he was finally willing to join forces, but after what I'd witnessed last night. It led me to think that if it was going to be risky and put his men in danger. I scoffed to myself. Stop being stupid Scarlett it's a Soul Keeper, of course, they'd be in danger. If he managed to get their hands on even one Natural or Human, then they were buggered. It is near impossible to get their soul placed back inside their body. Fuck!!
"They will be in danger," I whispered my concern, biting into my bottom lip.
Signing, he agreed, "Yes, they will," he sat there, head to one side as if mentally observing me. This beast of a man has such power inside that it surrounds the air lingering around him. He is menacing, forbidding, hard, and so damn sexy, it makes my heartbeat faster, 'if it makes you feel any better they volunteered for the mission. They know what's at stake and the danger they will be in,"
"That doesn't make it any better," I replied, I knew he was trying for some reason to ease my concern, which I was grateful for, but it didn't help. I might not know any of those men, but I didn't want anyone to get injured or end up dead. Not on I or my family's account.
"I agree. They know what to expect and what they are walking into and not to put themselves in unnecessary danger." He reassured me. Placing his empty glass onto the desk in front of him. "How did you know what was happening last night?" he asked, changing the subject. He was giving me whiplash.
I think of what to say. I wasn't surprised to be asked the question again. What could I say? Absolutely Nothing! I mean, I woke up and made my way downstairs into chaos. He wanted an answer, I didn't blame him. I'd be asking the same question. I shook my head. "Something woke me up. What? I don't know. Something told me I had to go downstairs, so I followed my intuition and ran into …. Well chaos,"