by Brux, Boone
“Beat it,” Max said. “She’s with me.”
“She’s with me,” Fabio countered, sliding his arm around her shoulder.
The pulse of the music had moved from Faye’s chest to her head. She rubbed her temples. Why had she agreed to come? The potent mixture of the two men’s cologne cloyed at her throat.
“I need a drink.” She gripped her glass and shoved against Fabio, pushing him along the bench. Either he’d move or land on the floor. She didn’t care. He jumped to his feet and reached for her. She dodged his attempt and added a quick spin to avoid Edwardo’s open arms. “Please.” With one hand held up in defense, she backed away. “Don’t follow me.”
Everybody stared at her as if she was a skittish cat they were trying to lure to the table. The distance between her and the crazies grew until the crowd finally swallowed her. She turned and wove her way toward the bar. Inserting a shoulder, she elbowed her way through the crush until she reached the neon glass counter.
Despite the swarming mob of towering beauties, the bartender singled her out. His black hair glistened from the tube of lights running around the bar, and the black superhero mask he wore accentuated his ice blue eyes. He looked at her as if she was the only person in the bar. “What can I get you?”
She held up her empty glass. “Gin and tonic, please.”
“You bet.”
He flipped the bottle of gin in the air, catching it right side up. Faye smiled. Obviously taking that as encouragement, the bartender executed several more complicated moves that involved a lot of cape flapping and bottle catching behind his back. Coos of amazement eddied around her. Faye tapped a finger against the glass top. All she wanted was a drink, not a circus act. Next he grabbed the sprayer nozzle and slowly extended it to its full length. He turned, stepped over the hose so his back faced her, and began gyrating. Whoops and catcalls erupted, calling for more.
Holding her gaze over his shoulder, he slid back and forth on the hose. He picked up her glass and positioned it directly under the spray nozzle, which just happened to be wedged in his crotch, and pressed the trigger. The lengths to which people went to get a good tip were appalling.
The crowd around her went wild, but all she could do was stare at the pseudo-sexual display. After extricating himself from the hose, he picked up a piece of lime and squeezed it into her glass. For good measure he inserted each juice-coated finger into his mouth one at a time, and licked.
“Oh Mother of God.” She reached across the counter and snatched the glass from his hand. “Give me my damn drink.”
Gin and tonic splashed the counter. Before she could reach for a napkin, the bartender bent and licked, running his tongue along the glass.
She stood, frozen by the exhibition. “Kill me now.”
“It takes some getting used to, eh?” said a voice from behind her.
Faye swung around and came face to face with Vern. She gasped and stumbled back a step. “What are you doing here?”
“Making a courtesy call.” His white teeth glowed under the black light, making his smile a hundred times more unsettling. He took a sip from his drink, staring at her over the rim. “Now that’s real refreshing.”
“What do you want?” She tried to take another step back, but her feet seemed glued in place.
“It’s my job to make sure you’re settling in and understand the—” He nodded toward the bartender, who had resumed a normal level of tending. “—the benefits.”
“Listen…Vern, isn’t it?”
“Ah, you remember.”
Kind of hard to forget somebody who made her skin crawl. People crowded the bar, but a bubble seemed to surround the two of them.
“Sorry to inform you, but I’m not interested in men falling at my feet.” Even though the experience had been rather enjoyable, staring into the face of evil clarified exactly what was at stake. She’d rather end up as that cardigan-clad corpse than give up her soul for a lifetime of false adoration.
“No?” His brow furrowed in what looked like genuine consternation. “You prefer to remain invisible, rather than loved?”
“It’s not love.” Her foot moved and she took a step away from Vern. Like being released from a magnetic pull, her other foot shifted. The distance between them widened, but he didn’t follow her. “Not when you take away somebody’s will.”
“Your time is running out, Faye.” He took another drink and set his glass on the bar. “There’s no escape.”
Sitting between Fabio and Max would be more desirable than continuing their conversation. “I need to get back to my friends.”
“What friends? Whitney?” Vern’s smile was full of pity. “Can you really call her your friend? The only reason she likes you is because you make her look good.”
“That’s not true,” she snapped, but knew he was right.
“Oh, but it is. She’s as shallow as a saucer.” He tilted his head to the side, his expression turning sympathetic. “I’m the only true friend you have. The only person who really knows you.”
She scrunched her brow in confusion. Vern was as crazy as the rest of the men. Maybe he was just as affected as the others. “Until today I’d never seen you.”
“Not true. You just didn’t notice me. They never do—until they need us.”
Great, he was referring to himself in third person. “Well, I don’t need you, so…” She took another step back. “Bye.”
“Faye?”
She stopped.
“The contract is binding, so you may as well enjoy it.”
Cold dread poured over her. “What do you mean?”
“Thousands have tried, but nobody has ever broken the contract. Embrace your destiny.”
Every cell in her body wanted to scream in denial, but she knew who—or maybe what—she was looking at. “Are you Satan?”
He executed a slight bow. “No, just a lowly servant. My Lord wouldn’t dirty his hands with the menial task of one woman’s soul. He has bigger irons in the fire.”
“So what, you’re like a recruiter?”
“Exactly, and I’m afraid that once signed, the contract is unbreakable.”
Years of being ignored, taken advantage of, and manipulated bubbled to the surface. “We’ll see about that.”
He did one of those horror movie laughs and Faye couldn’t be sure, but she thought she saw flames flicker in his eyes. “I love a challenge. It’s so much sweeter when they’re dragged to Hell kicking and screaming.”
His words knocked some of the defiant wind out of her and replaced it with a breath of pure fear. Maybe taunting one of Satan’s minions wasn’t the wisest plan. A thousand questions crowded her mind, but only one made it to her lips.
“And when will that be?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” He tapped his watch. “Tictock, Ms. Albert, tictock.”
A warm hand settled against her arm. “Faye?”
Christopher’s voice was like a net cast into a tumultuous sea. She clung to its reassuring tone and looked at him. A sliver of reality slipped back into place. She took a deep breath and glanced back to Vern, but he had disappeared. The crowd pressed around them. Faye rose on her toes and scanned the bar, but the man was gone.
“Who are you looking for?”
A chill ran across her neck. She rubbed her arms. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
“Are you all right? You seem upset.”
No, she definitely wasn’t all right. “Can we get out of here?”
His gaze tracked upward, over her head, and around the bar.
Faye took his hand. “Please?”
Concerned? Placating? She couldn’t tell what his smile meant, and she didn’t care as long as they left. His fingers entwined with hers. Without a word, he turned and pushed his way through the crowd. She thought she heard her name being called but didn’t turn around to look. They circled around the spiraling steel staircase and stepped onto the transparent dance floor. A different colored ligh
t illuminated each step Faye took, spotlighting their departure for everyone on the second floor to see, including Satan’s little helper.
Thankfully Christopher didn’t stop until they reached the steps outside the club. The warm night air enveloped her and the music’s beat faded to a muffle as the door shut behind them. A line of people stood behind a red rope, waiting to get inside the club. Any one of them could have her spot.
Faye realized she still held the glass. She raised the drink and swallowed three large gulps. She handed Christopher the drink. “Want some?”
He took the glass, polished off the last of the G&T, and set it on the step. “Where to?”
Where to, indeed. Was there any place that she would feel safe now that she’d met her demonic stalker? “Can we walk for a while?”
“Sure, and maybe you’ll tell me what happened in there.”
“Maybe.”
Neither spoke for several blocks. The silence wasn’t strained, but it also wasn’t comfortable. Faye pondered what Satan’s lackey had said about men falling at her feet. Everybody’s crazy behavior had to be a result from her hitting the Follow button. Maybe the Devil’s influence was working on Christopher. She cut her gaze to him. Maybe his affection was part of a bigger plan. Damn, she really liked him. It would completely suck if he only wanted her because Satan controlled him.
She stopped and pulled out her phone to check for coverage. Nothing. It was as if she stood in the middle of nowhere. Obviously Satan controlled more than just her computer at home.
“Are you ready to tell me what has you so upset?” said Christopher.
She slid her phone back into her pocket and took a deep breath. With a heavy exhale she said, “The Devil’s minion was at the night club.”
He gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Are you kidding?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Did he hurt you?”
The concern in his voice gave her some much-needed comfort. She shook her head again. “No. We just talked.”
“About?”
“About how men are falling at my feet thanks to the Devil, and how I should be grateful, go with the flow, and accept my fate.”
His grip loosened. “And?”
She released his hand. “And what?”
“What did you decide?”
She scowled at him. “I’ve decided the grass is always greener. I’d rather be alone than share my life with somebody who doesn’t truly love me. And I’ll be damned if I’m going to roll over and go willingly to Hell.”
His shoulders relaxed, the tension draining from him. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Good.”
Faye pressed her hands against his chest. “How do I know you’re not under Satan’s spell?”
“Trust me.”
His lips lowered to hover a breath from hers. Breathing grew difficult. Every cell in her body wanted to believe he was different. “I wish I could be certain.”
“The only certainty in life is death. Sometimes you have to have faith.”
Before she could voice another concern, he kissed her. All rational thought flew from her head as his lips crushed hers. This felt right—too right. Maybe that was Satan’s plan. Damn her for not being strong enough to resist.
She sank into his embrace, unable to deny herself what might be the only piece of him she’d ever have. Either he’d awaken from the Devil’s influence or worse, she’d have a V.I.P. seat to one of the circles of Hell.
The way he rubbed against her reminded her of the time she climbed the rope in gym class. Her insides had felt all jangly. At least now she knew what that wonderful sensation was and what to do about it. A moan bloomed up her throat. She wrapped her arms around his neck and practically climbed his body like a horny chimpanzee.
“Faye?” Christopher said against her mouth. She ignored him and plunged her tongue back into his mouth “Faye?” He grabbed her arms and pushed her back. “Faye?” She reached for him again, but he held her tight. “Let’s go somewhere.”
A lustful haze clouded her mind and it took several seconds before she realized where they were. She looked around. People smiled, and a few gave Christopher the thumbs up. Heat crept up her neck. What was wrong with her? If he hadn’t stopped her, she would have dry-humped him in front of a hundred people.
“How embarrassing.” She covered her face with her hands. “I’m sorry.”
He wrapped his arm around her. “I’m not.”
Chapter Five
Early Sunday Morning
Faye looked up. Pierre Shogun’s warehouse loomed in front of them. “Wow, I didn’t realize we’d walked this far.”
“Good company will do that,” Christopher said.
“Yeah, or a long walk to cool the fires of desire.”
“Not too cool, I hope.”
She doubted that could happen where he was concerned. Over the past twenty-four hours her mild crush had blossomed into full-blown affection. Her ardor faded, replaced by a feeling of unease. She turned and scanned the dark street behind them. A lone figure stood shadowed just beyond the glow of the street light. Her pulse began to race. Satan’s minion. Christopher followed her gaze.
“Do you see him?” she asked.
“Who?”
“The man by the lamppost?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“He’s standing just outside the light.” It was selfish, but she desperately needed an ally in her crazy reality. “In the bar he told me people chose not to see him but he was always around.”
Christopher squinted in the direction she’d indicated. Then slowly, his eyes widened, the whites shimmering in the dim light. “I see him.”
“Really?” She clutched his arm. “You’re not just saying that to make feel better?”
“No, I see him.” He looked at her. “Do you have your keys?”
“For the office?”
“Yeah, let’s get off the street.”
She’d downsized her purse for the evening out but still carried the necessities, both phones—even though they didn’t work—money, ID, and her wad of keys. The rattle of the keys sounded loud in the quiet of the street. She punched in the security code and unlocked three deadbolts. Christopher pulled the metal door shut behind them and reengaged the locks.
“Let’s call a cab,” he said.
“There’s a phone in the warehouse.” She led the way, flipping on lights as she went. “They were supposed to deliver part of the church today. I check on that while you call a cab.”
Christopher cocked a brow. “Your immortal soul is in peril and you want to check on the shipment?”
She shrugged. “I can’t help it. When I get anxious I work.”
“I hope Pierre knows how lucky he is to have you.”
“No, but I’ve decided I’m going to tell him. After this I really don’t have much to lose.”
The scrape of the metal door echoed through the warehouse as he dragged it open. Each switch he flipped engaged a row of fluorescent lights, making them hum. Half of the cavernous room was illuminated.
“There they are.” Faye walked to the stack. It looked like the men had delivered about a hundred bricks. She ran her hand around the edges of the nearest stones. “They look like they’re in good shape.”
Christopher joined her. “I’m sure Pierre has something spectacular planned for them.”
“I’m sure. The man is crazy but he definitely knows design.”
The shrill ring of her phone startled her. She removed her hand from the stones and fumbled in her purse, but the ringing stopped. The screen said one call missed. Pierre must be trying to phone her at—she glanced at the time on the screen—one in the morning. She’d be irritated with him if she wasn’t already even more irritated with Satan. The phone now registered no coverage.
“That’s weird.” She flipped the phone shut and shoved it back in her purse. “It only rang once, but it did ring. That’s the first time since…�
�� She thought back to when she’d used her phone last. “Since the Bandicott Estate.”
Christopher took out his phone. “I use my phone all the time but it says no coverage.” He slid it back in his pocket. “Looks like somebody doesn’t want you making calls.”
“Or checking my email.”
He nodded. “Maybe you were onto something by trying to unfollow. Maybe that’s why you’re being tailed.”
“Because I’m too close?”
“Yeah, I think Mr. Minion is getting nervous.”
Faye looked at the stones. She’d been touching them when her phone rang. She placed her hand against the top of a brick and her phone chirped. She pressed both hands on the bricks and her phone chirped again, more loudly.
“Help me. I have an idea.” She lifted a stone and placed it on the floor about ten feet from the pile. “Lay out some of the stones on the floor.”
He picked up a brick and followed her over. “Why?”
The feeling of being watched returned. If Vern was inside the building, she didn’t want to give away her plan. She tried to sound nonchalant. “I want to examine some of the stones before we call a cab. Mr. Shogun will kill me if the moving crew damaged any of these.”
Christopher’s brow furrowed in confusion. “So you want to examine each stone?”
“No.” Her voice sounded unnaturally high. “Maybe twenty or so.”
If her suspicions were correct then the stones just might be the answer to her dilemma. The trick was to not let the demon know she’d figured it out before she had a chance to test her theory. The chapel had been the one place her phone had worked. She prayed everything she’d read about holy ground would apply to these stones.
After several minutes of hauling bricks, they’d managed to lay out a square stone platform big enough for two people. Faye knelt, pretending to examine the pieces while digging in her purse. She pulled out the phone Mr. Shogun had given her and stood, searching the shadows of the warehouse. But she couldn’t see anything beyond the light, Still, she felt him and knew he was there.
Her heartbeats thumped at the base of her throat and she tried to swallow past it. She didn’t know what the next few minutes would bring, but if she didn’t try to thwart the Devil then her fate was sealed. The unimaginable torture the nuns had drilled into her head strengthened her resolve.