This could be good. Someone into her work, just like me. “I totally get it. I haven’t had to travel more than 30 miles for work in the past, but it has kept me much busier than others. I appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule for me.” Every year I take the time to train for interview skills, learning what the appropriate behaviors are and what has changed, because the etiquette is always changing. And I want to be able to land any position I want, within a company I already work for, or for a new company when I’ve lost my job.
Like now.
“If you’re anything like what your profile makes you appear, the time is worth it.” She begins to go into my experience, and we glaze over some positions while she has me go into detail about others. Even asking questions about specific situations. She mentions more than once about how much of my work has involved children, and I know theirs also involves helping children in developing countries, though descriptions online are vague.
Not exactly unexpected for such a new organization.
“Honestly, I feel you are the best fit. I can’t find anyone else who would be available right now and have a resume as impressive as yours.” My whole body tingles at her words, feeling like this is the moment I get my life back on track. A turning point. And then, when she reveals the salary, I try not to show the shock on my face lest she change her mind. It’s so much more than anything I’ve ever been offered, and she doesn’t even blink at it.
“What’s the catch?” I joke, feeling more comfortable with her than I ever expected.
“There is one little thing; you’ll have to move to South Africa within two weeks and sign a confidentiality agreement.”
I blink. I shouldn’t be surprised my presence will be needed in Africa, considering that’s where she told me they will be starting. Helping children that are kidnapped for use in armies. I am surprised by the suddenness, but I know this is an extraordinary opportunity and the luck will pass if I say no.
The confidentiality agreement is also a little weird. But who am I to judge?
“That’s fine. I’ll begin preparations.”
“Great. If you give me your phone number and email I will send you contacts and calendars you may need and anything else I can think of. Welcome to Hopeful Futures, Melody.”
Leaving in two weeks means I have more than just packing up my life and subleasing my apartment to handle.
I actually have a boyfriend, Carson, who I’ve been with for three years. A long time to some and not to others. We’re comfortable with each other, but we’re not so madly in love that I need to try and drag this out with me in another country and keep him from pursuing happiness elsewhere. It would just be unfair.
But I’m not cruel enough to break up with him over the phone. He deserves an in-person explanation.
That’s why I asked him to meet me the next morning for breakfast, though I let him pick the place.
I pull up to a local, popular spot, the kind that has both typical dishes like eggs Benedict along with lunch and brunch specials I can’t even pronounce. We’ve been here before on a few dates and liked the atmosphere.
You can get good food without dim lighting and heavy romantic feels. That’s just not us. We’re more good conversation and food, walk in the park after and people watch.
I sit down where Carson’s already waiting, his sweater sleeves pushed up to his elbows since this is Atlanta, and it’s rarely cold enough for sleeves down, even if he is one of those guys that looks sexy in a good sweater.
The waiter comes over, and he orders mimosas for himself, and I shake my head even when he looks at me expectantly.
“I have some work to do today, so no mimosas for me. Just water, thanks.” I smile at the waiter and shoot Carson an odd look. I almost never drink in the middle of the day unless it’s the weekend and I have been promised I’ll have the time off.
Then again, he knows I lost my job. He might have just assumed it was okay.
I soften my gaze and settle into my seat, wondering how to bring this up. I want it to be a fair goodbye, enjoying a meal together. But I’ll be sure we go Dutch because I don’t want any bad taste in our mouths for one of us paying for a meal like we’re together and then just breaking up with him at the end.
I order something light, though, not wanting to draw it out, and as he continues to question if I’m sure I don’t want something more or to go somewhere else, finally reaching out to touch my hand with romantic intentions. I can’t let this go on anymore.
“Carson, these three years have been great. You’ve been so supportive of my career and just kind of laid back and yet serious at the same time. But I got a new opportunity I can’t refuse. It will take me out of the country, and I leave in two weeks. I don’t want to leave you on the line here waiting for me when we don’t have any plans for the future.”
“Excuse me?” he says it a little loudly, and it garners us some stares that make me squirm.
“Carson . . . “
“No,” he cuts me off. “It’s my turn to talk.” His face is red. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him angry unless it involves a poor performance from his favorite sports team, so I’m a little lost here.
“We’ve been together twice as long as my parents were when they got married. In fact, I have a ring waiting back at home and was hoping to propose this weekend when we had our date. The one I finally got you to agree on after you got fired. I was so sure this was going to be our time. You don’t need to make a lot of money, and you know that. I wanted you, for life, Melody, but I should’ve known you always wanted work more than anyone.”
I look around, entirely uncomfortable with the conversation now. I wish someone would come and save me from this. “I . . . I didn’t even think you were in love with me . . . “ I can’t find anything else to say, and I don’t know if it’s the right thing. Of course, I feel bad for crossing my signals and for hurting him, but this really is out of left field.
He throws some cash down on the table that will probably more than pay for the meal and stands up, his anger out of control. Though, he must know it since he’s preparing to leave. “You’re an emotionally absent, fucked up, bitch, and I only say it because I care enough to wake you up. Not everything is work, and you can’t save kids if you can’t save yourself.”
Chapter Two
Mikel
I walk in the door and spot Ion, already having found a spot to sit and fade into the background a bit at this party.
Though Ion is younger and our upbringing was markedly different, there’s something that makes us kindred spirits. Neither of us likes all the pomp and circumstance. I don’t mind letting loose every once in a while, and I even get energy from being around all these people, in costumes, celebrating what Mariana and I have cooked up. I just don’t like to get involved in the fake conversations, the shallow flirtations. I like the simpler things.
And that’s why, even as much as this party for Hopeful Futures has to do with me, I make a beeline for the king of the Clans and take a seat across from him, lounging comfortably as he nods to me.
“Mikel, it’s been too long.” He actually sounds like he means it, and I give him a smile as he passes me a cigar, lighting both mine and his.
I take in a drag, enjoying the smooth flavor and the slow buzz it gives me. I cross a leg over my knee and relax into the conversation that comes naturally, which is, luckily, nothing business related.
That’s the other thing about Ion, he knows where business belongs. Even though this party is for a charity, it’s still a party.
And it’s the one thing I enjoy about being here in the States; some time off. My trusted associate, Amo, makes sure, as much as he can, that what I’ve left behind runs smoothly. A man from one of the local tribes I’d given a job, which has afforded his family a better life. And I could trust the man with my life.
“How has life been for you in South Africa? A little slower than in New York.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Som
e may see it that way, and I guess it’s true. But there’s still drama, just different.”
Ion nods and takes a drag of his own cigar. “What about the women?”
I shoot him a look, and he knows it’s a loaded question. His laughter tells me even more that he knows. He’s poking fun at me, as a friend and as my boss.
I’ve always known it’s been expected of me to provide an heir for my Clan, and technically, I did that. Or at least, I tried. Whether or not that heir will ever take my place, I can’t say. And I likely won’t know while I am alive. Though, the situation with Willow gave us both hope, but it had been a few years since either of us had mentioned something.
And since, I haven’t even attempted to be with a woman for more than a nameless single night.
“You know how women and me are. And now that I’ve got all this gray hair, well, my prospects are dwindling.” The words are bitter, but they come out with a comical tone. I’ve accepted that as a part of my life.
“You would be surprised. There are women who like that kind of thing.”
I try not to react at the strange moment right after, when Mariana makes her way to us, in some black number that makes her look menacing and sexy all at once. But very much Ion’s.
It’s the woman she brings with her that catches more of my attention than I’d like to admit.
She’s a curvy, busty, blonde. Not the bottle kind either. Every bit of her is real, from what I can tell.
She’s dressed in blue that matches her eyes, a short dress that makes it clear she’s not that insecure about her a-typical body type, though, as far as I’m concerned, I prefer my women that way. With real curves.
The way her hair is pulled up reminds me of a 1950s pin-up girl.
“Mikel, just the man we were looking for.” Mariana smiles and sits on the edge of the chair that Ion occupies, crossing her legs and pointing to the curvy woman like a prize on a cheesy game show.
I can’t take my eyes off of her as Mariana continues. “This is Melody, and I have hired her to be your liaison to help with certain duties at Hopeful Futures.”
Ion reaches his hand out first to shake hers, and then I do the same. I try not to whistle at her as my eyes move up and down her body against my will.
This is the first time I’ve felt this way immediately after looking at a woman, and I instantly know this is going to make working together quite interesting.
Chapter Three
Melody
“Melody, this is Ion, my husband, and this is Mikel, the man behind Hopeful Futures that you will be heading to South Africa with.”
As I shake his hand, I can’t help but notice that this salt and pepper haired man is staring at me. His eyes undressing me even as I step away and he takes a drag from the cigar in his hand.
Not that some old man checking me out is going to keep me from doing my job - the best job opportunity I’ve had in my entire career. Not to mention the fact I doubt Mariana is the kind of woman to let anything untoward to go on. He’s probably not creepy, just buzzed and I guess thinks I’m attractive. I should be flattered by that, especially as the dust of the awful final encounter with Carson hasn’t settled yet.
The conversation falls into boring small talk and things only the three of them know about. I let my eyes and ears get lost in the sights and sounds around me instead, enjoying all the costumes I see and waiting to be brought into the conversation or be told what to do.
This is not what I expected from a party meant to announce a charity, but then again, this is a whole different crowd than what I am used to.
These people are dripping with money.
“Walk.” The word pulls my attention back to the man who I need to learn to work and get along with, and I notice his arm is held out toward me. He’s now standing, and I smile tightly, taking his arm.
This is the moment I’ve been waiting for, and I hope we can easily fall into the roles of colleagues. “So, I have all these ideas about how to help the kids and get this going. I’m sure you know I was brought on board because of my work with children and teens in the past. Before we get to that, I would love to know what your working style is. I can easily adapt to anything, but I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable. This is a great opportunity for me, and I plan to go above and beyond.”
My voice is enthusiastic, and I feel more like myself than I have in days. Finally diving into what I know.
“Woah there, I know this party is about the charity and us meeting, but it’s still a party. Let’s enjoy it.”
I furrow my brows at him as he looks away, nodding to a few people as we keep moving through the crowd in this massive house, and I wonder, not for the first time, if this is a rental or if it’s actually someone’s home.
“Look, I can tell there’s an argument coming.” He stops moving, pulling me to the side for a moment. “But we are the lucky ones, and it would be doing those who can’t celebrate like this a disservice not to appreciate what we have.”
“I’ve never thought about it that way.” It’s puzzling, but he’s not wrong. I just don’t know how to let loose, how to live like these people do. I’m going to try and learn if I can.
But maybe it’s okay just for one night. After all, I’ll be off to Africa soon, and then, we’ll be diving right in.
“Okay, that’s fair,” I finally agree, noticing a crowd gathering in the middle of the room next to us, dancing. “Why don’t we have a dance then?”
He nods, smiling down at me, and leads me to the floor, finding a free spot, though there isn’t much of one.
As we get into position, I can’t help but notice, regardless of how old he seems, his arm is strong, his sleeves hiding a man who’s fit like someone much younger.
Though, I have to admit to myself, there’s no way to know what his age is. Some men do go gray early, and he’s rather handsome and lithe.
I shake the thoughts from my head. Just because we’re enjoying a party doesn’t mean what’s between him and I is more than work. I am not here to have a relationship with this man, and I’m in no place to have one anyway.
Carson showed me that.
I lost focus, and signals got crossed. I can’t afford for that to happen again, especially with a job at stake.
So, tonight, it’s casual play. Tomorrow, it’s a job.
Chapter Four
Mikel
My bags packed, Mariana and Ion have made sure that today will go smoothly, at least as far as getting both Melody and I into South Africa.
Back home where we will be alone together for the most part. I don’t know yet how I feel about that.
As I head for the private plane, glad not for the first time that we won’t have to switch airports several times to get where we are going, my phone rings.
Finding it odd, considering Mariana and Ion know where I’m headed right now, I pull it out. I’m even more perplexed by the name that shows up.
Davide.
Davide is the Clan leader from Italy, a young man who enjoys a good party. Though, his attention has been elsewhere over the past two years.
“Davide?” I question into the phone.
“Sorry, Mikel, I hope I didn’t pull you away from something important. I know you and Mariana have been working on some business.”
“I’m actually headed onto one of Ion’s planes now, going from Atlanta back home. How can I help you?” he sounds stressed, which can’t bode well for the reason he’s called. He’s not exactly one of the members I’m closest to.
Though, of course, I would come to the aid of any member of the Clans if asked, as long as they don’t ask me to betray the king or queen. “As you know, I’ve been searching for a child that was stolen from me before I even knew she existed. I’ve finally gotten a lead, and I need your help as it turns out she may be in your territory.”
That gives me pause, the thought of a young child from Italy ending up in Africa, especially in my neck of the woods, it’s frightening. Even more s
o for the father, I’m sure.
Davide’s ways with parties and women had impregnated a woman who got herself in trouble with the wrong man, had the wrong associates at a brothel. The baby was stolen right out of her dead stomach in a horrific attack made by his current wife’s own sister.
Even for a man like me, I find it to be a disgusting act.
“Of course, I’ll do anything in my power. What do you know?”
“I don’t know much, but it’s better than anything I’ve had yet,” he begins, and I can hear the emotion even as he tries to hold it back. There is no weakness I see here, though, no matter his fear. A man’s child is something that can bring him to his knees no matter what he does for a living.
“The man that has her has a gold front tooth and a scar down his chin that extends over his neck. I was never given his name, but I was told he was wearing a dark green ensemble, possibly that of one of the armies or even one of the warlords in the region.”
That’s exactly what I feared when he mentioned it, but I could think of no other entity that would want young children where I lived that didn’t belong there.
“I’ll start making calls as soon as I get back and inform all my men to be on the lookout for a girl around the age of two who suddenly appeared. It’s their job to know.”
I hang up, thinking I have a little hope as I rush to the plane, knowing I’m late boarding.
Melody is already on the plane and strapped in, her eyes meeting mine as I come onboard and get settled as well.
I don’t know what strikes me more; her blue eyes, or the fact that she looks ready to get right back into work.
I have a few things to teach her yet.
Flawed (The Clans Book 12) Page 2