Chapter 1
Pressing my fingers into my temples using the desk as leverage I sighed loudly as my head hung over the stack of paperwork. The last year and a half had been chaotic on a good day and I was desperately looking forward for this “good” day to end. I felt fingers glide up the back of my neck and into my hairline, pressing firmly on both sides of my spine.
“Thank you Owen.” I groaned in appreciation as my eyes fluttered open to continue reading the application under my elbows.
He was so quiet sometimes I forgot he was in the room. The emotional scars he bore were still far worse than any of the multitudes that marked his brown skin. He had fairly recently taken to not cowing at the sound of my voice which I was grateful for.
I signed off on the one year review of the new chef. That he specialized in modern French cuisine hadn’t gone unnoticed and I smiled knowing that Jacob had made the choice with my favorite foods in mind. I tossed the paper in the outgoing box on my desk, my brow furrowing looking at its measly pile compared to the in box I still had to sort through before I left.
Two hours later I found myself walking the grounds triple checking that everything was in order. The first annual event started tomorrow and we were all worn thin ensuring it would be a success.
It had been a year and a half since Damien, Cassian and I had purchased the sprawling estate near Temecula. Six months of extensive renovations and a year of operating without major events so that we could all ensure everything ran perfectly had drained all of us, mentally and financially. The four days the event was to run had us fully booked, which should have been celebrated but instead we remained cautious. With it we would finally be in the green instead of hemorrhaging money. Hopefully.
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Check-in had gone slowly but smoothly. The cocktail hour had gone over really well too. I couldn’t wait to get out of the heels I had been wearing for hours beneath the long flowing red dress. Playing hostess wasn’t high on my list of enjoyable activities but I had been at it all morning and day. I was up early checking each room after they had been cleaned yesterday and then decided to hit the gym for an hour to destress slightly before everyone started to arrive at ten. It was almost six now, an hour after Damien had arrived to take over for the night yet I still hadn’t managed to slip away.
“Stunning as ever darling.” Cassian said as he strode up to my side. He was as usual wearing only black leather pants and boots, a riding crop hanging from a belt loop. He had recently gotten large black lined wings tattooed across his back and I leaned around to look at them.
“I was hoping to match the nice red on you.” I playfully joked.
“Alas, all healed. Maybe you’d like to dig your nails into it later if the red suits you, hmm?” His eyes lit with a soft burning.
“I am curious exactly how far down those wings go…” I teased back. It was the truth though. They disappeared into his pants waistband without indication they stopped anytime soon.
“Maybe I’ll knock on your door later and show you. But, listen…”
Here we go. I knew he wanted something to be seeking me out less than ten minutes before he peacocked around on stage.
“I know you’re supposed to be headed out but I need you to sit in on the auction. Check if the lighting and sound are up to snuff or if we need changes before tomorrow night. Damien seems too busy with getting dinner sorted.”
Without much thought aside from knowing I was currently running on three hours of sleep but knew this weekend was too important I said “You owe me.” I poked my finger into his chest for emphasis.
He chuckled lightly and kissed the back of my hand that he had snatched from his chest. “I’ll make sure to pay you back properly. After you.”
We walked together to the large auditorium. The amphitheater style seating I had modeled after The Ridge. I had always enjoyed how close it allowed you to be without the encumbrance of individual chairs. Instead of a standard stage Cassian had designed the auditorium so that the stage was in the center of the room instead of to one end. “To allow a better view” had been his exact words. He didn’t mean of the wares he was selling, he meant of himself.
Being alone made it easy to find a seat. A few short minutes later the lights dimmed slightly indicating the start. Well, that looked good at least. I checked it off of my mental list as Cassian all but emerged from the center stage as an overhead light cast directly down on him. Another crafted “experience” he had pushed for, the stage having direct access to the basement so that they wouldn’t have to parade through the auditorium.
“Ladies and gentlemen I have the pleasure of welcoming you to the very first auction here at The Manor! We know you are going to enjoy your weekend with us and there is no better way to ensure a pleasurable time than to take one of the delicious little treats you’ll find on display for you here tonight.”
Mic sounds good, lighting seems fine so far. He was gesturing largely, his hands free thanks to the lapel mic snapped to the silver chain he was wearing around his neck. Another little request so that his hands were both free to “enhance the experience”.
“If you need a bidding card please see an attendant at the back of the room quickly as the show is to begin momentarily.” He walked around the stage for a few moments before continuing. “Alright! Let’s get to the goods! First up tonight we have the voluptuous Valeria.” As if on cue the short brown skinned woman stepped up from beneath the stage, her hands placed on the back of her neck. She made her way to Cassian and stood on the mark near him. Then the entire stage began to slowly spin.
Another mental check for the stage working properly. I let my eyes travel across the assembled room as Cassian prattled on. Assessing everything from if anyone appeared to be squinting to see, straining to hear, the lighting still bright enough to navigate safely, if the space fit the crowd comfortably and everything in between.
Within minutes Valeria was walking into the crowd to find her purchaser. If the pace kept this would only take an hour and I sighed tiredly. I could have left but I wanted to make sure this first event went well so I sat back and tried to relax. I pulled the ancient cell phone out of my pocket and started going through e-mails only occasionally glancing up to ensure things were still running smoothly.
“We come to the end of our night with one last delicacy left on the table.”
Thank fuck. My entire body was aching and I desperately needed a Tylenol, a hot shower and at least six hours of sleep if I wanted to make it through tomorrow. I quickly typed, determined to finish the email before the event ended and I was bombarded with people recognizing me and asking questions.
“Finally, we have the always eager to please Evan.”
My eyes shot up and my heart skipped a beat as I watched a form step up into the stage lights.
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