Maximus. Head of house security.
At first glance, he doesn’t look like much—lean build, brown hair, chocolate brown almost black eyes. But I know better. Maximus has taken out almost as many people as The Wraith.
And Barbra knows it.
As his gaze lands on her, his jaw tightens. He takes a step forward, and instantly, she moves back.
“Well, Maximus,” I say, turning to him. “This wench somehow got onto my property—despite being very much unwelcome. You may need to have a little chat with the guys at the gate.”
Maximus’s nostrils flare slightly, the only outward sign of the hatred he also has for this woman. “I’ll handle it.”
Barbra glares at me. “This is not over, Selene.”
The way she spits my name like a curse only amuses me further.
“Oh, but it is, Barbra.” I wave my hand toward the door. “Now, be a good girl and leave.”
She straightens her shoulders, holding her head high like she still has some dignity left, before spinning on her heels and stalking toward the exit.
“Make sure she gets off the property,” I tell Maximus, “And remind the guards that she is to never step foot on my property again.”
He nods before heading out after her.
With a long sigh, I turn on my heel and head back upstairs. That encounter definitely calls for a long, hot bath.
? ? ?
“Well, do my eyes deceive me, or is that Selene Nightshade in the flesh?”
I roll my eyes at the teasing voice but can’t stop the smile that tugs at my lips.
Lily.
She grins at me, her cherry-cola-colored hair tied up in a high ponytail, blue eyes twinkling with mischief.
It’s been a week since I last saw her, and for Lily, anything longer than a few days is unacceptable.
“Lily, you miss me that much?” I tease. “You’re the one who’s been busy with work.”
She lets out a loud, carefree laugh, making my smile widen.
“Hey, a girl’s gotta make her money. And my new boss is kind of a hard-ass.” She winks, then flags down a waiter.
Lily and I met in college five years ago in a computer intelligence course. She was studying cybersecurity—an absolute genius with technology.
My father recruited her while she was still a student after I mentioned her talents over breakfast one morning.
She’s been working ever since.
Lately working to uncover who was involved in happened to my father.
“Well,” I say, “your boss appreciates all your effort on this specific job.”
A shadow passes over her face.
To Lily, my father was more than a mentor—he was family. As the eldest of three kids to a single mother, my dad took her under his wing, just like he did with Maximus.
“I’m getting closer, Selene. I swear. But we both know where this is leading in the end.”
