“Plus,” I add, standing up, my cock twitching at her suggestive tone. “It would be very naughty to christen a house that’s not ours.”
Emery stalks toward us, her hips swaying seductively as she peers up at me through a thick veil of lashes. She tilts that pretty little head.
“So buy it.”
I grin. “Whatever you say, darling.”
Damon grunts as Emery places a hand on both our chests. “Well? What’re you doing still standing here? Go.” With a wily wink, she slips past us, strutting toward the staircase. She glances over her shoulder. “If you keep me waiting, I’ll start myself.”
“He’s going to hunt her,” Damon grunts under his breath as he meets my eyes. “You know he is.”
“One problem at a time, D,” I rasp, waving at the realtor. She scurries over, and I fish out a pre-written check from my breast pocket. “We’ll take it. You may leave now.”
“But...” She opens her mouth, gawking at the full amount.
“Go,” Damon states, glaring down at her. “And lock the door behind you.”
She blinks but doesn’t say another word. A deafening click sounds as she exits the brownstone. And as we climb the stairs toward our awaiting, willing prey, Damon’s comment plays on repeat in my mind.
It seems that everyone is on a hunt for something.
Someone.
And whether I like it or not, all roads lead to Emery.
THE KARMIC SCALES
EMERY
I standin front of the floor-length mirror, the reflection staring back at me a composite of two worlds. One with her heart. The other with mine.
My condo is a chaotic mess of packed boxes, each one carrying pieces of my past and present lives. I won’t bring everything with me. Nothing too heavy. Too damaged. But it’s okay to bring a piece of the past into the present. A small reminder of all the things I’ve endured. All the things I’ve discovered about myself.
I adjust the lapels of my tailored Chanel suit. The fabric feels smooth against my skin. Comfortable. Everything feels more comfortable now. Before this weekend, silk often felt like barbed wire. Not anymore. Never again.
I check the time quickly. The press conference starts in one hour. They’ll be here to pick me up soon.
I can’t say I’m looking forward to the dozens of reporters and cameras, but it’s for a good cause. It’s for a good man.
Quinton’s sense of justice is admirable. Soon, he’ll stand in front of the entire media and make an announcement. An announcement that will help thousands of lives. Aside from my newfound faith in the universe, this might be the only good thing to come out of this nightmare.
Four hundred million dollars. The money they stole—minus a hundred million to make it less suspicious. The extra has already been anonymously donated to various charities. It’s funny, really. At the end of the day, Simone and Toni got what they were fighting for. A fund for the families affected by the Diazenix scandal. And now, after everything, Quin will be dubbed America’s golden boy all over again. But I think this is his way of balancing the karmic scales.
Take a life.
Help thousands.
As I finish applying a subtle layer of lipstick, the room suddenly fills with piercing electronic beeps. I drop the lipstick, covering my ears from the high-pitched screech sounding from my phone, tablet, and laptop.
I wince, fishing my phone out of my blazer pocket.
What the hell is that?An emergency alert? Before I have a chance to see the screen, the sound stops.
I stare at the black screen, only my reflection looking back at me.
No notification.
Nothing.
