Chapter Six
Jacob Stone ground his teeth together when he saw the number on his phone’s display. It took him a moment to work up the ability to fake a smile in his voice before he answered. “Grandfather. What a pleasant surprise.”
“What the hell kind of game are you and that little bitch of yours playing at?”
The old man hadn’t bothered even trying to fake civility.
“I’m sorry,” Jacob drawled. “I have no idea what you mean. Allison and I are on our honeymoon—as you know.”
“Don’t play coy with me, you sniveling little coward. You’ve been interfering with our operations since theincidentin the fall.”
“I’m no longer in the inner circle,” Jacob reminded him. “How exactly would I interfere with anything, Grandfather?”
The man grunted. “The only reason you’re still alive is because you’re my grandson—”
Yeah, right.
“—and because you might still have some use. Your ‘Faithful,’ as you call them, have been quite persistent in lobbying for your return to the Illuminati’s good graces.”
Jacob was silent, waiting to hear if there was more to his grandfather’s statement. Most of Jacob’s Faithful were lost souls, misguided criminals who would blindly follow anyone who gave them hope of something better—in Jacob’s case, hope that he would one day ascend to his rightful position of power as the One True Master, and lead them in creating a world without crippling diplomacy and political correctness, a world where the weak were crushed without mercy to make way for those who were unafraid to take what was theirs.
But his plan wasn’t really so different from his grandfather’s. The man had once turned his back on the Alliance, frustrated with their stubborn persistence in trying to guide and protect humankind, and had secretly pledged his allegiance to the Illuminati, working as a spy and providing them intelligence that had nearly brought the Alliance to its knees. Until he was discovered and the war of attrition between the two groups cost both sides many of their best.
Those who’d remained loyal to the Illuminati’s agenda retreated to lick their wounds and bide their time. But that time had come. And he’d be damned if he was going to let that sadistic bastard claim all the glory.
Finally, when his grandfather said nothing more on the matter, Jacob sighed. “Was there anything else?”
“Stay out of our business, Jacob,” his grandfather warned. “The future of the Illuminati is no longer your concern.”
As soon as the line disconnected, Jacob released a roar of rage and frustration that brought Allison running into the room, their security guards at her heels.
“Jacob! What is it?” she panted. “What’s happened?”
“Not my business?” he raged. “Not my fuckingbusiness?” He closed the gap between them with a few furious strides. “That son of a bitch will pay for shutting me out. He has no idea what I’m capable of.”
Allison’s eyes glittered with delight. “There it is,” she whispered. “There is the passion I fell in love with.” She turned to the guards. “Get out.”
Without a word, they both hurried from the room, shutting the double doors to the sitting room behind them.
As soon as they’d gone, Allison took Jacob’s face in her hands. “Your grandfather will be sorry he ever doubted you,” she assured him. She pulled him down to press a long, sultry kiss to his lips that immediately soothed his temper. “I will drive a dagger into his heart myself, if you ask it, Jacob.” She slid her hand down between them, and his cock sprang to life, eager for her touch. He squeezed his eyes shut as she leaned into him and pressed a kiss to the side of his neck.
“And I want you to be there when I do. I want him to plead for his life, beg you for mercy. I want you to see the fear in his eyes when he realizes you are the One True Master—the man who will lead this world into its glory.”
He opened his eyes when she released him to slide down to her knees before him. He gazed down at her hungrily as she freed him and took him into her mouth, her gaze locking with his as her tongue caressed him.
Intoxicated with pleasure and the power that was within his grasp, he let his head fall back on his shoulders and raised his arms to his sides, as he let out a cry of triumph.
* * *
“I’m pretty sure that picture hasn’t changed since you looked at it five minutes ago.”
Will Asher dragged his gaze away from the photo of Claire Davenport on the flatscreen that hung on his office wall. “Thank you for that keen observation, Finn. Remind me why you’re still here?”
Finn leaned back in Will’s chair and propped his feet up on the desk, then raised a single brow at him. “Offering up my keen insights and dazzling intellect for the betterment of humankind?”
“More like being a pain in my ass,” Will muttered. “Did you get into Claire’s email?”
Finn gave him a wry look. “Please.Email at home, work, secret account used for corresponding with confidential sources . . . Want to know what she’s got on the secretary of the treasury?”
