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Isa breaks from the kiss and looks down at it. “It’s Rand.”

“Fuck Rand,” I say, pulling her to my face again.

“What if it’s your mother?” she asks against my mouth, and at the mere mention of the woman, everything inside of me deflates. With a groan, I swipe up the phone. “Yeah.” The irritation in my voice is both unmistakable and intentional.

“Forgive me, Master, but I just received a call from Dr. Voigt. He’s been trying to reach you in your office.”

“I’m not in my office.” As Isa slides back toward the console, I squeeze her thigh to keep her from moving off my lap.

“I realize that, Sir. Um, I didn’t know you’d planned to be out this afternoon.”

The aggravation is killing my libido by the second. “What is the nature of his call?”

“He asked that you make a trip up to the Institute this week. He apparently has some important matters to discuss with you.”

Important matters. I can’t think of a single thing he’d need to discuss that would warrant a trip to Vermont.

“Can you give me any hints?”

“I’m afraid he didn’t divulge any to me.”

Throwing my head back against the seat, I pinch the bridge of my nose to settle the urge to throttle something, as Isa climbs back over to her seat.

Like I have time for this shit.

Not going to Vermont means that Friedrich starts nosing around in my affairs again, though.

“Fine. I’ll fly out first thing tomorrow. Get it over with early in the week.”

“Very good. I’ll let him know. Again, my apologies for interrupting you, Sir. He seemed quite adamant that you make this trip.”

“I’m sure. Thanks.” I click out of the call and toss the phone onto the console, my mood officially soured. “Should’ve ignored it.”

“I’m sorry. I just thought--”

“It’s not your fault.” I lean to the side and seize her lips for another kiss, wanting nothing more than to pick up where we left off, but the frustration of having to play along with Friedrich to keep those bastards out of my hair is the equivalent of grinding my dick against a cheese grater.

Just not in the mood, all of a sudden.

Leaning back into my seat, I start up the engine and throw the car in drive.

The sooner I get home, the sooner I can take an ice cold shower.

Chapter 49

Isadora

Mondays have always been the dreaded first day of the week, but today is significantly less dreadful, in spite of the noises that kept me up again last night. At first, I thought it was Lucian, sneaking into my room, but when I flicked on the light, there was nothing there.

There’s something inside these walls, though. I can’t say what it is, as I’m always half asleep when I wake from it, but I feel it watching me.

I’ve never believed in ghosts, or the many myths that plague this island, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should.

I take the elevator up to Laura’s room, spinning the gorgeous bracelet over my wrist. No one has ever given me something so beautiful in my life, and I want to tuck it away so it doesn’t get lost, or broken, but I made a promise to Lucian that I wouldn’t take it off.

If Laura asks, I’ll just have to work up an excuse, like I found it in a McDonald's bathroom, and when I tried to return it, the owner told me to keep it. I chuckle to myself at the ridiculous story that, even in her mental state, she wouldn’t buy.

After Lucian and I returned from running errands yesterday, he decided he needed to get some work accomplished, and I haven’t seen him since.