Charlie grips my hand tightly, and I know my own anxiety is only making him more nervous but I just can’t help it. As Johnathan maneuvers the car through the hundreds of street lights that make up downtown, my heart races.

This is it, this is my chance to escape.

All I have to do when I step out of this car is scream my head off and make a huge scene. I’m sure most people will think I’m just some crazy lady at first, but surely someone will have to investigate… And when they do, when they find out who I am and who my father is, Johnathan won’t be able to keep me.

But what about Charlie?

I glance over at him and squeeze his hand back. He gives me a little smile and something inside me wants to crack.

When I eavesdropped on the story Johnathan was telling him, I overheard Charlie tell Johnathan his parents are dead. Does he have family out there? People who will love him and take care of him?

Or would he simply become another kid lost in the system?

Indecision and what-ifs plague me for the rest of the drive. I suppose I could try to plead with my father to let me keep Charlie, and he might even go for it if I spin it in a way that would politically make him look good… but I highly doubt it. My father has made it very clear he has plans for me. Plans that involve selling me off to the ally that will give his career the biggest boost.

Fuck. I just can’t win here. Everywhere I turn, someone wants to own me or sell me like I’m not a person. I’ve somehow become a thing.

A body without a mind or heart.

I let out a little breath and sag against the backseat.

If I manage to get away, I’m really only trading one prison for another.

I’m screwed no matter what I do.

Johnathan turns the car down a tight alley and then pulls into a private parking garage. We follow the winding, spiraling driveway up and up.

When we finally pull into a parking spot, my heart sinks even further. There are two men already waiting for us. Two imposing looking men dressed in dark suits.

I guess they’re taking no chances here. I don’t know what I was expecting… for Johnathan to let us out of the car in the heart of downtown in broad daylight where anybody could see me and recognize me? Yeah, right.

“I’ll get your door,” Johnathan rumbles, and our eyes meet for a split second in the rearview mirror before he steps out of the car.

The two men step up to him and they exchange quiet words. Nervously, I smooth down the hem of my dress as I watch them.

Though it does feel good to have proper clothing again, I can’t help but wonder where it came from. An entire wardrobe of designer clothing in my size was sent to Johnathan’s house this morning, along with toys and clothing for Charlie.

Obviously, there are forces at play here, bigger forces that I’m about to meet.

Johnathan cracks a smile at the two men and then the three of them come around the car to my side.

Johnathan opens my door and then reaches in, offering me a helping hand. As soon as I place my hand in his, his big fingers close around mine and pull me out.

Straightening beside Johnathan, I instantly feel the two men’s eyes on me, scrutinizing me and sizing me up.

Johnathan and I make quite the pair. He’s dressed in ripped jeans and a tight, faded black t-shirt that hugs all his muscles. I’m dressed in a black Chanel dress and Louboutin pumps.

I may be a little overdressed for the occasion, but I don’t want these guys to forget for a second where I come from.

Suddenly, the shorter of the two men lets out a low whistle between his teeth as he looks me up and down. “Trying to work your way up in the world, Johnathan?” he grins.

Johnathan’s grip on my hand tightens and his eyes narrow as he pulls me into his side. “Shut your mouth, James, before I shut it for you.”

James tips back his head and laughs. Obviously, not the least bit concerned about Johnathan’s threat.

“Never thought I’d see you, of all people, falling for such a…. expensive skirt,” he smirks.

Charlie slides out of the car and instantly latches onto my side. He eyes the two strange men in suits warily and we both jump a little when Johnathan slams the car door shut.

“Keep it up, numbskull,” Johnathan growls and cracks his neck. “I could go a few rounds.”

“Now, now,” James says as he holds his hands up in front of him in a sign of surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by it…”

Johnathan stares at James for a long time before he nods his head and starts to turn away.

But then James snickers. “It’s just that you’re always going on about how all women are leeches, and all they want is to get…”

For a moment, Johnathan’s face turns so red I’m afraid he’s about to bust all the blood vessels in his cheeks. But then he just chuckles and shakes his head, causing James to trail off.

“What’s so funny?” James asks as all the wind goes out of his sails.

“Go on, keep laughing at me, brother,” Johnathan says as he tugs Charlie and I along.

“Okay…” James drawls out as he follows behind us.

When we reach the elevator, Johnathan pushes a button and the doors immediately slide open for us. We step inside, and as we all turn, Johnathan and James come face to face.

“You’re next,” Johnathan smirks.

For a moment, there is only confusion in James’s eyes, but then I watch them fill up with a slow, dawning horror.

* * *

With everything going on, I know I should be nervous as hell over the interview about to take place, but with how much James sulks, coupled with the look of pure dejection on his face, I can’t help but feel my own smirk tugging at my lips.

I’m not quite sure what the secret joke here is, but it’s funny watching the big guy squirm beside me.

“Take it back,” James mutters, burning a hole into the back of Johnathan’s head with his glare.

Johnathan strokes his beard thoughtfully for a moment and then chuckles. “No.”

“Damn you, Johnathan. You of all people shouldn’t wish such a fate on someone…”

Johnathan’s arm tightens around me, pulling me closer. I feel his hand wander down, his palm molding around the curve of my waist. He gives a squeeze and then rumbles out appreciatively. “It’s growing on me.”

It as in me?

I tip my head back and give him my best glare, no longer amused by this little interaction.

Johnathan grins at me, his eyes gleaming. “It also has its perks.”

I try to pull out of his embrace, but his beefy arm only further tightens around me, trapping me against his side.

The elevator dings and the doors slide open.

Johnathan’s arm finally loosens and we step out first. As he begins to lead Charlie and I forward, I ‘accidentally’ misstep and end up slamming the heel of my pump down hard on his boot.

“Oops,” I blink innocently as he stumbles and curses.

Behind us, James bursts into laughter, and has to brush past us to exit the elevator. “Has it’s perks, huh?”

“Shut up,” Johnathan mutters as he shakes the pain out of his foot.

James shakes his head, still chuckling, until Johnathan so nicely reminds him, “Remember, you’re next, buddy.”

James reaches up and uses his middle finger to scratch the back of his head as he walks down the hallway.

Straightening, Johnathan puts his foot back down on the floor, stomps it a couple of times, and then stares me down. I return his stare and have to bite my lip to hold back my laughter.

He leans in close to whisper, “Tonight, you’re going to pay for that.”

“Pay for what?” I inquire innocently, looking up at him through my lashes.

Johnathan growls deep in his throat.

I smile sweetly, amused by his annoyance.

“Tonight,” he repeats as if reminding himself and starts to lead me down the hall.

I follow beside him, feeling pretty damn good about myself until we reach the office door.

Reality crashes back in and with it my best friend panic. I don’t know what’s about to happen. I don’t know why we’re really here, only that Johnathan’s boss wants to ask me some questions.

Johnathan pulls open the door and motions for Charlie and I to enter ahead of him. Lifting my chin into the air, I steel myself and brace myself for whatever is coming next.

Charlie and I step into a brightly lit, wide open reception area. The walls are a crisp, pristine white, but the long reception desk and the plush waiting chairs are all done in silver.

Above us, recessed lighting beams down on us from a white ceiling, and I have this wild thought that if heaven had a waiting room it would look just like this.

“This way,” Johnathan says and motions to the left.

There’s no receptionist behind the desk and no company logo displayed on the wall. I have no clue where we are, though I am somewhat familiar with the building. We’re in one of the many sky rises that houses a dozen or so of Garden City’s top financial companies. This office could very well be one of them.

The place is eerily silent, the only sounds the echoes of my heels tapping against the white marble floor and Johnathan stomping beside me.

Charlie squeezes my hand and I glance down at him. He’s looking around with wide, curious eyes.

“You’re doing so well,” I say softly, and feel like that’s an understatement. He’s been perfectly behaved this entire time. So behaved, I almost forgot he was with us.

He offers me a tentative smile and my chest tightens.

This kid, he’s going to have me wrapped around his little finger if I’m not careful.

We reach the end of the hall, and without a word, Johnathan pulls the last door open.

I shoot him an anxious look before stepping into a private office. Unlike the rest of the building, this room is done in darker, richer tones. The walls are a cool taupe, but all the furniture is made up of dark, expensive wood.

James and his companion stand off to the side, talking quietly among themselves, and standing in front of the desk is a man I don’t know. His suit is perfectly tailored to his tall frame, his hair is slicked back out of his face with not a strand out of place, and poised on the bridge of his nose is a pair of black designer glasses.

With a scowl, he checks the gold watch wrapped around his wrist.

“You’re late,” he says sharply.

Johnathan just shrugs his shoulders as if he doesn’t give a fuck. “We hit some traffic.”

Behind Johnathan, the door closes and the air thickens. I suddenly feel like I’m trapped in a room full of well-dressed giants.

Well, mostly well-dressed…

The scowling man’s face tightens and his lips pinch together in irritation. I get the impression he’s about to reprimand Johnathan, but then he shakes his head and sighs, probably thinking better of it.

Reaching up, he slides his glasses down and rubs the bridge of his nose for a moment. Pushing his glasses back into place, his sharp gaze slides to me.

He seems to stare right through me before nodding and saying politely, “Miss Norton.”

Normally, at this time, I’d expect him to step forward, hold out his hand and introduce himself, but he does neither of these things. A little caught off by the lack of proper etiquette, I choose to just nod my head back at him.

His eyes flick briefly towards Charlie and then right back to me, as if he’s dismissing him.

And that dismissal instantly pisses me off. Already, I don’t like this guy.

“You can call me Simon,” he says, finally offering his name.

Oh, can I? I think as press my teeth together and smile back at him.

“Are we ready to get this shit show started?” Johnathan asks, stomping forward.

“We’re just waiting on Andrew and Lucifer,” Simon says, and then the door to the office opens.

“Speak of the devil,” Johnathan mutters.

Everyone turns to face the newcomers.

“Gentlemen,” the most beautiful man I’ve ever laid eyes on grins as he steps into the room. “I’m sorry if we kept you waiting.”

I don’t mean to stare, I really don’t, but right now my eyes seem to have a will of their own. I just can’t bring myself to turn away. From his chiseled cheeks, to his piercing light-blue eyes, every feature demands to be noticed and admired for its beauty.

I’ve heard rumors of him, of a rich and powerful man so handsome he makes the very angels weep, but seeing is truly believing.

“Ah.” His eyes alight with… something. Something close to amusement or pleasure as they fall upon me. “This must be Miss Elizabeth Norton”

Johnathan clears his throat loudly and the sound breaks the spell I’m under. My cheeks burn with heat as I pick my jaw up from the floor and nod my head.

“It’s just Beth,” I croak, and instantly wish a hole would open up below me so I could fall into it and die.

Seriously, I’ve never been boy crazy or anything. Why is this handsome stranger having such an effect on me?

It’s kind of annoying and pissing me off.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Beth. My men call me Lucifer, but you may call me Matthew,” he smirks.

I nod, but he doesn’t look like a Matthew to me. No, he pretty much embodiments the name Lucifer.

Beautiful, dangerous, powerful.

Someone not to underestimate.

He turns those piercing eyes of his onto Charlie. “And this must be little Charlie.”

Charlie bobs his head up and down, and then I sense him taking a step back as Johnathan takes a protective step forward.

“We ready to do this?” Johnathan asks.

Lucifer’s smirk sharpens and his eyes glitter with amusement again as he looks at Johnathan. “Yes, Johnathan. By all means, let’s begin.”

Lucifer takes another step into the room and behind him walks in another man with a little boy.

The little boy steps up to stand beside Lucifer and he looks almost like a little replica of him. He’s dressed in a white dress shirt, black slacks, expensive black shoes, and his golden blonde hair has been brushed back.

The boy can’t be more than eight or nine, yet he carries himself in way that I’ve only seen in men much older.

“I think it would be in everyone’s best interest if the children were not present for the conversation about to take place. Charlie, would you like to go play in the next room with my son Adam?” Lucifer asks.

I glance down at Charlie. He peers at Adam with a mix of open curiosity and serious apprehension. Honestly, I can’t blame him. Adam doesn’t look like the kind of boy who likes to play.

Johnathan lays a reassuring hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Come on, I’ll walk you over.”

I force a happy smile for Charlie as Johnathan peels him away from me, not really giving the little guy a choice. A part of me wants to keep Charlie here with me, where I know I can protect him, but Lucifer is right.

The conversation we’re about to have is not one for little ears.

Charlie walks stiffly beside Johnathan and casts one last worried look at me over his shoulder before disappearing through the door.

My protective instincts are at odds. I want him with me, yet I also want him gone.

Hell, I’d happily go play in the next room myself if it was offered.

“Coffee?” Lucifer asks, drawing my attention back to his features.

I nod my head. “Yes, thank you.”

Lucifer motions to the chairs and I take the cue. Everyone starts to settle in. Simon comes forward to sit in the chair beside me. Lucifer takes his position behind the desk. James prepares my coffee and brings it over to me, while his companion remains oddly silent.

“Thank you,” I tell James, and take my first sip just as Johnathan returns.

Johnathan takes a long look around the room and comes to stand behind my chair instead of taking the open chair beside me.

He lays a protective hand on my shoulder and I’m instantly grateful. I know what they want to know and I’m not looking forward to reliving any of it.

“Miss Norton,” Lucifer starts, addressing me from behind his desk. “I know this must be difficult for you, but it would be immensely helpful if you could tell us the events that took place the night you were taken from Johnathan’s parking lot.”

I take another fortifying sip of my coffee and lift my eyes to meet his. The way he just so tactfully said that it was almost like he meant it… yet it’s not quite sincere enough for me to believe it.

All eyes are on me and I feel the pressure to start spitting out all the gory details.

But first, I just have to know, “Why?”

Lucifer blinks his eyes at me and leans back in his seat almost as if he’s surprised by my response.

But then a slow, charming smile curves along his lips. “Miss Norton, don’t doubt for a moment that we’re on the same team here. We both want the same thing—”

“I want justice,” I cut in, interrupting him.

Or do I want revenge? Either will do.

Johnathan squeezes my shoulder again, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s trying to reassure me or warn me, but I can’t stop now. Before I rip myself open again and bare myself to these men, men I don’t know but who obviously expended a lot of resources to rescue me, I need to know what they will do with what I give them.

“For Lindsey,” I add, my voice starting to crack.

Her face flashes in my mind, but I push it away.

I take a deep breath and steel myself. “For my friends and for myself.”

Lucifer doesn’t blink as his gaze hones in on me. Staring into his eyes, I watch them harden and then glitter with something dangerous.

For a split second, I’m almost afraid to ask, “Is that what you want?”

I have no doubt this time he’s being completely sincere when he leans forward and says almost eagerly, “We do.”