“The Abernathy award ceremony is a week from Thursday. The coordinator called this morning to confirm you’re bringing a guest. Is that right?”

The question shouldn’t have caught him off guard. He had known about the event for months. The Abernathy Humanitarian Award was a prestigious honor. Even though he didn’t seek the limelight and being rewarded for doing the right thing never really set well with him, he understood its importance. Garnering both publicity and additional funds for the Grey Justice Victims Advocacy Foundation was an important part of his everyday job. Just because he didn’t like it didn’t mean he wouldn’t do it.

A few weeks ago, he had carelessly told Molly Evans, his executive assistant, he would bring a date to the event. Had he secretly thought that Irelyn would be back home by now? He rarely did anything without knowing why, so he wouldn’t lie to himself now. Yes, he had expected she would be back home. He had hoped their meeting in Dublin last week would result in a reconciliation. Instead, it had split them even further apart.

“Grey? Is that right? You’re bringing a guest?”

“No. Let her know I’ll be solo.”

Not by a molecule of movement did Molly indicate that she was disappointed in his answer. He felt her disapproval all the same. She wouldn’t be the only person who blamed him for his and Irelyn’s separation. Hell, he blamed himself, too. He’d handled things poorly. Instead of talking to her, trying to reason with her, figure out just what the hell she was up to, he’d stormed out of the restaurant like an arrogant ass. He should have stayed. Should have demanded answers. Irelyn always had reasons for what she did. Dammit, he should have found out what they were.

And why hadn’t he at least warned her to be careful? At some point, she would face retribution. His heart skipped a long beat. Was that it? Was she trying to get herself killed? No, that wasn’t it. Irelyn was too strong, too grounded to want to take the easy way out. There had to be something he was missing.

“Grey?”

“Yes?”

“She’s never coming back, is she?”

Irelyn had made an impression on every one of his employees. She was both respected and revered. He doubted that she had seen that, though. Irelyn rarely went out of her way to impress anyone unless the act was part of the job. One of the many things he appreciated about her was her lack of artifice. Considering her beginning, or maybe because of it, she had a strong work ethic and a strict code of honor. Those two qualities hadn’t always made her popular, but being liked had never been Irelyn’s goal.

Aware that Molly was waiting for an answer, Grey gave her the only one he could, vague though it was. “She’s still got some things to sort out.”

Molly nodded and went on to discuss the rest of this week’s agenda. Grey listened, offering commentary when necessary, but his mind continued to review his last conversation with Irelyn. He should have asked more direct questions. Instead of pursuing the truth, he’d walked away.

In their years together, they’d hurt each other as much as two people could, but they had always made their way back to one another. This time was different, and he should have stuck around to find out why.

Gathering her notes and tablet, Molly stood and headed to the door. “I’ll make the changes to your itinerary and send them to you for approval.”

“Thank you.”

She stopped midway and sent him a bright look. “I could call one of the modeling agencies to see if anyone is available.”

It wouldn’t be the first time Grey had escorted a stranger to an event. Up-and-coming actresses and models were always a safe bet. They appreciated the exposure, and he preferred an easygoing companion who had no illusions about a relationship.

“Stop trying to matchmake, Molly.” He smiled to take the sting out of his words. As much as Molly wanted Irelyn to return, her primary goal was taking care of Grey, which lately had included matchmaking attempts. “Besides, going stag every once in a while is good for business. Keeps everyone guessing.”

She gave him a quick smile before she walked out. The instant the door clicked shut, all humor left his face.

Swinging his chair around, he stared out at the massive city with its spiraling high-rises and mammoth buildings. He and Irelyn had come to Dallas with myriad dreams. Through hard work, perseverance, and the belief that what they were doing was right, they had succeeded. Even though their relationship had often been fraught with disagreements, their shared goals and incredible passion for one another had seen them through tough times.

Had she really decided to end them, or was something bigger going on? Dammit, why hadn’t he ignored his bruised feelings and hurt pride and dug deeper? What was Irelyn really up to?

* * *

Irelyn parked in the area designated for visitors, but waited a moment before she exited the car. She had thought she was prepared, but the moment she’d driven through the familiar gates, a wild panic had surged through her bloodstream. One last and fierce lecture was needed before she walked through those doors again.

She noted that the place hadn’t changed much, but she wasn’t surprised. The new proprietor would want to follow in his mentor’s footsteps.

The mansion had been aptly christened Hill House by its previous owner, Hill Reed. A gargantuan structure of brick, rock, and wood, built in the early twentieth century, the place had had a sad history long before Reed set his sights upon it.

A railroad baron from Nevada, newly married and with more money than he knew what to do with, had wanted to please his young English wife, so he’d commissioned the building of a massive home for her. Sadly, and Irelyn had always thought it to be a portent of what the house would eventually be, the baron and his wife never spent a night here. The ship carrying them to England had encountered a storm and sank. They had both perished.

The house had sat empty for years. When it had finally gone on the auction block, Reed had purchased it and the surrounding ten acres and turned it into a house of horrors.

Her return seemed almost inevitable. This place and what it stood for had profoundly affected her life. Returning to the scene of the crime was a fitting bookend. This had been her alpha and omega, her beginning and end.

She was here for two specific reasons. Irelyn didn’t need to remind herself that staying alive was an important aspect of achieving both. She was going to have to act her ass off to get the job done.

Memories had to be put aside. All the hurt, anger, pain, and yes, even the joy, had to be dead before she walked through those doors. She had an agenda; she had goals. Those were the only things she needed to focus on.

Her mind, body, and heart once again in accord, Irelyn got out of the car. All emotions squelched, she looked up at the large structure with cool dispassion. At one time, she had believed it to be the most grand and beautiful place in the world. Now, she could see the flaws, the crumbling decay. Hill House would have been perfect as a mausoleum, or perhaps as a horror-movie setting.

Though it was still known as Hill House, the new owner had made some subtle changes. A new coat of paint here and there, new shutters on the third-floor windows. Nothing major, but enough to show that the murder house was alive and back in business.

With three full stories of red and brown brick, the mansion covered almost an entire acre. There were areas in the back where outdoor training took place, along with a large gun range. The majority of training took place within the walls, inside rooms where secrets were kept and a dark entity of evil coated the very air.

Located between two small villages about a hundred miles outside of York, the area surrounding Hill House was desolate and barren. It was the perfect location for evil to live and thrive, to replicate and destroy.

How fitting was it that one of its own would see to its destruction?

She walked up onto the porch, and the front door opened like magic. The man standing before her was a surprise. She hadn’t expected Sebastian Dark to greet her personally. Before she could decide if that was a good or a bad thing, he held out his hand in a friendly, professional gesture. “It’s good to see you, Irelyn. It’s been too long.”

To hear those words from him, the exact ones that Grey had greeted her with last week, was a bit of a jar. This man and Grey Justice had zero in common.

“I had hoped to be back sooner.”

“Father would be pleased to know you’ve come back to us. Please, come in.”

She took an inner bracing breath and walked into the hellhole she’d once called home.

Sitting at his desk, Sebastian examined the woman across from him. She was stunning, even more beautiful than he remembered. He hadn’t seen her in person in years. She had changed significantly, but even back then, the beauty she would become had been apparent. She had definitely lived up to her potential, at least in that area.

He could definitely understand Hill Reed’s obsession and why he had been unable to let her go completely. His fascination had been so great that he had even tried to re-create her in another woman. Sadly, Hill had learned that a replica could not replace the original. Ivy Roane had never lived up to expectations. If she had not gotten herself killed a few months back, Sebastian would have cut her loose or had her eliminated. She had once been a competent killer, but had allowed personal feelings to get in the way of doing her job. She’d become unhinged. Allowing emotions to infiltrate a job was the downfall of any hired killer. And that was why Ivy Roane was dead.

Another example of wrong-headed sentimentality was the woman in front of him. Hill Reed had possessed little softness. He had killed with admirable efficiency, trained with coldhearted focus, and manipulated with razor-sharp accuracy. He had been a master, one in a million. But this one woman had touched something inside Reed, where no one else ever had. Even after she’d gone off on her own, Hill had followed her progress.

Sebastian understood, to some extent, the obsession. With unparalleled beauty, she called to mind fairy-tale princesses. Her black designer dress gave nothing away, but hinted at the sleek, soft loveliness beneath the material. With flawless skin that glowed, ink-black hair so silky-looking it seemed almost unnatural, and eyes the color of a clear gray mist, her allure was understated, stunning in its simplicity.

She seemed remarkably unimpressed with her own appeal. Irelyn Raine knew who she was and what she wanted from life. As much as Sebastian despised her, he could definitely see why Reed had been so fascinated.

He was a little surprised to find himself attracted to her. He had a low libido and often went months without sexual release. Sex was a weakness—a weapon that could be used against you. When he did have the urge, he paid for the experience. Though he’d gladly offer to pay this woman for the use of her lovely body, he knew he’d end up with a bullet in his gut if he made the suggestion.

Hill had died almost two years ago without naming a successor. Sebastian believed he was the natural heir, but not everyone had agreed. The competition had been fierce and brutal, but he had won. During that time of uncertainty, many members had left, and Hill House had suffered greatly. Restoring it to its former glory and strength would take time and skill. Like any good assassin, Sebastian was a patient, methodical man. He had plans in place to make that happen.

It was time to fill the vacancies. And Irelyn Raine had made it more than apparent that she wanted to be one of his new hires.

“You have intrigued me with your escapades the last few months.”

“That was my intent.”

“Why?”

She arched a lovely brow but remained silent. Her self-control and poise impressed him.

“I was a little surprised to receive an acceptance to my invitation,” he said.

“I find that hard to believe as I sent you numerous enticements.”

The first email he had received had been a bit of a shock. The subsequent ones had been both illuminating and entertaining. Irelyn Raine was a skilled and inventive assassin.

“I’m interested as to how you chose your prey and why. Care to enlighten me?”

“I would think that’s obvious. Killing an unsuspecting, untrained person is boringly easy. Taking out skilled killers requires extreme talent. I wanted to impress you, and I did.”

“Why? You have no need for money.”

“Nor do you, and yet here you are.”

“Touché.” He leaned forward and spoke softly. “But, you see, I don’t have to explain why I’m here. You, however, are interviewing for a position within my house. You are required to answer the question.”

“Of course.” She shrugged. “I enjoy the work.”

“You enjoy taking people’s lives?”

“Some people’s, yes. But what I enjoy the most is the chase.”

It was a typical answer, and he found himself a bit disappointed. He had expected something less mundane. The woman was difficult to read—one of the many things she had learned from Reed.

“You already have an interesting life. You’ve attached yourself to a man who can give you anything. What more could you want?”

Not by any flicker did she indicate she knew of whom he spoke.

“This is the life I am meant to have. It’s what Father wanted for me.”

Though it jarred a bit to hear her refer to Reed as her father, he reminded himself that they were both playing a game. Irelyn Raine was not only a skilled killer, she was a gifted player.

“Yet, if my memory serves me correctly, you weren’t very good.”

“I believe I’ve demonstrated how much I’ve improved. Besides, you know our father never was one for compliments.”

So she would play that card as well. That was good. He had quite a few cards himself to play.

“You do have a particular set of skills I could use.”

“Such as?”

“We’ll get into that after you’ve proved your proficiency.”

“I haven’t done so already?”

“No.”

“What skills do you want me to show? And how am I to do this if I don’t know what you’re looking for?”

“You’ll know, don’t worry about that. My biggest drawback is in the area that concerned Hill, too.”

“I’ve improved.”

He liked that she didn’t deny that there had been problems. “In what way have you improved?”

“In every way that counts.”

“Be specific,” he snapped.

“Very well. I don’t allow emotions to get the best of me. Back then, I was a bit, shall we say, volatile. Father worked hard to rid me of useless sentiment. It finally took.”

“That’s good to hear. And you are willing to prove yourself again?”

“Of course.”

“I won’t be easy on you…not like he was.”

By not even the slightest facial twitch did she reveal that she took exception to his statement. Sebastian knew what she had endured. Hell, he’d gone through most of it, too. All the training and discipline had been meticulously documented. Reed had been a stickler for detail. Everything, including the final day of her time here, had been recorded.

He had found the recordings when he had taken over Hill House and had been surprised not only by their sheer volume, but also the fastidious manner with which Hill had them stored. There was no doubt they were treasured memories. Then he’d realized it made sense. Reliving those moments had been an indulgence. Their father had rarely taken any time for himself. Recording his training methods had most likely been one of his few entertainments.

“Why didn’t you return whilst Father was still alive?”

“I was more useful to him where I was.”

“Then why come back here? You could be beneficial to me as well where you were. Or you could be independent. Sell your skills to the highest bidder, keep all the money for yourself.”

“My ties with Justice have been severed. We were beginning to bore one another. And the answer to the question of why I want to come back here is simple. I like the community.”

Interesting that she had admitted breaking away from Justice. His intel had told him so, but he hadn’t been sure. He would want, at some point, to revisit the reason behind that, but first things first.

“Provided you pass the fitness and skill tests, I’ll take you on a probationary basis.”

“How long?”

“Until I’m satisfied.”

“I can give you a month.”

For several long seconds, he held her gaze. She never blinked, and her expression never changed. She was quite determined, but so was he.

He would give her this concession, but only because it suited him. “We’ll meet again in a month. If, after that time, I’m satisfied, we’ll negotiate terms.”

“Very well.” She stood and waited for further instruction.

“You’re staying at the Savoy?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll send over details for your testing.”

“I had thought to stay here.”

“Not yet.”

She gave a solemn nod and walked out the door. He was once again struck by her beauty. She could have been anything—actress, model, and possibly the wife of one of the wealthiest men in the world. Instead, for reasons he wasn’t completely sure of yet, the sinfully beautiful and multitalented Irelyn Raine had just agreed to be his newest assassin.

He leaned back in his chair, propped his feet on his desk, and smiled. The game had only begun.

* * *

Aware that eyes were on her every movement, Irelyn walked out of the house with cool, confident elegance. Anyone looking would see a self-assured woman. One who could charm you with a smile one moment and slice your throat the next.

She was on the first floor, and while every room she passed held memories, none of them was of the dark, bitter variety. The third floor was where her horror lay. The one where punishments were meted out and certain kinds of training took place. Evil permeated the entire house, but the third floor would take every bit of her courage to breach. She had no choice. That floor held the key to everything.

She concentrated on what she had accomplished. Sebastian Dark had taken the bait. She had been sure he would, but it was nice to have that part out of the way. Proving herself was worrying, as she didn’t know what the tests would entail. She had hoped the photographs she had sent would have been enough. What she’d said was true. Killing an innocent, unaware person was an easy feat. Taking out an assassin required an enormous amount of both skill and fortitude. Why, then, did she have to prove herself even more?

She should have known he’d want to play this game out. He was the new leader and was enjoying his moment of power.

The skill testing didn’t concern her. Not only did she have the same ones from years ago, but they were much sharper now. Plus, she had several other talents. One in particular she wouldn’t reveal until the right time and place.

Would he test her with a target to take out, or simply give her tasks to complete? She hoped it was the latter. If not, she would have to improvise and delay.

She’d remembered Sebastian Dark, but he looked nothing like her memories. Back then, he’d been known simply as Pippin, a short, skinny boy with bad acne, protruding teeth, and a weak chin. Sebastian Dark today was a tall, well-built man with perfect teeth and a flawless complexion. Even the chin had improved, though she suspected cosmetic surgery for that.

In some circles, Dark would be considered quite handsome. To Irelyn, he was nothing more than a means to an end.

The giant estate now in her rearview mirror, she drove down the long, tree-lined drive with a mixture of both elation and dread. From here, the mansion looked like just a mass of stone and brick, mortar and paint. But to her, it was so much more. This was the place that held some of her happiest moments as well as most of her nightmares. The place where she’d first learned about love and had become acquainted with pure evil.

There, she had learned that love could be twisted and wrong, manipulated. That it could be used to build up or destroy. Years had passed before the agony of those lessons had dimmed. Though she had replaced that darkness with light, there would be more than physical danger in returning to Hill House. Immersing herself in that darkness again would likely destroy the peace she had fought for so hard. To accomplish her goal, she had little choice.

Grey would be furious once he found out. She hadn’t dared tell him. If she had, there would have been no stopping him from interfering. This was her battle to fight, her war to wage. Not his. Besides, there was always the worry that he could get hurt. When it came to protecting those he cared about, Grey Justice had no limits.

Ending their relationship might have torn her heart out of her chest, but anything bad happening to Grey would be a billion times worse. She had caused him unfathomable pain already. She would not be responsible for more.

This was her task to handle. One that Grey could never know about. At least until it was too late to stop her.