Second Demon

by Mary Abshire

  “I probably could, but there will be back up servers somewhere. It would take me time to research and find out where.”

  “How much time?”

  “At least five days. Possibly more than a week. And it would cost.”

  Emily stopped and faced Andrew. “We don’t have that kind of time. My whoring days need to end soon.”

  “That was not one of your brightest ideas.”

  “Yeah, well, I thought it might get us closer. It did and now I want to be one continent away.”

  “Oh for fuck’s sake, Em, just hire a hit man.”

  She’d considered the possibility a few days ago, but had ruled it out. “I’m guessing the cost would be high for a public figure. Then there’s always the risk he’ll get caught or talk one day. I don’t want to be blackmailed the rest of my life. Plus, I don’t think Andrew wants to bring anyone else to our party.”

  Andrew shook his head.

  “We need a way to kill him without someone seeing us,” she said as she scanned the area to make sure nobody was in hearing range. “We can’t just walk into his work or his condo, stab or shoot him, and expect to walk out without someone noticing we were the last ones with him.”

  “It sounds to me that you need a different type of weapon. Something silent and deadly without the risk of exposure,” Troy said.

  Emily hadn’t considered anything other than a gun or knife. The two weapons were the only ones she knew how to handle. But he had a good idea.

  “The body has to die quickly so Andrew can destroy the demon,” she said.

  “Have you considered using poison?” Troy asked.

  “Isn’t that detectable?”

  “Not if you use the right ones.”

  Hope sparked within her, but she still didn’t know enough to be certain poison could solve their problem.

  “Say we use the right kind… They’ll do a tox screen.”

  “Yes, but you’ll be long gone by the time the results come in. But for the sake of your argument, they need to trace the poison back to the source. If you put it in his drink or food, then make sure he consumes it all. Don’t leave any of it behind. Surely you can handle that.”

  “What about the chemicals in the poison?”

  “Most of the poisons are composed of plants or animals of some kind. You don’t need to fucking worry about any tox screen.”

  “But how long would it take to act?” she asked.

  “Well that depends, but there are some that are quick.”

  “Days or hours?”

  “Minutes, dear.”

  Her eyes widened and she smiled at Andrew. Troy’s idea sounded perfect. Although they still had to work out details on how to administer the poison, at least they had a plan that would work.

  “How much does the right kind cost?” she asked.

  “It won’t break your bank. A couple hundred dollars. You won’t need much,” Troy said.

  “Can you—”

  “Who do you think you are talking to?” he asked in an almost parental type of tone.

  “I need it yesterday,” she said.

  “I’ll call you later with more information.”

  “You are truly the best. Numero uno forever.”

  “I’m touched.”

  “Call me later.”

  Joy blossomed within her as she lowered the phone. An untraceable poison that could kill within minutes was exactly the type of weapon they needed. Troy’s ability to think outside the box far exceeded hers. He was a genius and she was lucky to have him as a friend.

  “What did he suggest?” Andrew asked.

  She curled her arm around his. “We have another option. Let’s head back and I’ll explain.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Andrew asked, sitting in the blue lawn chair.

  He twirled the cell phone over his knee while he waited for Emily to come out of the bathroom. She’d decided to change her outfit for the third time. The first one showed too much cleavage. The second dress barely reached her mid thigh. He didn’t mind seeing her in the garments, but he’d thought they had exposed too much and had told her so. The dresses would’ve advertised her profession if that was what she wanted to do. Although she wanted to promote her role, she didn’t want to over-stimulate men, which would lead to groping and touching. She’d grabbed another garment and then had shut herself inside the bathroom.

  The door swung open. Emily emerged wearing a short-sleeved, blue floral Asian gown. The form-fitting dress revealed all her lovely curves and stopped an inch above her knees. She’d added a light touch of makeup to bring out the color in her eyes.

  “How does this one look?” she asked as she slowly swirled around.

  The outfit had a circular cut out in the back.

  “I like it,” Andrew said. “It looks elegant.”

  “I feel like my boobs are larger in this outfit, but at least all my girly bits are covered.”

  Andrew agreed with a grin and a twitch of his cock, which he wouldn’t mention. He stood so his black shirt would cover his jeans if his erection grew too much. She looked beautiful. His fingers longed to touch her exposed backside.

  “The dress looks good on you. I like it,” he said. “But if you’d rather stay here—”

  “No, we should go. Troy said it would take him a day to get the poison and then another day if he sends it overnight to us. We need to maintain our roles so we can figure out a way to administer the toxin to him once we have it.”

  Troy had impressed Andrew with his idea to use poison to kill the lawyer. Andrew liked the plan much better since it involved less risk for Emily. After she’d told him what the demon had said, Andrew had fought the urge to go back to the demon’s office and stab him. The demon used and abused women in the worst way. Andrew didn’t want Emily going near the demon alone anymore if she could help it.

  “Okay, but don’t feel obligated to stay long. If you want to leave, then you have that option,” Andrew said.

  She walked up to him and stopped. “I really appreciate how you’ve been … more trusting of me.”

  Her closeness made it easy for him to take her into his arms and kiss her. The temptation overwhelmed him, but he knew if he did, all bets would be off. She’d shove him out the door in a heartbeat. He had to learn to control his emotions.

  “I care about you and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you working with me,” he said, earning a smile from her.

  She put her hands on her hips. “Okay, partner. Ready to hit the club?”

  “Sure.” He slipped his phone under his shirt and into a front pocket.

  She strode past him to her inflatable bed. The garment fit so snugly she had to keep her legs together and back straight as she lowered to retrieve her purse. She probably could’ve dropped to her knees. It would’ve been quicker, but getting up would’ve been her next challenge.

  Within minutes they were out the door and on the subway. Since they’d left later than the previous nights, Andrew wondered how long they’d have to wait in line at the club. Not that he minded having to stand next to her for an extended period of time. No, he looked forward to it.

  “We should probably check to see if Michael shows up,” Emily said, sitting across from him with her legs crossed as they rode the train. “If he does, we can find out what kind of drinks he orders.”

  Andrew moved to the seat next to her. He leaned until he bumped her shoulder. “We shouldn’t try to do anything while he’s at the club. I think it would be nearly impossible to slip anything into his drink with all his friends and staff watching. And even if we did, I can’t touch the demon in front of all those people. It would create a panic if they saw it.” He couldn’t be sure everyone could see the demon, but since Emily had in Pittsburgh, he had to assume others would be able to as well.

  “The best place to get to him would be his office. I don’t want to do anything at his condo. If I even mention meeting him at his home, he’ll
think it’s for sex. I want to avoid any insinuation.” She sighed heavily. “But if we absolutely have to go to his condo, then I want to be in and out quickly.”

  Andrew disliked the idea of her going to his home too. “If you ask to meet with him in his office, he could still think you want to have sex with him.”

  “Yeah, but at least there isn’t a bed in his office.”

  But there was the large leather sofa he could use for naughty purposes. Andrew didn’t bother to bring it up.

  “I think I should be with you,” Andrew said. “Set up a lunch date at his office and distract him while I slip the stuff into his drink. Then he keels over and I touch the demon.”

  “That would work.”

  “It’s a good plan. You could say you want to negotiate the terms of your pay. That should get him interested.”

  “I can’t negotiate anything since I don’t have a bargaining chip. Right now, he’s got the power because I’m a criminal. He doesn’t need me, but he thinks I need him.”

  Andrew hadn’t given it much thought, but she had a point. She’d have to come up with another story to motivate the demon to have lunch with her.

  “Let’s just have a good time tonight. It will make up for last night. We’ll put on the pimp and hooker show, but still have some fun,” she said.

  “Will this show be televised later?” he asked.

  “I hope not.”

  They left one train and boarded another. The subway seemed more crowded compared to the previous two nights. Emily chose to stand and hold onto a pole instead of sitting. Andrew stayed by her. Many turned their gazes her way and he glared at all the male ones.

  By the time they reached the club, the line had wrapped around the corner and down the alley. Emily complained, but Andrew welcomed the time alone with her. They were approaching the club and about to turn the corner to get in line when the bouncer pointed at them. They both paused on the sidewalk. The bouncer waved his hand, signaling for her to move forward.

  “Did he point at us?” Emily asked.

  “Only one way to find out.”

  They passed the people in line and continued to the entrance. One of the ladies made a vulgar comment toward Andrew after he walked by. Emily grinned, but said nothing.

  “Did you point at me?” Emily asked the bouncer at the entrance.

  “Are you Carrie Reynolds?”

  “Yeah. Why?”

  “You can go in,” the bouncer said.

  She looked at Andrew as if she expected him to have the answers of the universe for her.

  “Someone likes you,” Andrew said.

  “He’s with me,” she told the bouncer before she headed for the doors.

  Andrew followed her into the loud club, but kept a distance from her. They hadn’t talked about how close he should stay. To avoid any issue, he remained several feet away. If she wanted him nearby, he figured she would invite him. He gave her full control and followed her rules, even if he didn’t like them.

  Emily headed straight for the bar in the center of the main floor. As usual, men and women crowded around it. In passing, she found a couple leaving with drinks in hand. She hurried to fill the spot they’d vacated.

  Andrew kept close watch of her. When she twisted around and scanned the area, he wondered who she was looking for. Attention directed at him, she gestured for him to join her. He darted toward her. By the time he reached her side, she’d already ordered drinks.

  “I got us two shots to start,” she said as she withdrew cash from her purse. “I want you to stay nearby tonight.”

  He looked away, trying to contain his excitement. “I think I can do that.”

  The bartender gave her change before he set four glasses on the counter.

  “You think you can? What, are you meeting some ladies to dance with?” she asked

  “Well, I do have a business to monitor.”

  “I thought I was your business.”

  “I’m expanding.”

  One of her brows shot up. “Oh really?”

  The server filled the shots before he moved to the next customer. How the bartenders managed to keep up with so many requests amazed Andrew.

  Emily lifted a glass. “To the business. May it be fruitful. On second thought, I hope it’s not. At least not for me.”

  He tapped her drink with his. “I’ll second that.” He tossed the liquor into his mouth while she did the same. The alcohol burned his throat and warmed him as it slid down his esophagus.

  Emily squeezed her eyes together briefly and twisted her head. “Whoa, that’s strong.”

  He took another shot and proposed a toast. “To a long-lasting partnership.”

  “I like it.” She clanked her glass to his before she gulped the liquor.

  After he downed his shot, he smacked it on the counter.

  She wedged her arm underneath his and curled it around his elbow. “Let’s go.”

  The loud music pulsed through him and fueled his heart as he reached the dance floor. Emily slipped her arm away from him as they disappeared into the crowd. Though her touch was short, he’d enjoyed it and wanted more. He followed her through the mobile bodies until she stopped. She faced him and then began swinging her hips from left to right. Damn, she could move better than a stripper on a stage. He could never tire of watching her dance.

  They grooved together through several songs until a young woman snuck in front of Andrew. He kept his eyes on Emily while other men approached her. When they started placing their hands on her body, he worked his way back to her. She took to dancing with him and forgot about the ones looking for her attention. She moved closer until she was almost brushing against him. He wanted to touch her, to feel her movements and energy, but fear restrained him.

  She stayed near him through several more tunes. Perspiration had formed on his head and back of his neck. When she’d spun and placed her back in front of him, he struggled to keep his hands to himself. His cock stiffened, wanting to get closer to her. She was beauty, life, and power. She was giving him a painful hard-on.

  The song mixed into another. Bodies were jumping, bumping, and grinding. Facing him, Emily reached up to the back of his neck and tugged him toward her.

  “Let’s get some drinks,” she yelled near his ear.

  He nodded and let her lead the way through the active crowd. They came out on the side and walked along the edge of the dance floor. He stared at her ass as she strode to the bar. Dim lighting hindered his sight, but he continued to search for a panty line. When he couldn’t locate one, he presumed she wore another pair of string underwear.

  She found an opening at the end of one of the bar sides. The nearest server stood at least seven customers away.

  “I am burning up,” she said as she unzipped her purse.

  He wiped his forehead with his arm. “Your admirers like to raise the heat.”

  “Is that it?”

  “Should I start taking names and numbers? I think you could easily leave here with a dozen men wanting to pay for your services.”

  She chuckled as the bartender headed their way. “A working girl never stops working and neither does her partner.”

  “What can I get for you?” the server asked.

  “Four shots please,” she said as she slid her money to him. After he took her money, she shifted her attention to Andrew. “Think you can handle your job inebriated?”

  Standing beside her, he leaned one arm on the counter. “I can handle my job at any time. That’s what I do.”

  The bartender filled the order and then left change on the bar.

  Emily picked up a glass. “You are good at your job, but I can’t help wondering if you’d also make a good male prostitute. I think you could get two dozen names before the end of the night.”

  He grinned as he took one of the shots. “I think you’re on to something. A shame we didn’t think of this sooner. To us.” He clanked his drink with hers.

  She winced after she swallowed.
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br />   “Would you be my business partner if I were a working man?” Andrew asked as he reached for shot number two.

  “Oh yeah, and I’d make sure everyone paid or I’d slap the shit out of them.” She held her drink up. “To male prostitution.”

  He chuckled at the thought because he could envision it so well. He doubted she would let anyone get by with a freebie. He tapped her glass. “I’ll support it.”

  The alcohol had already started to affect him before he’d gulped the last shot. His mind felt fuzzy and his temperature had increased. Emily had to be feeling a good buzz since her body mass was less than his. He’d have to pay closer attention to her to make sure she didn’t invite trouble.

  “You know, you’d make a killing as a man whore,” she said.

  “Are you pimping me out?” He gave her a twisted grin.

  “I can if you want. There are plenty of women here who would pay top dollar for you.”

  “And what would be your fee?”

  “Me?”

  He nodded. “Business partners have to get something too.”

  “Hmm…” She lowered her gaze, no doubt considering her response.

  “You could get me,” he offered. “I’d have to earn my keep in a manner of speaking.”

  “Payment in form of sex? Not a bad idea. But I don’t know…” She shook her head and looked away.

  “How could that not be good enough? Trust me, I’d make sure the boss was happy.”

  Her laugh made him smile. “I believe that,” she said.

  “For me, it’s not about the money. It’s about pleasing the boss.” And he wanted to, badly, as he stared into her inviting eyes.

  “Well, that’s good to know. You’ll have to work hard in this business to please the boss.”

  “I’m up for the job.” If she pressed against him, she’d discover how up he was.

  “Oh really?” She put his hand on his chest and gently nudged him. “How about you show me some moves first? Then, maybe I’ll think about giving you a job.”

  “You’re the boss,” he said as he backed up.

  He took her hand into his and led her through the sea of bodies. His heart thumped fast while his mind swirled from the alcohol. His cock strained in his jeans. Although he had a slight buzz, he was very aware of the woman in his grasp and the power she held. He wanted to please her, to show her his strength, to make her yearn and quake for him. But he knew better than to overstep his boundaries. The priority was to have fun, so he’d make sure she would enjoy the night.