Jean-Luc swallowed his food and washed it down with his drink. He shuddered from the combination of the taste. Usually, he loved the mingling flavour of perfectly charred meat and the hard liquor. Now, it almost made him gag. Jean-Luc cringed and pushed his plate away. He schooled his face to a blank under Adrian’s curious stare. The Reaper had a knack of guessing people’s thoughts.
“So.” Jean-Luc cleared his throat. “You busy lately?”
Adrian shrugged. “Usual gig. Same shit different day. I’ll have a big reap this afternoon. Twenty-car pileup on I-90. Seventeen souls. Want to tag along?”
“Your job’s depressing.”
“And yours isn’t?”
“Mine doesn’t involve reaping children’s souls.”
“Hey.” Adrian lifted his hands. “It’s a dirty job. But somebody has got to do it.”
“Sure. I’ve got to go.” Jean-Luc rose from his seat and fished into his pocket for coins.
“Where are you going?”
“Taking your advice. Hiding under the floorboard so Lilith and Jezebel can’t find me.” Jean-Luc wondered what Maddie would be doing right now. He had lifted the protection spell on her shortly before he’d left her apartment. He’d wanted her to cave in and agree to make a pact with him. Now it seemed to be a very bad idea. He should have waited until this shit storm had blown over.
Jean-Luc decided to see Maddie and place the protection back on her. There’d be plenty of time to woo her later. Problem was, each time he saw her, his cock did the thinking for him. That woman was indelibly irresistible. If he hadn’t heeded his own common sense earlier, he’d have taken her in that very bed. His cock was still stiff from their encounter. Luckily, he was able to control his lust.
“And whose floorboard do you intend to hide under?” Adrian asked.
“Not telling. You won’t be able to lie if Jezebel catches you.”
Adrian made a face. “I heard she’s a goddess bitch.”
“Buddy, you don’t know the half of it.”
* * * *
“I thought you’d changed your mind,” Jerry said.
Her new boss watched her shake off the dripping water from her umbrella. Maddie grimaced. “Fat chance. I really need this job.”
“Well, let’s get started. We just got merchandise that needs to be inventoried and entered into the system. When you’ve got that done, I’ll teach you to tend the cash register.”
“Okay.”
“You know how a cash register works?”
“Sure, I worked at a 7-Eleven before.”
“Good. Come with me, then.”
Jerry led her into the back of the store and up a narrow stairway. He kept his stock on the second floor. The place was a mess. Boxes were stacked haphazardly. The tall racks along the walls were stuffed with DVDs, magazines, books, and novelty items, to the point that they were ready to burst onto the floor.
Maddie widened her eyes. A spider web dangled from her forehead. “Whoa.” She ducked under it.
“I know. You got your work cut out for you. My last worker was a good-for-nothing lazy ass.” Jerry pulled a big box containing adult DVDs with vulgar and garish covers out of the way and stepped into the crammed room. “Tell you what. You clean this place and I’ll bump up fifty bucks on this week’s paycheque.”
“Fifty bucks?”
“Sixty. No more. We’re kinda tight on cash.”
That money could buy her groceries for a week. Maddie shrugged nonchalantly, trying not to look too desperate for money. “Sixty is fine.”
“Good.” Jerry gestured at an old computer perched on a battered desk. “Know how to use that one?”
“I’m computer literate.”
A grin flashed on her new boss’ face. “Thought I’d read you worked as accounts payable or something, on your résumé.”
“Claim adjuster,” she corrected.
“Oh.” Jerry scratched his head. “I need you to inventory everything in here onto the computer. Need to keep track of what we have.”
“What kind of programme do you use?”
“Lotus, I think.”
“Lame.” Maddie cleared a stack of magazines from the chair and sat on it. She turned the computer on. The out-dated machine groaned into life. The screen flickered morosely. This thing was as old as dinosaurs. “Don’t you have a retail inventory programme or something?”
“Like what?”
“Never mind. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Guess I’ll let you get started, then. You can stay until nine if you want. I’m closing the shop late today. Got stuff to do.”
“Cool.” More hours meant more money. “It’s going to take me a while to clean all of this.”
“I’d imagine.” Jerry turned to leave. “Let me know if you need anything. There’s a coffee machine in my office, and the restroom is downstairs. You need the key from me, though. Only temporarily, until I make duplicates for you.”
“Okay.” Maddie scanned the room, feeling a bit overwhelmed as she heard Jerry’s heavy steps on the stairs. This job would take her forever to do. On second thoughts, it might not be a bad thing. She could milk for more hours and bring home extra money. God. She really needed the cash. If she didn’t get evicted by the end of this month, it would be a miracle.
She got up from the chair to open the window. The air in the room was stale. Cool air breezed past her after she managed to force the stubborn latches open. Outside it was raining again. The sky was dull and gloomy. Sighing heavily, Maddie rolled up her sleeves and started work.
Two hours later, it seemed she hadn’t made a dent on the cleaning part. There was just simply too much stuff to organise. And most of it looked like junk. Why didn’t Jerry have a sidewalk sale and be done with it? Most of the merchandise didn’t seem able to fetch big dollars anyway.
Maddie decided to stop cleaning and grabbed some DVDs to inventory. She waited impatiently as Jerry’s old computer struggled to load the Lotus programme. She narrowed her eyes. Whoever had made the spreadsheet didn’t know what he was doing. She ended up creating a new worksheet and starting from scratch. Just when she was about to type her first entry, the computer sputtered and died.
“Come on!” Maddie hit the keyboard. “Don’t do this to me.”
The computer stayed dead.
“Ugh!” She stomped her foot in exasperation. Just when things looked promising, shit always happened to her. Every time. She had no choice but to get up to tell Jerry about the computer.
All of a sudden, something snagged her waist.
No.
Maddie yelled as her body lurched in mid-air. Her back stuck to the ceiling. She wildly thrashed, trying to find something to grab. Some invisible hands gripped her hard and wouldn’t let go.
“Who are you?” she barked. “Put me down, damn it!”
Derisive chortles echoed around the room. The hair on her nape rose.
She’d seen weird things in her life, but the owner of that laughter sounded very creepy. Panic started setting in. Usually, she could see the spirits who bugged her. This time, she couldn’t.
“Help!”
Something caught her ankle and dragged her towards the window.
Oh, crap. “Jerry!”
The bars on the window rattled. They gave way as a powerful force yanked it from the jamb. The steel bars fell down with an alarming clank. Maddie’s body flew outside in a heartbeat.
“Help!”
Maddie grabbed the windowsill at the last moment. But she didn’t know how long she could last. Whoever was dragging her outside was very strong.
And there was no help…
She swallowed a cry. This would be the end of her. The invisible hand yanked her down. “Jean-Luc!” she bawled from the top of her lungs. Seconds before she hit the ground, she saw an enormous black dog charging towards her.
Everything went dark.
Chapter Three
The sound of someone breathing snapped her back to reality. Maddi
e instinctively pushed herself into a sitting position. An immense relief washed over her.
She was still in one piece. And not splattered flat on Jerry’s World’s sidewalk. Thank God.
Maddie drew a deep breath.
Jean-Luc. He had saved her.
Her gaze travelled upward to the black-clad figure sitting by the edge of the bed.
Jean-Luc Berthier. The Hellhound. In the flesh.
The man didn’t seem pleased. “Stubborn girl,” he chastised. “What would have happened if you hadn’t called me? You could have been killed.”
“I didn’t think they would bug me.”
“You’re vulnerable without protection.”
“Geez. Do you have to spell it out?” A pregnant pause stretched between them. Maddie cleared her throat. “Who are they, anyway? Spirits usually aren’t homicidal.”
“They’re called andras, the death omen. They’re the Reapers’ helpers. Their job is to facilitate one’s demise before their master comes to reap the soul.”
“Death omen?” Maddie shuddered. “Why would they want to kill me?”
Jean-Luc didn’t answer. His frown deepened.
Maddie looked around. The room seemed familiar, but the scent of burnt wax and roses cloyed the air. “Where am I?”
“Maison Plaisir. You’re safe.”
Maison Plaisir. The all-inclusive cat house for the spirits. Oh great. “I…uhm…”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For saving me.”
Jean-Luc stared at her long, before sighing heavily and rising from the bed. “You’re welcome.”
“Does this mean, I…uhm…we made a pact?”
A twinkle of satisfaction gleamed in his eyes. “Do I have to spell it out?” he mocked.
She guessed it was inevitable. She had almost been killed and Jean-Luc had saved her life. There was no other way. “Do you…want it now?”
“No.” Laughter bubbled in his tone. “You should clean up. Then we’ll have dinner downstairs.”
“But I have to get back to work. Or I’ll get fired.”
“You can’t go back to work. It’s too dangerous for you to be out there.”
“What do you mean, too dangerous? In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve got bills to pay.”
Jean-Luc folded his arms across his chest, straightening his posture. He looked menacing. “You live here from now on. If you don’t like the room, I can arrange one to suit your taste. They’ve got great room service. Laundry service. Cleaning service. You don’t have to lift a finger. If you ever need anything, Madame Chabert will get it for you. I will send someone to get your things from your apartment.”
“And you expect me to sit around and do nothing all day?” Since she’d made a pact with him, Maddie expected he would want her to be ready whenever he needed her. Like a mistress of some fat, bald CEO or something. But even a mistress of a corporate fat cat still had some freedom.
“Just for a few days until things settle down. Death omen never target unmarked people.”
“I’m marked?” Her eyes widened. “You mean someone wants me dead? Why?”
“That’s one thing I need to find out, chérie. Until then, you sit tight and be a good girl.”
* * * *
She looked anxious.
Madeline ate her dinner with caution as they sat elbow to elbow in a small booth—the French bistro was one of Maison Plaisir’s many in-house restaurants. Jean-Luc always came here whenever he stayed at Maison Plaisir. The place served five-star cuisine. Even then, Carnivale’s relaxing atmosphere didn’t seem to unwind her nervous tension. She stabbed her fork in her lamb chop and chewed it as if she was trying to munch on a tree bark. Her eyes flickered on her surroundings suspiciously.
Jean-Luc grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “What’s wrong?”
Madeline leaned closer and lowered her voice into a whisper. “I’m the only human in this place.”
“Naturally.”
“How do you know one of these people don’t want me dead?”
“You’re overreacting.”
“My kind didn’t try to kill me. Your people did.”
“My people?” His eyebrows furrowed. “You can’t clump the rest of us with the lesser race. Relax. I told you, you’re safe. You’re under my protection. Think of Maison Plaisir as one exclusive club. They won’t let any riff-raff past their threshold.”
Her shoulders sagged. “I guess you’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve been through a lot lately.”
“I know, chérie.” Jean-Luc rubbed her back gently. The cocktail dress Madame Chabert had got for her was slightly too big for her slender frame. But she looked so pretty in it. Dozens of emotions stirred inside his chest. Fondness. Adoration. Lust. An overwhelming urge to stake his claim. He usually felt only emptiness. But since he’d met her, he had been having all of these profound sensations.
To think he had almost lost her.
If he hadn’t heard her call and came to her rescue…
Jean-Luc pushed the thought away, but the nagging ‘what if’ scenario came slipping back.
Had he been a tad too late, she would have been dead and he would’ve had to escort her soul to the Central Office. All agents of the Pit must tag and bring uncollected souls if they ever encountered one. Which meant he would have lost his chance to court her.
He sank his fingers in her lush, dark, shoulder-length hair. It was silky and soft to touch. The clean fragrance of her shampoo drifted to his nose. He loved it. He could also smell the soap she’d used. Roses and lilac.
Very…womanly.
The thought made his cock twitch.
Madeline put down her fork and pushed her plate away.
“Do you want some dessert?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’m not in the mood for sweet.”
“You’re too tense.” Jean-Luc massaged her shoulders.
Madeline stiffened.
“You need to relax.”
“It’s easy for you to say. No one tried to kill you.”
“Not true. Many would gladly have my head on a plate.”
She turned. “You have enemies?”
“It comes with the job.” Jean-Luc wrapped his arm around her slim waist and drew her closer. He kissed the shell of her ear and drew a lungful of her scent. Hot damn. She smelt so intoxicating.
“I…uhm…” Madeline fidgeted. “I’m not really in the mood for this tonight. If you don’t mind.”
“Mood for what? Chérie, I won’t force anything you aren’t comfortable with. I just want to snuggle. Cuddle. That isn’t much to ask, is it?”
“Really?” Her pretty brown eyes widened. “You mean you won’t ask me to perform…” She swallowed. Her voice lowered into a husk of a whisper. “…Weird and kinky stuff?”
“Not unless you like weird and kinky stuff.” Jean-Luc wanted to laugh. “Maddie, honestly. I thought you were a good girl.”
Madeline pouted. “Stop teasing me.” She elbowed him.
“Ouch.” Jean-Luc tightened his embrace. He nuzzled her nape and breathed out on her skin. A thrill of excitement coursed down his spine. He closed his eyes, savouring the sensation.
Ever since Selene died, his heart had been filled with bitterness and revenge. He’d had his payback and somehow it didn’t appease his anguish. Closure was overrated. But Madeline changed it all. She made him feel again.
Like a man. Like a human being.
Jean-Luc opened his eyes and licked her exposed skin. He trailed wet kisses from her neck to her temple.
She shivered. “Jean-Luc…”
“Yes?”
“I…”
He sighed. “Listen, chérie. I won’t do anything that degrades you. I just want…” He paused, searching for the perfect words to convey his emotions. He wasn’t much of a smooth talker. He was an introverted person. But at that very moment, he thought he should let her know what he was feeling. “It has been forever since I’ve been with someone. I�
��m taken with you. I’m not asking much from you, your companionship is all I want.”
Madeline looked as if she was trying to find evidence of his lying. It took a long minute before she finally seemed convinced.
Unexpectedly, she caressed his cheek and kissed him on the mouth.
He froze for a second. Those lips. So warm. And soft.
And the way she kissed. So full of passion. His cock hardened in his pants. God damn. She made it hard for him to exercise his self-control.
Jean-Luc kissed her back. Slowly at first. Then he became ravenous when she reciprocated with the same heat. He fisted a handful of her hair and plastered her with a kiss that almost suffocated her. He had to let her go to give her a chance to breathe.
She panted. “Good lord…”
“Sorry. You made me like this.” Jean-Luc stroked her thigh. The scent of her arousal drifted to his nose. His inner beast growled, wanting more. More of her. All of her. He cursed in silence.
Madeline awkwardly tossed her hair to her back and scanned around. She mumbled shyly, “I think we should go back to our room.”
“I thought you’re not in the mood?”
Her face turned red. She punched his shoulder.
“Madam, you’re so violent.”
“You’re teasing me.”
Jean-Luc laughed. “Sorry. Couldn’t help it. You’re too cute when you’re angry.” He stole a quick kiss from her. “Let me pay the bill first, okay?”
* * * *
Part of her told her she was crazy. The other side insisted that what she was doing was the sanest decision she’d ever made in her life. As much as she hated to admit it, she couldn’t resist her attraction to Jean-Luc any longer. The man was practically sex on a stick.
He held her hand as they walked to their room. She realised she’d never been this giddy before. Aunt Liv’s credo to never consort with non-human went unheeded. Fuck it. It wasn’t like sleeping with him wasn’t inevitable.
Besides, she wanted him.
She’d gone through a lot today, including almost being splattered flat on the sidewalk by something nasty she couldn’t see, and she thought she deserved a nice break by the end of the day. Like fuck-therapy. It had been a while since she had got laid.
Chain of Lust Page 4
