Blood Moon Box Set

by Natalie Aejaz

  “Angie. I was going to speak to you.”

  “When? After you’d got a few more fucks out of me?”

  He gripped the table, his claws protruding. How the hell could she say that to him? Did she think so little of him? “I would never treat you like that.” Part of him had feared losing her, but it wasn’t just about the sex…he didn’t register her following words because of the thumping sensation inside his mind.

  Wasn’t just about the sex?

  “…treated me like shit. How else was it? You lied, leading me on.” She moved forward and slammed her hand on the desk. “What the hell, Shaun? I didn’t realize you were so desperate to get laid that you’d stoop to this level.”

  There she went again, accusing him of making that promise just to get her into bed. He wouldn’t have given a damn if those words came from any other female, but he needed her to understand. “You’ve got it wrong. This is a huge mistake.”

  “The only mistake I made was getting involved with an asshole like you.”

  He tried to focus and think of a damn solution to all this shit, but his head was clouded. “Shop or no shop, we both wanted each other.” He leaned over the desk, staring into her damp eyes. “It’s what we both still want.”

  “Speak for yourself.” She wiped those tears away before they fell. “If you think I’ll give up on that place, you’ve got another thing coming. That shop is mine, Shaun, and I will take it back.”

  And with that, she left, slamming the door behind her.

  He would have gone after her, but there was no point right now, not when she was so pissed. He sat at the desk, head in his hands. Whatever this was between them, it was supposed to have been fun, but it had dragged him into one shit scenario after another. He’d intended nothing serious with her, so it was better if she did walk out before she brought a new damn problem into his life. But yet, it took every bit of willpower to not go after her and drag her back in here. He toyed with the idea of sitting her in that chair and not letting her leave until he told her why he’d done what he did. He had to make her to understand.

  Why the hell was it so difficult to let her go?

  CHAPTER NINE

  * * *

  ANGIE WISHED SHE’D NEVER HEARD of Eclipse. Yes, life had been uneventful before then and sex would have carried on being boring as hell, but that might have been better than this raging ache that had set up home inside her.

  She kept her eyes fixed to the laptop, trying to focus on the report she was amending. She hadn’t seen Shaun for the last few days, and the worst thing was that every time he called, it was tempting to answer. Even after he had cheated her out of what was hers. What he was doing was illegal as well as hurtful, but how had she ever thought that sentiments could affect him? This was who he was, and she was the idiot for expecting anything different from him.

  When her phone buzzed again, that familiar sensation constricted her chest. Was it him? But no, the name that flashed up on the screen was that of Pearson Loan Services. And that made her even more nervous. Was this a big mistake? This was the kind of crap that had gotten dad into so much trouble. But if she didn’t do this, she could kiss the shop good bye. For good. She stood with her mobile in her hand. “I’ll be back soon,” she said to Sandra.

  She didn’t wait for an answer before she rushed through the glass doors and into the corridor. There was nobody around, so she answered the call. “Hello?”

  “Angie Parker?” asked the man on the other side.

  “Yes.”

  “Pearson Loan Services here.” The voice sounded like that of your average salesperson, but that only put her more on edge. The professionalism of such firms was the reason her father was duped so easily. The company’s name was so damn legit, as was its website, which she came across during an online search. A well-designed site, with virtual assistants and five star reviews that meant it appeared to be an investment firm that was above board. But any firm that could provide a loan within a day without requiring background checks was not the kind to be messed with. These companies wouldn’t hesitate to arrange to have a limb or two broken if payments weren’t made, and the interest rates…well, she didn’t want to think about it. Would she even make that much money from the business?

  Dammit, why the hell was she doubting herself now? The shop was a dream her parents had set up together. The least she could do was save it for them. “You wish to use our service to repay a loan?”

  She told the truth. “Yes.”

  “Then you’ve come to the right place. We specialize in such services.” She bet they did. People like her were perfect opportunities for these cut-throats. “We would love to have one of our sales representatives meet with you to discuss your investment further.”

  “When?”

  “Can you make today?”

  So soon? “The evening would be fine, after I finish work.”

  “That’s all right. We open late for the convenience of our customers.” The location he gave her was in an upmarket corporate area of Manhattan, the last place she would expect such a shady business to have its premises. “Before you come in, 750,000 USD is a large sum. Do you have any assets you can use as collateral?”

  “Yes. A shop.”

  The voice rose a notch. “Perfect. Its name?”

  “Bygone Antiques.” There was a pause. “Something wrong?”

  “The name sounds familiar…but do come in and bring any documents related to the property. Would 6 be a good time?”

  “Perfect.”

  “Great. I will fix the meeting with one of our best representatives. Have a wonderful day.”

  “Thank you.”

  She hung up the phone and then stared at the abstract artwork on the opposite wall, trying to figure out what those random lines and splashes of color meant. Her mind dissolved into a blank as she tried to avoid thinking about what she was getting into…but an image flashed through her head…her dad overworked and scraping together whatever money he made but only reducing that damn loan amount by a few dollars. Was that going to be the rest of her life?

  As she walked past Sandra’s desk, her colleague asked, “Everything all right?”

  “Yes.” She sat before her laptop and then typed, not stopping until she reached the end of the report. She should have been pleased that she would have the shop back…but she couldn’t dismiss the feeling that she was setting herself up for an even bigger problem.

  DAMN IT, WHY WOULDN’T ANGIE answer her phone? Shaun had never chased a female, hell no, and yet she was driving him up the wall. He had headed to Eclipse a few times, but each time, Blade assured him that neither Angie nor her red-haired friend had checked into any of the zones recently.

  When his mobile rang and Jack’s name flashed up, he immediately answered. “Any news?”

  Jack hadn’t blinked when Shaun called him to the office yesterday and asked him to track down Angie. It wasn’t a job that a man like him should work on, but he was the only one Shaun trusted with the task.

  “Her official address is the apartment above the shop, but obviously she’s not been there for a while. After moving into her own place, she didn’t change her details.”

  “Any other leads?” She was a mind-altering gas that seeped into every part of him, forcing him into behavior he once never would have considered.

  “I’ve got her workplace details.”

  “Send me the information.”

  “Sure, boss. Will that be all when it comes to…this matter?”

  “Yes.”

  Jack’s relief was tangible, even over the phone. “Great. Let me know if any other work turns up.”

  “You know I will. And thanks.”

  A few moments later, the details came through on his mobile. He wished he could be the shifter he was before he met her and let her go without giving a damn, but his beast had been on edge since she left his office that day. Whenever he closed his eyes, that pained look on her face—as if she couldn’t believe that he had
done this to her—tore through him. All he wanted was a chance to explain.

  His secretary called. “Mr. Henderson is here for his meeting with you.”

  He usually would never agree to the broker Will visiting his official premises, but one of the most sickening things about this situation was that Shaun needed to keep that devious human sweet. Will had his fingers in too many properties worth having to be ignored, and after he threatened to stop dealing with Shaun over the Bygone scenario, he couldn’t be taken for granted.

  “Send him in,” he said. The more he dealt with brokers, the more he disliked having to tolerate them, and Will had always been a particular pain in the ass. Shame that he came up with great bargains.

  He curbed his irritation as the door opened. Considering his line of business and how involved brokers like Will were in prime real estate, Shaun would have to deal with him long-term, so he needed to make their professional relationship work. But judging by what Will said when he phoned this morning, today’s meeting was more of a bloody sales call—so fucking desperate and a sad waste of time.

  The broker entered the office, his slight stoop making that expensive two-piece look ill-fitted, even though it was customized at an exclusive Manhattan tailor. “Take a seat, Will. Coffee?”

  “I’d prefer to get straight to business.” The broker sat and then placed his briefcase on the desk before opening it to pull out documents. “I have properties you may be interested in.”

  Will dealt with millions of dollars worth of business daily but still hadn’t caught up with technology. He opened a file and pushed it toward Shaun. “Here’s a list of loans recently acquired by my contacts. Some of them may interest you.” Most of the people who went to these loan sharks had no idea that as soon as they put collateral in a company’s hands, it was off trying to make big money from it. Few of these lenders were interested in debtors repaying loans. Their interests lay in acquiring property at marked down rates. As Shaun flicked through the papers now, why the hell did guilt pierce him, because of his own involvement in this business? For years, he’d treated the misery of such customers as an opportunity…but now an image of Angie flashed through his head, as she pleaded with him to give her time to raise enough funds to save her shop. How many of these properties belonged to people trying to save something important? Or their lives, even? He stopped his thoughts there. If he went down that line of thinking, he might as well opt out of this business. The loan sharks carried out the dirty work, and all he did was purchase loans and acquire property, like any canny businessman would.

  As he skimmed through the papers, as usual he relied on his instinct. Nothing much here…hang on. This piece of land with a dilapidated building pulled him. He turned the file around and placed it in front of the broker. “Details?”

  “You always zoom in on the best deals.” Will’s lips curled up. “This property’s been sat unused for years, but its owner’s hell-bent on building an apartment block there. He got into financial trouble a while back and wrecked his credit record, so he’s never been able to secure a loan.”

  “And he’s borrowing money to build apartments?”

  “Yes, so I’m looking for someone who’s interested in that kind of investment.”

  Shaun underplayed his interest, not wanting to push the price up any further than the figure that the broker would have already decided. “And there’s little chance of him repaying this loan?”

  “His crap credit record wasn’t the only reason the banks turned him down. He doesn’t have much money behind him, and by the time he’s got the apartments up and running and returning a profit…let’s just say, it would have been a huge risk for any bank to get involved.”

  “I’m interested in this one. Send me more information.”

  “Of course. But the deal won’t only be for the land—I’ll be taking the apartment block into consideration.”

  “I wouldn’t expect any less from you.” He would send Jack out to check the landlord, his background and financial status—anything that would help Shaun determine how likely he was to repay the loan. If there was any inkling he couldn’t, then Shaun was taking this prime piece.

  “Would you like the details of any other properties?”

  Nothing else stood out, nothing that compared to that gem, anyway. “That’s all I’m interested in, thanks.” Now Will’s eyes narrowed, as if there was something more he wanted to say. It wasn’t only these investments that dragged him here today? “What’s up?” He was wary of the answer, because with assholes like this broker, you never knew what they might come out with.

  “It’s about that antique shop.”

  “Bygone?” There had better not be any more problems with that site. That was one property he wished he’d never gone for. He just didn’t have the patience to deal with any more fallouts from it. As it was, he had no idea if Angie would see his point of view when he explained the situation.

  “Shaun, I thought you’d agreed with Drake you’re going ahead with the development?” The broker’s eyes shifted to the file. “It’s why I brought these deals over.”

  A silent warning.

  “I’m sticking to the arrangement. I don’t plan to let that property go.”

  Will shrugged. “Oh, well. Let’s see.”

  “What’s going on?”

  The broker leaned forward. “Your friend Angie Parker has been in touch with one of my business associates. She’s arranging a loan.”

  The air was pushed out of Shaun’s lungs at the broker’s words. No fucking way. What the hell was Angie doing, getting involved with such companies? Hadn’t her dad got her into enough trouble? And why the fuck did humans never learn their lessons? “You’re sure about this?”

  The broker leaned back in the chair, eyebrows raised. “You think I didn’t check this out before giving you the information? She has a meeting this evening to arrange the terms.”

  Damn it. “What kind of terms?”

  “Once he’s got her in the meeting, he’ll use the unreliable investment angle and go for a 35% interest rate.”

  There was no way she could repay that loan, and when she didn’t, she would lose the shop and have these guys or worse going after her. Pressure pounded inside Shaun’s head and his fangs ached to push through, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, controlling his beast. He had to keep calm if he wanted to sort this situation. “Where’s the meeting?”

  “At the loan shark’s office. But if he knows you intend to hold on to the property, he’ll back off straight away.”

  “Tell him to back off, but ask him to mention nothing to Angie. And are you able to change the meeting location? Send her somewhere else?”

  Will frowned. “What are you planning?”

  “Just do it.”

  “Where do you want her?” When Shaun gave the address, “Your other office?” Yes—the smaller premises where he usually met Jack and the like. “I take it you plan to meet her. But why?”

  “To sort this out once and for all.”

  Will stared at him, unblinking. “Don’t mess this up again. James won’t appreciate any more requests for negotiation.”

  “I’m just going to speak to her, Will. Talk to your associate and rearrange the meeting. If he has any issues with the lost custom—”

  “Believe me, once he realized that your property’s involved and James has a stake in it, he was ready to stand back. He’ll be relieved to know you’re taking over.” The broker gathered his documents and then placed them in the briefcase before standing. “It’s been great doing business with you. As always.”

  After he left the room, Shaun inhaled, deep.

  Would Angie forgive him?

  CHAPTER TEN

  * * *

  ANGIE WAS JUST ABOUT TO leave her one-bedroom apartment when she received a message from the loan shark. A change of address? The new location was near the place where the original appointment had been arranged, so she would get there on time. She had chosen a
smart red blouse and a knee-length black skirt and matching jacket, as if she was going for a professional meeting and not a rendezvous with Manhattan’s dodgier elements. Such niceties held little value where those people were concerned, but they made her feel in control.

  She grabbed a cab from outside the apartment block and as it crawled its way through the evening traffic, she tried to think of anything but the fact that she was going into a meeting with a bloody loan shark. What if she couldn’t keep up with the repayments? As the taxi picked up speed and they passed tall buildings at a faster pace, she bit her bottom lip. She would manage, somehow. She would toil night and day at that shop to turn over a profit. The hard work would be worth it if it saved her dream.

  When the taxi stopped outside the high rise building, a shudder started at her feet, rushing all the way up to her neck and getting stuck there. I’ve made my decision and need to stick to it. She got out and paused before the structure. There was no signage…an ominous warning reminding her she was about to enter a world with no rules. When she entered the place, its appearance was nothing short of professional. White sofas along one wall, flanked by glass tables with a selection of magazines. The reception was to her left, and the lady behind it was expecting her. “Miss Parker?” When Angie nodded, “Your meeting’s on the first floor. Third door on your right.”

  “Thank you.”

  Angie’s steps were labored as she walked through a set of glass doors and into a white corridor. She hit the panel to summon the elevator and then waited. When the steel doors sprang open before her, she took the stairs instead, telling herself she needed the exercise. Yeh, right. She wanted to delay the meeting, even if only for a few moments. But before she was ready, she was on the first floor, stood before the third door on her right. She knocked.

  “Come in,” called the deep voice. She inhaled, straightened the neckline of her blouse and then opened the door. When she entered the room, the door closed behind her with a click.