Page 94 of Greed

“It’s a demon term. It means that upon death if the human has been a particularly terrible human, they go straight to Hell. Usually, it’s when they die, but if the person continues to be…troublesome, then sometimes the Hellhounds are released to drag them to Hell early.” Minetta shivered and sat a little straighter, her face paling. “What is it?”

“I…I think I heard someone being dragged to Hell. I think I heard Hellhounds.”

Reaching out, I rubbed her leg. “Maybe, but I doubt it.”

She nodded but didn’t look convinced. “You’re saying that you’re going to mark this person to go to Hell for what they did?”

“Minny, I won’t promise anything. But, what would you like me to do if I find out this person has turned into a serial rapist?” I watched as she mulled that thought over as she characteristically chewed on her lower lip. “I could find out by looking in your mind, Minny, but I haven’t out of respect for you. Please just tell me.”

“You can do that,” she asked, her eyes going wide.

“I can, but before you ask, I haven’t looked, although I’ve been very tempted. I really want you to tell me because you trust me with the information.” I leaned forward and reached out, running a strand of her hair through my fingers. Minny’s eyes closed, and she leaned her head into my hand, the little movement making my heart swell.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the sheet and slowly stood to wander over to the window. She stared much like I had many a night. The moon was bright and illuminating the dark water in the distance—the way the light played on the dips and plains of her features almost made her painfully beautiful to look at, and I could feel tears forming at the back of my eyes. I had an urge to get down on my knees at her feet and beg for forgiveness for all that I’d ever done. The idea was prosperous, and yet the sensation burned in my heart.

“Anthony Kent and his friend. I never knew the other guy’s name,” she finally said. Minetta turned and looked at me. A tear shimmered and slowly traveled down her cheek. I realized at that moment that no matter what I promised to her, this Anthony Kent and his unknown friend were as good as dead.

R: I miss you already. Minetta smiled at her phone as she read the text from Riker.

M: I’ve only been gone a couple of hours. Don’t you have business to take care of? You keep saying you’re soooo busy with all these high-powered business deals.

R: I do, and I know, but it’s still too long to go without your touch. I always knew there was a reason I aimed to be a top exec. If I can’t play hooky every now and then to play with my…hmm would you call yourself? My girlfriend? No matter, if I could, I’d keep you in bed with me all day. How did you put that? It was so eloquent…oh yes, you wanted me to ravage you.

Minetta’s cheeks warmed as she pictured exactly what they’d been up to until the wee hours of the morning.

R: Are you still there, my little bird?

M: Yes, I’m still here, and yes, I miss you and want you to ravage me, but not until tomorrow. I need some actual sleep tonight.

R: You do know you never need to work again if you don’t want to?

M: Riker!

R: Fine, fine, work away, my little bird, but be prepared to have that sexy body of yours worshiped the next time I see you. I have a few new positions I want to try out on you.

M: Such a devil.

R: I think you mean demon, but yes. I wish you’d reconsider moving in with me.

M: I’ll think about it, but I feel like it’s too soon, and I can’t have you getting sick of me.

R: LOL! That is impossible, but fine, we can look at something maybe more to your taste in a couple of months, but I should remind you I’m not a patient man.

M: You’re impossible.

R: I know, but you might as well give in now. I always get my way. Looking forward to seeing you again.

M: Same.

She chuckled and sat her phone down on the desk.

“Minetta!” She jumped out of her seat, her heart almost following suit out of her chest. She turned to look over her shoulder at her boss Eric.

Pulling the work headphones off of her head, she swallowed hard as she gave the stern man a small smile. “Yes, Sir?”

“Have you seen or know what happened to Jared? I haven’t heard from him since he called about dropping the charges against you.”

Minetta looked around as the rest of the people on the floor, who weren’t on a call. They’d all turned their attention toward the action. She was pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to yell personal information across the entire floor like this. No wonder Jared had a warped sense of what was right and wrong.