Page 11 of Into The Light

“It’s gorgeous, Mark, but what am I doing here? You haven’t said much since we arrived and I’m pretty freaking nervous.”

“You’re right, Emilia. I just wanted to show you how amazing this place was before we met with Aiden. I know he can come off a little—”

“Weird? Scary? Mean?”

Mark chuckled. “Intense. He can be a bit intense. But you need to realize how incredible this place is. You haven’t even seen the half of it yet. It’s paradise.”

“So, what is this high-paying job you have for me that doesn’t involve prostitution or drug running?”

Mark glanced over to the setting sun. Oranges and yellows streaked across the sky as it started to dip below the horizon.

“Follow me to the house. We’ll fill you in soon.”

It was a long but beautiful walk to the house through lavish gardens and past pristine sculptures. We arrived at the front doors that stretched up well above our heads. Mark pressed them open without a knock.

I struggled to keep my mouth shut while I soaked in the sights of the opulent home. A grand staircase stretched out through the ivory and marble room. The single set of stairs split and parted directions to wrap into a balcony surrounding the entire space. Looking up, I saw the crystal chandelier suspended above me while we made our way across the gold detailing on the cream tile floor. It felt like walking into the lobby of a ritzy hotel. A bit gaudy for my taste, but impressive nonetheless.

“This way.” Mark ushered me toward a red carpeted hallway.

Historical paintings and artwork dotted the hall as we made our way to the doors at the end. Art had never been my forte, but I didn’t need an art degree to know these paintings were authentic... and expensive. I bet one of them could have bought my apartment ten times over.

We reached the doors at the end of the hall. Mark glanced back to the window behind us. The sun had just set, and darkness settled in. He knocked on the door twice, pausing to listen for a response.

“Enter.”

Aiden. I’d know that gritty voice anywhere.

Mark turned both handles of the wooden doors and pushed them open simultaneously. I looked to him for direction. He nodded and reassured me with the warmth of his smile, and we stepped into the room side by side.

Even though I could only see his back, I knew it was Aiden leaning against the mantle of the fireplace. I stepped off the dark wood floor onto the oriental rug that stretched almost the width of the expansive room. We passed between two high-backed red chairs with carved armrests as we continued walking toward Aiden.

Candles and dimly lit lights illuminated tapestries hanging from the wall. Everything about this place said old school. Expensive. Creepy.

“Hello, Emilia, welcome to my home,” Aiden said.

He turned around, his icy gaze landing squarely on me and it sent a shiver slithering up my spine. He seemed to have that effect on me, and whether it was fear or attraction causing it I wasn’t sure. Probably a little bit of both. I cracked a nervous smile and stepped closer to Mark as we moved to the couch facing the carved fireplace.

Aiden wore a suit again, but this one looked more casual than the one he’d sported last night. Equally impressive in both style and fit, yet this black one lacked a tie, and the top two buttons of the ebony shirt beneath peaked open.

He may be creepy, but sweet Jesus is he gorgeous.

“Please sit.” Aiden gestured to the couch.

Mark nodded and helped me down. Crossing my ankles, I fidgeted with the bottom of my dress. Anticipation surged through me. Stabbing? Strangling? How were they going to off me?

I hope I’m still recognizable so UberJake can identify me.

“Can I offer you a drink? Bourbon perhaps?” he asked.

“No, thank you,” I responded. Drinks would dull my wits and I needed them.

“Something else?”

I shook my head.

Aiden and Mark slipped into the chairs facing away from the fire and directly across from me.

Again with the principal’s office scenario?