I was inside Daimon's car, sitting down with him in the back. The driver was driving us to the Love nest community event. Daimon had paper in his hand, reading through his notes. His black three-piece suit was pressed, and his red necktie was loose. His eyebrow creased, the furrow deepening as he read.
I was dressed in a simple white dress that clung to my body.
I couldn't help but observe his expression. A deathly aura surrounded him, screaming unearthly danger. He could pass as one of the top magazine models, on how sinfully beautiful this man looked.
"Do you like what you see?" Daimon spoke, not looking up.
I snapped my attention, startled by his question.
"Yes, you're quite handsome. I now understand why women would throw themselves at you." I spoke.
Daimon looked up, a bit surprised at how bluntly I spoke. He didn't expect that and was unable to say anything back. Instead, he smirked, basking in the compliment.
I coughed, looking away. Heat going up my neck and my cheeks.
"It seems I am to your taste. I'm glad to hear that."
"Well, every woman out there would agree with me."
"I'm not interested in other women's opinions, just yours."
Damn this man. He was making me squirm. Why was he so good at this?
The car stopped; the door opened as we both came out. He stopped, waiting for me. His arm out for me to take. I slipped my hand through his arm. We walked together, the door open as the event was in full swing.
This event was different from the Luna gathering, which felt like a party. This was upscale with many businessmen and women in suits and ties or dresses, holding sparkling wine and water in their hands. Men of different stature, whom I knew were high upper classes by the way they held themselves and the aura of a powerful man who ran many successful businesses, and even some dangerous-looking individuals.
My instinct was screaming at me that half of these people worked in an underground crime syndicate. Their poise defined them. Different from other businessmen. The surrounding air was just as dangerous, hidden with intent. I shivered, realizing the heavy energy. It differed from the Luna gathering.
I could feel the ache in my shoulders, telling me we needed to leave. Not stay in this wretched place, hidden with knives that I couldn't see. Heck, someone might even come out with a knife and stab someone. Not once have I ever ignored my gut, which got me out of trouble multiple times.
What did I step into?
We walked forward; one of the older gentlemen walked forward, stopping in front of us.
"Daimon." The elderly gentleman smiled. "It is good to see you here. I thought you wouldn't make it."
"You know me, Lockheart. I am where I am needed."
Lockheart chuckled. "Who must this beautiful lady be?"
"This is my date for tonight, Sarah Gibbons. She spearheads our marketing department with Isaiah."
"Date? Did you move on from Ariel?"
"Ariel was transactional. My family debt is paid."
"Ah, the blood debt. Those are fickle to get rid of, good to see you come out of it." Lockheart nodded, taking a swing of his wine. "Well, Ms. Gibbons, it's nice to meet you. You're in for a treat to be with Mr. Regis here."
I couldn't help but control my expression. I knew I was out here to be his plus one, but on a date, I wasn't thrilled. "He's an interesting man. I'm sure he has many things to show."
Lockheart nodded, "It seems you're putting Isaiah through the wringer if Ms. Gibbons is taking a large part of the marketing department."
"He is. You know how he is; he can't stay on one project for too long and needs another challenge."
"Bah," Lockheart waved his hand in front of him, "I'm glad he's your problem now."
"He's doing well," Daimon replied.
A man entered from the right; his brown hair was slicked back. His handsome face rivals Daimon's, and his height was the same. He wore a clean-cut suit with the top few buttons open. He possessed a captivating allure.
"Daniel Goldenburg." Daimon grasped his hand, shaking it.
"Daimon," Daniel replied. "I'm glad you could make it. And here is Lockheart, good to see you old man." He clapped Lockheart on his shoulder.
Lockheart sputtered, "These young ins are getting too comfortable. We are not friends; did your father not teach you to respect elders?"
Daniel laughed, "You know me. Daniel boisterously laughed, "You know me. The old man earns respect."
Then he swiveled toward me, his eyes glistening when he rested his gaze on me. "Who is this lovely lady?"
"This is Sarah Gibbons."
"Gibbons?" There was a glint in his eyes as if he knew that name somewhere. If I hadn't been paying attention, I wouldn't have caught it. My suspicion lingered, paying attention to Daniel.
"Yes, I am Mr. Regis' date for tonight." I spoke, watching him.
"That's interesting. I didn't expect you to hurry. I can see why you chose her; she's beautiful," Daniel said, winking at me.
"Thank you."
"Daimon, I need to talk with you about what you have asked for," Lockheart spoke.
Daimon nodded, turning to me. "Don't leave; I'll be right back."
I nodded, letting him go.
"I'll talk to you in a bit, Daniel."
"No worries." Daniel waved his drink in his hand, "I'll keep your date company."
Both Daimon and Lockheart left, leaving me behind with Daniel. The jolly demeanor seemed to disappear from Daniel, and silence followed. I felt uncomfortable at his scrutinizing gaze.
"How did you get a date with Daniel? You're not his type." Daniel broke the silence, watching my reaction.
"I work for Mr. Regis."
"Ah, that makes more sense. I was wondering if he derailed after Racheal left."
"It seems the name Racheal is famous around here."
"She was his first love, childhood friend, and his ex-fiancée. All the business world knew her as the woman who would lead the future generation to come."
"That's quite a compliment to her." I wondered what made her name so prominent in social circles.
"She is the sweetheart, and the woman who betrayed his heart."
"Betray?" I really wanted to know more about that story.
"Oh, didn't you know? She married the Duke of Mortar right after she broke up with him. It was scandalous and became trending news for months."
"What does this have to do with me?" I asked, confused why he brought this up.
"Because she's coming back for him. After her divorce from her ex-husband, word on the grapevine is that she's aiming to come back in six months."
I felt an uncomfortable tug in my heart. I rubbed my finger on the glass, contemplating on what he had said. It smelled like trouble, and I wondered why he was bringing her up. What was the catch? Was this man telling me this in the goodness of his heart?
"Thank you for telling me this. I didn't know."
"I don't enjoy seeing a woman get hurt because of his history."
"Would that be the reason?" I asked.
He smiled. "No, it's just looking out for Pamon Gibbons' daughter. Your mother helped me out once in her life. It's not much, but warn what you will go up against if you date him. Love is a dangerous thing."
"True, love is." His words echoed my thoughts. I knew what love can do; my brother was a testimony of what could do for a broken-hearted, but I also knew what love can twist into. A bitter reminder of what vengeance roared into, thrumming into the back of my mind for blood debt.
"You know my mother?"
"Yes, we used to work together at the Dresden Supernatural Society."
"I'm sorry?" I was surprised by what he had just said. "Dresden Supernatural Society? Mr. Goldenburg, are you implying that there are supernatural beings in this world?"
Daniel smirked, his handsome face glinted with amusement. "Oh, there is Ms. Gibbons. Your mother was the center of society."
Now that got me curious. What did this man know? "What do you mean? The center of society?"
"Well, you could say she was the mediator between the supernatural and the humans."
"Like a spokesperson?"
"Yes, something like that. After she had passed, my late condolences, there were no others."
I took a moment to think over what he had said. My mother's role as a supernatural spokesperson shocked me. It made sense; we were not normal as well.
"If you would like, I invite you to one of my small gatherings with the supernaturals. Opening up a whole new world you have never seen or heard before."
"I would like that. When would be the best time?"
"In a couple of weeks, the Dresden Supernatural Society is meeting for a reelection for Head of the society. I'm sure introducing to the world is what your mother would have liked."
"Alright, here, let me give you my number."
Daniel pulled out his phone as I rattled off my number for him. "I will call you or text of where we would be meeting." He pocketed his phone as he sent a ping to me. Just as he put his phone away, Daimon walked over.
"My apologies, it seems it took a bit of time."
"It's no problem; Mr. Goldenberg has been keeping me company while we wait."
"Oh, now?"
"Yes," I replied.
"I was just telling her about your fabulous relationship."
"Why would you do that?" Daimon drawled, frowning. His arm snaked around my waist, startling me. There was a possessive air around him that shouted subtly to Daniel to stay away.
"To keep her on her toes and to get to know her." Daniel smirked, his eyes glimmering with mischief.
"You don't have to do any of that, Daniel. Now, if you will excuse us, we got a few more people to meet." Daimon shuffled me away as if he were a shepherd and I were sheep, keeping me close in his arms.
"It's nice knowing you, Ms. Gibbons." Daniel voiced aloud.
We left him behind, moving through the crowd. His arm, wrapped. A simmering annoyance lingered in the air.
"What did you talk about?" Daimon asked. We stopped for a moment; he twirled me around, facing me.
"He warned me of your exes."
Daimon scoffed, "That's not something you have to worry about. We are here for work."
"That's what I thought, too." I replied, "I don't think he saw us as that though."
"What, Sarah?" Daimon spoke, slurring my name that it made me tingle.
"As if we were dating."
"We are not."
"I know, but they don't."
Daimon chuckled, "Their thoughts don't matter. As long as we need it, we will continue our temporary relationship.
"I understand." I replied. I had to wonder why I was allowing other people's opinions to matter when our contract was between the two of us. We weren't dating. This was work.
We continued our rounds through the meeting, talking with different people. The meeting lasted through the night, ending around nine. Throughout the entire meeting, I was on edge, wondering where the trouble would come from. Nothing. There were no hidden threats or fights that I thought I would know about, but for some reason that tug dissipated as if I had accomplished something and fended off an invisible fight. Weird.
Daimon stopped in front of the fake house. I stepped out.
He rolled down the window, looking at me.
"Thank you for taking me home." I replied.
"You're welcome. I will text you the next event, which should be soon."
"I'll be looking out for it." I gave him a nod, turning around and headed into the house. Daimon watched until I went in before leaving.