“No, actually it’s not. It’s just been easier to bring it home and work. I might actually be a lot busier. I kinda got a promotion, I guess.” If that’s what you called what Grayson rigged for me.

  My mother’s face was immediately riddled with disappointment. “More work, Gabriella. Really? Don’t you think it’s time to put aside this human dream and make a place for yourself in our world?”

  I turned, gaping at her. I was opening my mouth to argue when Anton spoke. “Now Persephone, Gabriella enjoys her job and likes to have something to do with her time.” I turned to Anton, my face transforming to one of shock. “It’s very important to her and it gives her something to do while we all rest. You can’t really expect her to sit inside by herself all day. Even her furry friend has a job.” I couldn’t believe he was taking my side. As much as I appreciated it, I wasn’t going to feel indebted to him. I was sure it was one his tricks, one that I would not fall prey to.

  “I don’t like it, Anton. I never have. If people found out…”

  “What people? It’s not like I’m munching on my coworkers,” I stated.

  “She is right, Persephone. She is of age. Out of respect to you as my fledgling, and as her mother, I have allowed you to be overbearing with her in hopes you would see the responsible woman she has become, yet you still treat her as you would a child. No longer; Gabriella has transitioned, therefore, she is subject to vampire law.” My mother sat there open-mouthed. My guess was this wasn’t part of the plan.

  “Anton...?” she whispered.

  “It is done,” he raised his hand silencing her. “Gabriella, come with me. I believe your mother needs a moment to collect herself and to remember that in this house, I am ruler.” I didn’t know what to say, or do, for that matter. Had that really just happened? Anton had just given me my freedom. I no longer had to answer to my mother. I could come and go as I pleased. Seeing my confusion, Anton grabbed my hand pulling me to my feet. He rested it on the crook of his arm then handed me my wine glass of blood. I was in complete shock as I allowed him to lead me away. A cold breeze woke me from my dazed state.

  “Did you enjoy that?” Anton turned to face me.

  I couldn’t help but giggle. “I did. I love her, but as you said she has been overbearing. A lot more since I transitioned.”

  “You are her only child, Gabriella. It is hard letting go.” He spoke to me with kindness instead of his usual arrogance. A smile broke across his face. “I, of course, did have a selfish reason for it.” I had expected as much.

  I huffed, “Let’s hear it then.”

  His grin grew bigger showing off his white teeth. “Go on, how do they say, a date with me?”

  Seriously? “Anton, you know I don’t have feelings towards you.”

  Anton’s face darkened, his smile turning wicked. “Gabriella, I think you misunderstand. I ask you solely as a formality. Under the old law a single female must entertain the advances of any unmated males.” The shock I felt earlier was nothing to now. Somebody could dump a bucket of ice water on me and it wouldn’t even affect the chills I had at the moment. My stomach was in my throat and I felt like I was riding a speeding roller-coaster, tossing and dipping in all directions, leaving my stomach behind.

  “You did it on purpose!” I exclaimed. He simply shrugged. “You bastard!”

  “Now, Gabriella, you’ve known I have always had an interest in you. All I’m asking for is an opportunity to prove I am worthy of your attention.”

  “And forcing me to date you is your way of proving you’re worthy? You can’t be serious.”

  His lips drew into a thin line. “Tomorrow, you will be home no later than eight. That should give you plenty of time to wrap up with work. Oh and let me make this abundantly clear, you will show up. After tomorrow, if Monday’s do not work for you, you may pick another day of the week.”

  “What if tomorrow is no good for me?”

  “Tomorrow is nonnegotiable.”

  “And what if I choose not to show or if something really does come up?”

  “Whichever the case, you do not want to know. Let’s just say, I will punish you. Your work is a kindness I allow you. Other vampire masters would not be so generous.” He leaned in close to whisper, “Push me on this, Gabriella, and see if I do not lock you up during the day. You will only be allowed out at my convenience.” He walked back inside leaving me standing there alone. I was being forced into dating Anton. Unlike when Grayson did it, which made me feel happy and giddy, I felt sick to my stomach.

  Chapter 9

  I called Shawn Monday, leaving him several messages, but he never got back to me. I understood why. After the full moon werewolves tended to take the following day for rest. After a night of shifting and hunting, who could blame them? I really just needed someone to talk to that would understand what I was going through. Not having any other supernatural friends, besides Shawn, meant I’d have to wait. I thought about leaving the supernatural stuff out and talk to one of my coworkers but even then, how do you explain being forced into a date. Blackmail, perhaps?

  I had Rachel call Grayson’s secretary, informing them that I had the interview arranged for Wednesday. Hopefully with that settled, there would be no reason to contact him or see him until then. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but at the same time I was anxious to be around him. I missed him.

  The day passed in a flash, not giving me much time to figure a way out of the mess I found myself in. I definitely needed to freshen up on my vampire laws in hopes to find a loophole.

  I arrived home, right after work. Not knowing what Anton had planned and not caring to impress him, I slipped on jeans and a black tee. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and removed all my jewelry, along with my makeup. It took me only moments to prepare. Glancing at the clock, I realized I still had plenty of time before the vampires woke, so I decided now was as good a time as any to search through the vampire’s archives.

  I made my way to the archive room, which was on the third floor. The room was dark and musty smelling. Flipping on the lights, a single bulb flickered on, barely illuminating the crowded room. There were several books on the old law. It was the same for all vampires. The books sat on a shelf, a set of ten. Papers and files were scattered everywhere. I wasn’t sure what else was here but I only cared for one thing. I pulled the first book off the shelf. It was tattered and dusty. Obviously, it hadn’t been read in some time. I was one of the youngest in the nest. Everything I knew about the law I had learned second-hand. This would be my first time experiencing it for myself. I laid the book carefully on the table, easing it open.

  I set the alarm on my phone for ten minutes before sunset. I wanted to make sure Anton had no idea what I was up to. I began reading. Most of it was simple rules. Kill discretely, if at all. A sire is responsible for their fledgling, until it can be determined they have an understanding of their new life. Things of that nature. My alarm sounded when I was only a few pages in. Noting where I was in the book, I rearranged everything so no one could tell I had been there. I sped back to my room and waited to be summoned.

  At eight on the dot, I heard a rap at my door. It was time to suck it up and put my big girl panties on. Anton was dressed in a white button up shirt and black slacks. I hated to say it, but he looked nice.

  “You look ravishing, Gabriella.” He took my hand, raising it to his lips, he kissed my knuckles. I tried to hide my uneasiness, but was pretty sure I failed. Anton didn’t seem to notice. “Shall we?”

  We took a taxi. Anton would not tell me where we were going. All he’d say was, “It is a surprise.” I really wasn’t up for surprises tonight. The car came to a stop. Stepping outside, it took a minute to understand what I was seeing. Bright lights, colorful signs, outdoor arena. He had taken me out to play miniature golf. I know. Crazy! Scary, master vampire trying to shoot a golf ball at a windmill.

  “I figured the situation was less than ideal for you, so why not do something amusing instead of the traditional.” I couldn’t have agreed more.

  The evening had been amusing. Anton was pretty awful at the game. “How is it that you’ve been around for four hundred years and have never played putt-putt before?” I asked while he lined up his shot.

  “And who says I have never played before?” He tapped his putter against the ball missing the shot completely. I tilted my head to the side, my eyebrows raised. “Alright, yes. I have never played before. I never needed to.”

  “It’s not about needing to.” I spoke, sinking my ball in the hole in one shot. “It’s about enjoying yourself and wanting to.”

  “And are you enjoying yourself this evening Gabriella?” I looked over at Anton leaning against the wall surrounding the hole we were on.

  “I’m not miserable, but I’m still being forced to be here.” I said softly.

  “You can’t even admit that you might be having a nice time with me,” he stated shaking his head.

  “Let’s just go on to the next hole.”

  Later that evening, Anton walked me to my bedroom door, which I didn’t like. He grabbed my hand pulling it to his mouth. He inhaled my scent deeply and a smile spread across his face. He placed a chaste kiss over my knuckles, just like earlier.

  “I had a wonderful time tonight, Gabriella, so do Monday’s work for you?” he asked, as if forcing me into it was some insignificant thing.

  I let out a long sigh, “You’re really not going to let this go, are you?”

  “No,” he responded, simply.

  “Mondays don’t work. I have too much work to do after the weekend.”

  “Alright, what day then?”

  I sighed again, hoping he’d catch my annoyance in his persistence, “Thursdays?”

  “Thursday it is then,” he spoke before speeding away. As amusing a time as I had, it changed nothing on how I felt toward Anton. He was still a bat shit crazy vamp and the world would be a lot better off if he tripped and fell on a stake. The night with Anton just made me miss Grayson more. Things with him had just been easy. It felt natural, not forced.

  “And here I almost believed you when you told me you had no interest in my master.” I turned to see Ava coming down the hall.

  “Are you stalking me now, Ava?”

  She didn’t answer me. “Why can you not admit you desire him?”

  “Because I don’t.” Gosh, why did no one believe me? Grayson believed you. A voice whispered in my head. “Look Ava, Anton has manipulated the situation between him and me. He’s using some old law to force me to date him.”

  “He’s forcing you to court him?” I nodded. “Then it is over for me.” She dropped her head in a heartbreaking gesture.

  “What are you talking about? I don’t want him.”

  “It does not matter.”

  “Look Ava, I really don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Please don’t give up on him. I really do want you two to be together. Do what you need to do to win him over.”

  Her gaze shot to my face, there was something in that look that I really didn’t like. “I believe you are right, Gabriella. I should do whatever I can to convince the master to choose me.” Not knowing what else to do, I simply nodded. She smiled wickedly before she turned and left. I didn’t know what Ava was planning, but by the look on her face, I didn’t think I would like it.

  “OMG! Gaby! I’m so sorry. I would have answered but, you know, I was knocked the hell out. I just came to this morning.” Shawn and I where at Starbucks discussing my current Anton situation before I had to be at work.

  “There has to be some kind of loophole Shawn. I mean, I can’t go on dating him forever.”

  “I’m sure there is, baby girl. You just have to keep going through those books. Maybe if you can sneak out one at a time, I can help you search. I mean Anton is one sexy man, but he has to be crazier than a bunch of squirrels fighting over a chestnut if he thinks forcing you to date him is going to make you suddenly grow feelings for him.”

  “I know, but you should have heard Ava. She seemed distraught when she found out what Anton was doing. She said that ‘It was over for her’. And then I have Grayson forcing me to be his party planner and managing the whole opening. I just can’t seem to win with these men,” I explained.

  “When do you see him again?” Shawn asked.

  “Which one?” I muttered, taking a drink of my coffee.

  He chuckled, “Point taken. Both I guess.”

  I sighed, “I see Grayson, tomorrow during his interview. They now want to record it to post it on their website, as well. Something about people not reading magazines very much lately, so they’re extending their horizons.” I swirled my white mocha latte trying to focus my anxiety in the gesture.

  “And Anton?”

  “Next Thursday,” I huffed.

  “Well, Gabs,” Shawn started, sliding his finger through his hair. I knew his next comment wasn’t going to make me happy, “maybe you should let Grayson in on what’s going on and run away with him.”

  I couldn’t help but glare at him. “Yeah, Shawn. Great idea. Let me run away all the way to Madison Avenue,” I spat shaking my head. “He has a life here too, Shawn. Even if I did choose to be with him, it’s not like we could pick up and leave.”

  “Why not?”

  “He has a company to run and a life here. It all comes back to the same thing, Shawn. If I give him the option and he chooses the same one I’d choose for him, it would break my heart more than just choosing it for him.”

  “You got some issues, baby girl.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  Wednesday, Rachel and I were busy preparing for Grayson’s interview. Right after lunch I would have to head over to his building. He wanted to ride over to the interview together to discuss it. I was going to make sure it stayed strictly business by taking Rachel with me. I had tried to arrange the interview for him at his office but the magazine explained it was not possible. They would have to move over all their film equipment and set it up which would take hours for them to pull off, and Grayson couldn’t be locked out of his office that long.

  At twelve thirty, Rachel and I pulled up outside of Alexander Holding Incorporated. “So is the tension going to be as bad as last time?” Rachel joked. I had mentioned how awkward it had been when I had come here with Carol.

  “God, I hope not,” I mumbled.

  We made it to the top floor in record time. Stepping out of the elevator we were greeted by Grayson’s secretary. “Miss Carmichael, Mr. Alexander is expecting you.” The elderly woman behind the desk motioned for us to pass. His office door was open so we entered without knocking. Grayson’s eyes immediately locked on me. He sat at his desk not looking away. His stare ignited things inside me. Lust. Thirst. It had been too long I was forgetting what he felt like. What he tasted like.

  “Yup. No tension.” Rachel’s sarcasm blasted through my trance.

  “Mr. Alexander, we should be going. Your interview starts at one thirty.” I spoke while looking at my watch, noting the time.

  “I see we have no time for pleasantries, Miss Carmichael.” Standing, Grayson slipped his jacket back on. I stood in shock. I knew that suit. It was the one he was wearing the first time we met.

  “Shall I hail a cab?” Rachel asked.

  I spoke, “yes,” just as Grayson spoke, “no.” I glanced at him. He could see the confusion on my face. “I have a car waiting for us down stairs. Shall we?” He gestured toward the door. I nodded, following Rachel back to the elevators. I jolted slightly when I felt Grayson’s hand on the small of my back. Part of me wanted to turn around and yell at him. The other part wanted to lean into him absorbing the comfort he expelled. I did neither. I simply walked to the elevator as if nothing was wrong, even though I felt my restraint diminishing.

  The whole way down, Grayson’s hand did not leave my back. It was complete torture and yet I reveled in it. The ride down seemed to take so much longer than the ride up. Rachel stood in front of us, doing her best to ignore the tension mounting. The doors opened and I was out as quickly as I could without it seeming obvious. I waited by the glass doors for Rachel and Grayson to catch up. I glanced over my shoulder to see Grayson talking quietly to Rachel. Rachel nodded as they approached.

  “This way, ladies.”

  Outside on the curb sat a black sedan I recognized from the few times Grayson had John, his driver, take us somewhere.

  “It’s good to see you again, John,” I said politely to Grayson’s driver.

  He smiled at me. “The pleasure is mine, Miss Carmichael.”

  Grayson waved off John, opening the door himself. I slid in all the way to the opposite side. I turned as I felt the weight of the next person. My heart began pounding in my chest when I saw it was Grayson. My eyes shot forward watching Rachel get into the front passenger seat. I could not believe this! Had that been what they were whispering about? If not, what else could it have been?

  Unlike the ride in the elevator, Grayson kept his hands to himself and I couldn’t help but be disappointed. Soon, we arrived at the home of the CEO of America Magazine. We were ushered inside. Grayson was swooped away into a room with large glass window while Rachel and I were forced outside. I watched as they set him up and felt a twinge of excitement being allowed to watch him and it be acceptable. It almost looked like he was giving a television appearance instead of a magazine interview.

  “I’m sorry about the car ride, Gaby.” I turned to Rachel while she spoke. “He said he was nervous about the interview and that sitting by you would help calm him. I couldn’t say no.”

  Her words melted my heart. “It’s alright,” I sighed. Of course she couldn’t say no to him. Neither could I, and therein laid the problem with trying to stay out of a relationship with him when that’s all we both wanted.

  “So, Mr. Alexander, do you mind if I call you Grayson?” The interviewer asked.