Beast Billionaire #2

  The doctor led her to a closed room that lay in the far right corner of the hospital. He opened the door and she stepped inside. The lights were off and the windows opposite the door were blocked by thick curtains, but she could make out the white sheets on the bed.

  The bed was empty.

  Maggie frowned and turned to the doctor. "What's going on? Where's my father?"

  The man stepped inside and locked the door. He turned to her with a crooked grin as he flicked on the lights. "Did I tell you I was going to take you to your father? How stupid of me. I meant to say I was taking you to have a private chat with me."

  Maggie's pulse quickened. Her eyes flickered to the door behind him. He chuckled and strode around the room until he stood opposite the door with Maggie between them. "Go ahead, try to escape."

  Maggie lunged at the knob and tried to wrench it open, but the door was stuck. She pounded her fists against the entrance. "Someone, please! Let me out!"

  The man's quiet chuckle forced her to look over her shoulder. He folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. "You're a sorry excuse for a werewolf, aren't you? You can't even sniff out a silence spell that blocks all noise in and out of this room."

  Maggie turned and pressed her back against the door as she frowned at the man. "A werewolf? I don't know-"

  "Don't lie to me," he snapped. He grabbed the head scarf and yanked the cloth off him. "I know what you are."

  Maggie's eyes widened as she beheld the red eye that was embedded in the man's forehead. It was the same eye as the one worn by the wizard killed by Adrian.

  The fake doctor chuckled again. "I'm glad to see you recognize the eye." He reached up and brushed his fingers over the eye. The thing didn't blink. "It's a symbol of our brotherhood, you know. A way to watch over one another, and to exact revenge."

  Maggie pressed her back against the door and shook her head. "But I didn't kill him!"

  The man dropped his hand to his side and glared at her. "No, but your mate did, and that's close enough for me. The Brotherhood may look the other way, but I won't let my brother's death go unavenged." He pulled a scalpel from his pocket. The silver blade shimmered against the weak fluorescent tube lighting. His shadow crept across the floor as he moved toward her. The red eye on his forehead glowed with a hellish light. "Now hold still and this will soon be over."

  Maggie yelped when there came a knock on the door. Both she and her captor froze. The young man frowned. "What the hell. . ."

  There came another knock. Maggie spun around and pounded on the door. "Please help me! Get me out of-"

  "Shut up!" the man snapped. He stalked toward her and wrapped one arm around her neck. The man pulled her back against his chest and pressed the blade against her throat. "I told you nobody can-"

  "Hear you," a voice finished on the other side.

  The man's eyes widened. "How the hell-" The door burst off its hinges and into the room. The entrance hit the man in the shoulder. He dropped the scalpel and stumbled backward.

  Maggie yanked herself free and dove against the wall to the left of the doorway. She spun around to face him, but glanced to her left as someone entered.

  It was Adrian, and he had a sly smile on his lips as he studied the fake doctor. "Did I interrupt your malpractice?"

  The man sneered at the werewolf. The third eye in his forehead narrowed. "That's rich coming from a mad dog that pretends he's human."

  Adrian stepped deeper into the room. The man backed up. The werewolf's yellow eyes glistened as he curled his lips back to reveal sharp fangs. "I admit I was careless in judging the eye's use, but you are far more stupid than I to challenge me."

  The man laughed. "My brother was careless, but I see you don't have your servant with you and this girl is a worthless bitch of a-" Adrian moved so fast he was a mere streak. One moment he was six feet away, and the next he stood before the man.

  Adrian wrapped his hand around the man's throat and lifted him off the tiled floor. The man choked and futilely pawed at Adrian's hand. The werewolf drew their faces close together and the fake doctor saw his terrified face reflected in those deep yellow eyes.

  Adrian curled back his lips in a snarl. "Your insult is one mistake you will not live to regret."

  Adrian opened his mouth and revealed two rows of long, sharp teeth. Maggie's eyes widened and she covered her face, but she was too late to miss all the goriness as the werewolf bit into the man's throat. A gargled scream poured from the stranger's mouth. He flailed around for a few moments before his body went limp.

  Adrian pulled his face away and opened his hand. The man's lifeless body crumpled to the floor. He turned and showed off his lower face that was covered in blood.

  Maggie gasped and slid out the door. She raced down the hall, not heeding in which direction she went in that rat maze of a building. The young woman rounded a corner and collided with a woman in a nurse's outfit. She threw herself at the normal human and pointed at the way she'd come.

  "Someone. . .someone's been murdered!" she gasped.

  The nurse's eyes widened. "Murdered? Ma'am, are you sure?"

  Maggie grabbed one of the woman's hands in both of hers and nodded as she dragged her down the hall. "Yes! You have to come with me! Please! You have to see it!"

  "Ma'am, wait a minute!" the nurse protested, but Maggie dragged her down the hall.

  They arrived at the room a few moments later. The door leaned against the frame and partially blocked the entrance.

  "What in the world happened here?" the nurse wondered.

  Maggie let go of the nurse's hand and hurried to the doorway. She looked inside the darkened room and froze. The room was empty. There wasn't a speck of blood on the floor.

  The nurse walked up to the door and inspected the broke entrance. "I wouldn't say this door was murdered, but it was certainly abused. I'm going to have to call this in to security."

  Maggie turned to her and shook her head. "I wasn't talking about the door!" She pointed at the interior. "There was a man murdered in this room! I saw it myself."

  The nurse studied Maggie and pursed her lips. "Are you here with a family member? Is there someone I can call for you?"

  Maggie started back and blinked at the woman. "You. . .you think I'm crazy, don't you?"

  The nurse shook her head and set her hand on Maggie's shoulder. "No, it's not like that, but I really should get you back where you need to be. Come along now."

  4

  The nurse led Maggie back to the waiting room where a doctor with a grim face met them. "Are you Miss O'Hara?" he asked her.

  Maggie's heart dropped into her stomach, but she nodded. "That's me."

  The doctor smiled. "I have some good news for you. Your father's going to be all right."

  Maggie's legs shook so hard the nurse helped prop her up. "You've had a long day," the nurse commented as she led Maggie to one of the chairs. She set her in the seat and smiled down at her. "Maybe that's what made you see what you thought you saw."

  Maggie pursed her lips and shook her head. "I know what I saw."

  The doctor arched an eyebrow. "What did you see?"

  Maggie opened her mouth, but a flickering glance between nurse and doctor warned her she wouldn't be believed. She snapped her mouth shut and pursed her lips. "I saw someone break a door. That's all."

  "Clear off the hinges," the nurse added.

  The doctor frowned. "I see. You'll have to give a description of this vandal, but right now would you like to see your father?"

  Maggie nodded. "Very much."

  The nurse led her through the maze of white halls and up a flight of stairs to her father's real room. An IV ran from a hung bag to his arm. Even against the white of the sheets and hospital gown he was ghastly pale, but he managed a small smile when she came into his room.

  The nurse gently touched her arm. "Please be brief. He needs his rest."

  Maggie nodded and the nurse stepped out, closing the door behind her. Her father one han
d as she took a seat in a chair beside his bed. She clasped it in both of hers and smiled down at him, but she couldn't stop the tears that welled up in her eyes.

  "Thought your dad was a goner, huh?" he teased.

  She shook her head. "Not at all. I just wasn't sure what I was going to have for breakfast tomorrow."

  He studied her face and chuckled. "You were always a terrible liar."

  She lowered her gaze to his hand. It looked so old and thin in hers. "The doctor said you were going to be fine."

  Her father turned his eyes to the ceiling and pursed his lips. "I won't have any piece of mind until that young man is found and my name cleared." Maggie's heart fell and the color faded from her face as she thought of the car she'd seen those many nights before. Her father tilted his head in her direction and furrowed his brow. "Is something wrong, Maggie? You look almost as pale as me."

  She shook herself and straightened. "I. . .I was just thinking of that man's car. It's so unique surely someone will find it."

  He nodded. "Yes, I believe the same. The car will be found, and hopefully the young man will be alive and well."

  Maggie pursed her lips and glanced to her left. A window looked out on the parking lot that sat two floors below them. Her eyes widened when she beheld the familiar form of Adrian's manservant, the man he called Albert. The servant strode away from the hospital and stopped at a black sedan. He turned so his back nearly leaned against the vehicle and clasped his hands in front of him like he waited for someone. She expected to see Adrian follow his servant or emerge from the car, but neither happened.

  Her father's voice brought her out of her gazing. "Are you still with me?" he teased.

  Maggie started and whipped her head to him. "What? Oh, um, yeah, sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew, but I guess I was wrong."

  He shook his head. "Your lying is still as bad as ever."

  Maggie patted his hand and stood. "I-I really should let you rest, or the nurse will drag me out of here."

  Her father sighed and leaned his head back against his plush pillow. "You're quite right, but when you're ready to talk about what's wrong I'll be here to listen, okay?"

  She smiled and nodded. "I promise."

  Maggie shut the door gently behind her and hurried down the hall. She emerged from the front of the hospital and spotted the black car. The dour servant still stood as stiff as a statue beside it. She hesitated for a moment and her eyes flickered around. The parking lot was not crowded, but a few people milled in and out of cars and the hospital. She swallowed her fear and marched up to the vehicle.

  Albert opened the door and in the shadowed interior she could make out the silhouette of Adrian. He leaned into the sunlight and smiled at her. "Good morning."

  Maggie stopped five feet short of the car and glared at him. "You're a monster."

  He shrugged. "I try, but would you like to come in? The seats are a very soft leather."

  She shook her head. "No. I want answers. Now."

  "It might be a wise idea to get inside. Your being seen with me once has already caused problems," he pointed out.

  She looked to Albert and held out her hand. "I want the car keys."

  Albert's eyes flickered to Adrian. He nodded, so the servant dug the keys from his pocket and tossed them to Maggie. She deftly caught them and stuffed them into her jeans pocket. Adrian scooted over and she slid in beside him. Albert shut the door and they were shrouded in faint shadow.

  Maggie glanced around the interior for a moment. Her eyes caught on a small brown package at Adrian's feet. The handle of the mirror stuck out one end.

  She turned her attention to Adrian and took a deep breath. "Did you kill that man?"

  Adrian leaned back and chuckled. "I don't know of many people who can survive a bite like that."

  "Did you kill him?"

  Adrian sighed and gave a nod. "I did."

  Maggie turned away and shut her eyes. A cold shudder ran through her body. "I didn't want you to kill him."

  He scoffed. "I did nothing more than what he promised to do to you." His eyes narrowed and took on a yellowish tinge. "And I never let anyone harm what is mine."

  Maggie whipped her head to him and glared at the man who wasn't a man. "You can't just own me like. . .like this car! I'm a human! A person with feelings, and sensibilities, and-"

  "Morals?" he guessed.

  Maggie relaxed and nodded. "Yes, with morals. That man needed to be taken to the police, not murdered."

  Adrian chuckled. "Do you think someone of that magical aptitude would have allowed the police to interfere, or given us a chance to even summon them?"

  Maggie scrunched her eyes shut and shook her head. She felt warm tears slide down her cheeks. "I don't know. I don't want to know. I don't want any-" She started back and her eyes flew open as she felt a finger brush against her cheek.

  Adrian leaned back and admired the single drop of tear on his finger. "The tears of an innocent maiden."

  She frowned. "What does that-" Adrian leaned down and pulled out the mirror. Now she was able to see the crack in the center. "What happened?"

  "You dropped it," he reminded her as he lay the mirror in his lap.

  Adrian held the tear above the crack. The liquid slowly slid off his finger and splashed onto the broken surface. The entire surface of the glass lit with a blue hue. The crack made a crinkling noise as it slowly closed.

  Then it paused and the entire glass shattered and flew over the interior of the car.

  Maggie yelped and jumped back. Adrian leaned back and threw his arm in front of his face. The glow vanished, and Adrian lowered his arm to find the glass was completely broken. Only a few jagged pieces remained along the rim. He ground his teeth together and growled.

  "W-what was that?" Maggie asked him.

  "A failure, and one that can be remedied now," he replied.

  Maggie frowned. "Not with me."

  Maggie spun around in her seat and grabbed the door handle. The glow of the mirror returned. A bolt of blue light flew from the bits of glass and stabbed her in the back.

  "Maggie!" Adrian yelled.

  Maggie's eyes widened and her mouth opened in a soundless scream. She fell backward. Adrian dropped the mirror and caught her to pull her into his arms. Her eyes closed and her head lolled to one side. He could see her erratic breathing as her face scrunched up.

  The door flew open and Albert stuck his head inside. Adrian whipped his head up. "Take us to Ficus!"

  Albert nodded and shut the door. He procured a duplicate key from his pocket and hurried into his seat. In a few moments they were speeding down the road.

  In the rear seat Adrian pulled Maggie into his lap and against his chest. Her spasms ceased, but her breathing was still fast and shallow.

  "Maggie," Adrian whispered. She shuddered and shook her head. He gave her a shake. "Maggie, wake up. You have to wake up."

  "No," she moaned as she rolled her head from side-to-side. "No, not the blood. Oh god, no. No! Don't kill him!"

  Maggie's eyes flew open. They were devoid of sight. The scream built up inside of her poured forth. It was a long, hollow wail that made Adrian flinch. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her so they faced each other.

  "Wake up!"

  5

  Maggie blinked. Her instincts told her to struggle in his grasp, but her efforts were weak. "Let me go!" she insisted.

  He shook his head. "Never, but tell me what you saw. What made you scream?"

  Maggie shuddered and turned her face away from him. "You. You were covered in blood. There was-" a sob escaped her lips, "-there was blood everywhere, and you were smiling." She whipped her head to him and tears slid down her cheeks. "You just stood there and smiled!"

  He gave her a solid shake. "It was a dream! Only a dream!"

  She shook her head and squirmed in his hold. "It wasn't a dream, it was the truth! You kill people without caring about it! You killed those men, and you probably killed Blake, and no my father's
going to go to jail for that!"

  Adrian frowned. "What about your father?"

  She paused her struggles and glared at him. "My father had a heart attack because the police came and accused him of Blake's disappearance! It's all your fault my father's in the hospital!"

  His shoulders fell and he pursed his lips. "I see."

  Adrian opened his hands. Maggie scooted back into her own seat and looked to the window. Her eyes widened as she watched the world pass by through the tinted windows. She patted her pocket and felt the hard impression of the key against her hip.

  Maggie looked to Adrian. "How are we moving?"

  His usual sly smile slipped onto his lips. "Albert always carries a spare key in case the need should arise."

  She glared at him. "You tricked me into this car, didn't you? It was all for my tears, wasn't it?"

  He shrugged. "I admit I needed your tears, but I would never pass up a chance for your company."

  She spun around and grabbed the handle. A few pulls told her it was locked. She frantically pressed the unlock button, but there was no familiar click. Maggie glanced over her shoulder to Adrian. "Let me out!"

  He shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't allow that, at least not yet. You see-" he leaned forward and picked the mirror from off the floor where he dropped it. The remaining bits of broken glass were blackened. "-I have a vested interest in this mirror being repaired. I was told the tears of an innocent maiden-your tears-could repair it. It appears I was misinformed, and I don't like that."

  "Then find someone else and leave me out of it!" she snapped.

  Adrian pursed his lips as he studied the broken mirror. "I wish it was that simple, but I'm afraid you're in the thick of it now. We must go see the good doctor and find out why he lied to me, and what exactly happened to you."

  The color drained from Maggie's face. "What do you mean?"

  He held up the mirror so the empty face stared at her. "As you know, this mirror is no ordinary trinket. The light that struck you came from the last bits of its magic that remained. We must find out what side-effects you may experience and how to return the powers to the mirror."