Corporate Plaything

“Now, let’s try again. Where’s Joseph Vincent?”

“In the corner room. Next to the generator!”

Matt released him. The man slumped on the floor, whimpering in agony about his arm. He looked so pathetic, Matt itched to break his leg so he would have something else to moan about. Matt caught Justin’s eyes. His brother seemed to read his mind.

“Don’t.” Justin brushed past him. “Let’s go.”

Matt turned around and followed Justin. They strode along the dimly lit passageway until they found the corner room. Matt kicked it open. The low hum of the generator welcomed them. The place was dark.

Justin groped the sidewall until he found the light switch. What they saw sent waves of rage through Matt’s veins.

Joseph Vincent lay broken with his wrists chained on the generator’s pipe. He had been severely beaten and was unconscious. Matt swung Shadow Black and cut the handcuffs. Justin knelt and checked Anna’s father’s pulse.

“He’s very weak. I don’t think he will make it if we bring him to the hospital. We need Ralph.”

“Shall we bring him straight to Azura, then?” Matt asked. He tried to remember if there were any beaches near the Queens area. Any nymph could head to Netherworld as fast as a blink of the eye when they touched ocean water and evoked their magic.

“We should be hasty.” Justin carefully lifted Joseph Vincent’s head.

Matt gritted his teeth.

“What’s the matter?” Justin asked.

“I’m going to kill Koleniskov.”

Chapter Seven

One week later

Justin pushed the remote to close the blinds on his office windows and leant back in his chair, watching Matt scrutinise the documents in front of him. Today was the last day for him and his brothers to be on the surface world. After sunset, they would drive to the beach and head to Azura.

Matt put down the papers. “All seems to be in order.”

“No regrets whatsoever?”

“This stupid company? You’re kidding me? You know I’m not fond of this surface world.”

Justin snorted. He knew that too well. Matthew loathed living in the heart of the human population. “Well, sign it and we’re all set.”

Matt plucked the pen from his jacket pocket and scribbled some loopy signature on the paper. “There.” He pushed the documents across the desk.

Justin took it and skimmed it one more time. He and Ralph had signed the sale agreement of the Martel Design House to Takaya Corp, the company who ran the biggest department chain in Asia. With Matt’s signature, their company was no longer theirs.

Originally, Justin was thinking to leave everything behind after they brought Joseph Vincent to Azura. He and his brothers had already got what they wanted and their future awaited at home with their new bride. With second thoughts, Justin felt he couldn’t leave the company that employed more than sixty people without any explanation. His employees’ daily bread depended on him.

The day after they brought Anna’s father to Azura, Justin returned to New York and received a lucrative offer from Takaya Corp. The giant department chain company wanted to exclusively carry all Martels’ lines for the worldwide market.

Justin had a better idea. He offered them the sale of Martel Design House, saying that he and his brothers wanted to retire early. Takaya Corp snatched up the offer without a second glance. Starting next week, his employees would have new bosses. Justin was assured they would be fine under the new management. One of the clauses in their sale agreement that Justin demanded was that no downsizing was allowed. And as far as the profit from the sale of Martel Design House and all of their combined assets, everything would go to more than a dozen charity groups across the globe. He and his brothers had no need for human money in Azura.

Matt rose from his seat and walked towards the window. He peered at the cityscape beyond between the blinds and drew a deep breath of what sounded like profound satisfaction. Matt had disappeared for a few days after they took Joseph Vincent to Azura.

When his brother returned, he didn’t say anything, but from the look on his face, Justin guessed he had just settled the score with Koleniskov. Justin didn’t ask and he didn’t want to know what had really happened either. As much as he wanted to keep Matt out of trouble on the surface world, he couldn’t deny Matt’s true nature. He was a suleeh, the punisher, and his brother took it personally when someone hurt people he held most dear. After all, Joseph Vincent was soon to be their father-in-law.

“When Anna’s coming back?” Matt asked. He loosened his tie and took off his jacket.

“Soon, I suppose. Ralph’s only taking her shopping downtown.”

Matt leaned against the blinds, crossing his arms on his chest, sighing. “I can’t wait…”