Buying Beth

“It’s just Beth,” I croak, and instantly wish a hole would open up below me so I could fall into it and die.

Seriously, I’ve never been boy crazy or anything. Why is this handsome stranger having such an effect on me?

It’s kind of annoying and pissing me off.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Beth. My men call me Lucifer, but you may call me Matthew,” he smirks.

I nod, but he doesn’t look like a Matthew to me. No, he pretty much embodiments the name Lucifer.

Beautiful, dangerous, powerful.

Someone not to underestimate.

He turns those piercing eyes of his onto Charlie. “And this must be little Charlie.”

Charlie bobs his head up and down, and then I sense him taking a step back as Johnathan takes a protective step forward.

“We ready to do this?” Johnathan asks.

Lucifer’s smirk sharpens and his eyes glitter with amusement again as he looks at Johnathan. “Yes, Johnathan. By all means, let’s begin.”

Lucifer takes another step into the room and behind him walks in another man with a little boy.

The little boy steps up to stand beside Lucifer and he looks almost like a little replica of him. He’s dressed in a white dress shirt, black slacks, expensive black shoes, and his golden blonde hair has been brushed back.

The boy can’t be more than eight or nine, yet he carries himself in way that I’ve only seen in men much older.

“I think it would be in everyone’s best interest if the children were not present for the conversation about to take place. Charlie, would you like to go play in the next room with my son Adam?” Lucifer asks.

I glance down at Charlie. He peers at Adam with a mix of open curiosity and serious apprehension. Honestly, I can’t blame him. Adam doesn’t look like the kind of boy who likes to play.

Johnathan lays a reassuring hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Come on, I’ll walk you over.”

I force a happy smile for Charlie as Johnathan peels him away from me, not really giving the little guy a choice. A part of me wants to keep Charlie here with me, where I know I can protect him, but Lucifer is right.

The conversation we’re about to have is not one for little ears.

Charlie walks stiffly beside Johnathan and casts one last worried look at me over his shoulder before disappearing through the door.

My protective instincts are at odds. I want him with me, yet I also want him gone.

Hell, I’d happily go play in the next room myself if it was offered.

“Coffee?” Lucifer asks, drawing my attention back to his features.

I nod my head. “Yes, thank you.”

Lucifer motions to the chairs and I take the cue. Everyone starts to settle in. Simon comes forward to sit in the chair beside me. Lucifer takes his position behind the desk. James prepares my coffee and brings it over to me, while his companion remains oddly silent.

“Thank you,” I tell James, and take my first sip just as Johnathan returns.

Johnathan takes a long look around the room and comes to stand behind my chair instead of taking the open chair beside me.

He lays a protective hand on my shoulder and I’m instantly grateful. I know what they want to know and I’m not looking forward to reliving any of it.

“Miss Norton,” Lucifer starts, addressing me from behind his desk. “I know this must be difficult for you, but it would be immensely helpful if you could tell us the events that took place the night you were taken from Johnathan’s parking lot.”

I take another fortifying sip of my coffee and lift my eyes to meet his. The way he just so tactfully said that it was almost like he meant it… yet it’s not quite sincere enough for me to believe it.

All eyes are on me and I feel the pressure to start spitting out all the gory details.

But first, I just have to know, “Why?”

Lucifer blinks his eyes at me and leans back in his seat almost as if he’s surprised by my response.

But then a slow, charming smile curves along his lips. “Miss Norton, don’t doubt for a moment that we’re on the same team here. We both want the same thing—”

“I want justice,” I cut in, interrupting him.

Or do I want revenge? Either will do.

Johnathan squeezes my shoulder again, and I’m not sure if it’s because he’s trying to reassure me or warn me, but I can’t stop now. Before I rip myself open again and bare myself to these men, men I don’t know but who obviously expended a lot of resources to rescue me, I need to know what they will do with what I give them.

“For Lindsey,” I add, my voice starting to crack.

Her face flashes in my mind, but I push it away.

I take a deep breath and steel myself. “For my friends and for myself.”