The Man Who Has No Soul (Soulless 1)

He explored the spacious living room, and he seemed particularly impressed with the back wall, which was just floor-to-ceiling windows. It clashed with the traditional cabin look, but the view was unbelievable, giving a full panorama of the porch and the lake. He stared for a long time before he examined the large kitchen, the granite countertops and smart kitchen appliances.

“I knew you’d like a big kitchen since you’ll be cooking a lot. And that view…that’s where the sun sets, so every summer evening, you’ll get to see it.”

With his hands in his pockets, he continued to walk around. “Does it include the furniture?”

“My client has no need for it, so he’d like to keep it with the house. But if you want to replace everything, he’ll remove it.”

He nodded then moved upstairs.

I followed behind him.

He glanced at the extra bedrooms but spent most of his time in the master, studying all the details. It had a large bathroom with a walk-in shower, double sinks, and a tub with jets. He moved to the window next and looked at the lake. “I’ll make an offer.”

I came to his side. “You like it, then?”

He nodded.

“I could see you coming here on the weekends when you need a break.”

“I’ll keep the furniture. I just want the mattresses replaced.”

“Alright. We can add some touches to make it more personal. I can handle that for you.”

He turned his gaze to me, watched me the way he’d been staring at the lake just seconds ago. He didn’t say anything, just stared.

I never got used to those looks. He was the only person I’d ever met who looked at me that way, like he was so comfortable with me, he didn’t feel the need to say anything, that an intimate stare wasn’t intrusive. “I’m glad you thought of me.”

It just worked out that way. I had other clients who would die if they had the chance to get this place, but instead of giving it to them, I only had Deacon in mind. He was my favorite, so he always got special treatment.

He turned away and walked out. “I’ll give him his asking price.”

“I think you can get it cheaper.”

He stopped and turned back to me. “He was so accommodating, I’d rather just give him what he wants.” Then he kept walking.

I’d had to ask my client to hold this property as a favor to me, and if I returned to him and said he was getting every penny he asked for, he would see it as a mutual benefit. He was far more likely to do favors for me in the future, so Deacon had just helped me out a lot. “Alright.”

Seventeen

Deacon

I didn’t usually eat breakfast, and today had been no exception. So, when lunchtime came around, I was hungry. We were at the cabin for an hour, and now it was almost noon and we still had a long drive. I turned to Cleo, who sat with her legs crossed against the opposite window, her posture perfect despite being seated for so long. “Want to stop somewhere?”

“I don’t need to use the restroom.” She put her phone down so she could look me in the eye as she spoke.

“I meant to eat. Are you hungry?”

“I’m always hungry,” she said with a laugh. “But I can make it back to the city.”

I didn’t understand that response. She was usually a lot more direct. So, I tried again. “I’d like to get something to eat. Is that okay with you?” It made me appreciate all our previous conversations because she spoke in a language I could understand, and the second she didn’t, it was back to awkward conversations I hated.

She nodded like she finally understood. “That sounds nice.”

I told the driver to take us to one of the restaurants I found on my phone. It was a diner right before the craziness of the highways that led to the city. I didn’t want to find a place in town, with all the conversations and people.

The driver pulled into the parking lot, and we walked inside, finding a booth near the window. There was almost no one there, only the booth at the end of the restaurant filled with an elderly couple.

That was what I liked—lots of space.

Cleo picked up the laminated menu and looked through the selections. “Ooh…they serve breakfast all day.”

There weren’t a lot of options I liked, but I couldn’t make it back to the city without eating. By the time I got there and actually cooked something, it would be almost two. I’d probably get a headache.

“I’m getting the strawberry waffle with the bacon and eggs.” She set her menu on the end of the table.

I decided to do the same. I set my menu on top of hers.

“What did you decide on?”

“The same.”