Downworld

Chapter 33

'Excuse me, Mr. Glen?' a secretary who didn't actually work for me asked. 'There's a woman her to see you. She says she's your cousin-in-law.'

The secretary actually worked for the CEO of one of Malik's companies. I was doing my quarterly check in with them, because there was still money to be made. I didn't want anyone thinking that I wasn't still looking over their shoulder and making sure they earned every cent they were being paid. So there I was, in an office building that I didn't own, with a secretary who didn't work for me -- and that I only knew because I flirted with her when she brought in the coffee -- telling me Afra was in the lobby.

I looked to the CEO -- who I was almost sure was more or less as morally bankrupt as I was, which meant I didn't trust him as far as I could throw him in anything other than being a greedy shark -- and asked him if I could borrow his office a moment. He fought down the irritated blush, and politely agreed.

Isamu and I filed into the office -- which was big enough to put some of the rooms in the Glen's castle to shame -- and a moment later, there was Afra in a skimpy black dress, fondling the CEO's furniture with a predatory smile. If she'd brought anyone with her, she'd left them outside; no doubt she figured my reputation in the above couldn't take the hit it I decided to murder her during this meeting.

She was trying to say that she could find me wherever I went. She was trying to scare me. It wasn't working. The worst she could do was kill me, and she wouldn't dare do that.

After a while, she sat and stopped pretending to be ignoring me. 'I know what you're doing.'

I didn't stop myself from rolling my eyes. 'What exactly is that, Afra?'

'Downworld won't be brought down by one rogue guardian.'

'If that's what you think, there's nothing for you to worry about, is there?'

Her grin turned smug. 'I wonder what Malik will think; when he finds out the money you stole from the Silent Lady and his father.'

'I never stole anything from Daud, he gave me license to do as I liked.'

'And in return, you made Malik King of the Glen.'

'How about you get to the point, Afra? If you're here to offer me something, you must know by now that you have nothing I want.'

'I just thought you deserved a warning. You are family after all. Though I doubt you'll be smart enough to take it and disappear before it's too late.'

'And what exactly are you going to do? You can't take the Glen on your own. You can't even take me on your own because even if Malik wanted to get rid of me, half his household were my family and friends before they were his sworn servants, and even if they are pissed at me, they're not going to let you touch me.'

'It's a shame you're such an idiot, in other circumstances, you'd have been a brilliant guardian.'

'And doomed to be a slave to someone like you. I'd rather be dead.'

She stood and turned to the door. 'Soon enough.'

Once the door had closed behind her, I stood up, and looked Isamu in the eyes. 'You're not to tell Malik about that.'

'She threatened you,' Isamu pointed out. 'Malik would want to know.' Unfortunately, almost all my household would be behind Isamu if he decided to lock me up for my own safety, and those that wouldn't be would mostly be too busy doing other things. Fortunately, Isamu had a hard time saying no to me, and if I could convince him, the others would fold as well.

'It's not the first time.'

'Cause that makes it better?'

'I don't want to worry him unnecessarily,' I said, putting on my best earnest face.

Isamu rolled his eyes. 'Fine. But when you fight about this, I'll be on his side.'

'Fair enough.'

'I take it this means we're speeding up your time line.'

'That's exactly what it means. We need to do something in case she does decide to try get to Malik. Once we act, anything she says will just seem like a tactic.'

'I thought you said she had nothing on you.'

'Nothing true. I'm sure she could think of something that would play on Malik's insecurities. Doesn't matter though. We'll do it tomorrow.'