Looking at the half-naked body in revealing lace underwear, I understand that even that primal attraction is gone. No trace was left as if nothing had happened between us yesterday.
"No!" he cut me off rudely, I can't lie.
The girl immediately jumped up to her things scattered on the floor, quickly pulled on her dress, and flew out of the apartment, slamming the door. Ease, that's what I felt after she left. How hard it is to live like this. I hope I'll find the killer soon. I no longer have the strength to live in a world without Elizabeth.
I climbed under the ice-cold shower. The cold jets could bring anyone to their senses, but not me. Nothing could help wake me up from the nightmare. It's just a pleasant coolness that gave me energy in my body but not in my thoughts.
I looked at my watch. I have an appointment with Villiers. Let's see what kind of offer this scoundrel has. I'm not interested in additional income at all, my own business is enough. But my intuition told me that I had to go. Besides, I have to live an ordinary life that doesn't arouse suspicion.
Yes, there are few hunters left, but in modern times, which do not limit the variety of weapons, you need to be on your guard and not let yourself be caught in the crosshairs. You can count the number of fighters on your fingers, but the knowledge of their ancestors that they carried through the years made future descendants strong rivals.
For ordinary people, wolves have gone from existing for centuries to being mythical. We are a legend and therefore we carefully guard the secret of our existence, for our own safety. If earlier ordinary people would have come at us with pitchforks and torches, now there is an opportunity to become guinea pigs for scientists to study an unusual phenomenon - immortality at will.
My every decision is guided by intuition, I am always careful, calm and cold-blooded. I have no right to make a mistake.
I put a lot of effort into searching for Ethan. But they did not give results, most likely my friend died. Otherwise, he would have found me. Which means I'm all alone in this world.
I chose the restaurant for the meeting. I don't like to negotiate in the office, a formal setting is not for me, with the exception of directors' or shareholders' meetings.
Hereford Road is one of the best restaurants in London, a real kingdom of food. An excellent hearty lunch is guaranteed. Just what you need with a wolfish appetite. The chef knows my preferences well, so the choice always falls on this cozy place.
Mr. Villiers is already waiting at a table by the window. Although the dishes here are exquisite, but inside there is none of the pretentious luxury that high society prefers. My business partner clearly does not like it.
"Hello, Mr. Villiers!"
"Christian, how many times do I have to say this, to you I'm just Clifford." I shook his hand and sat down opposite him.
"Okay, Clifford." I don't like this man, he's always looking for profit. You should be wary of those obsessed with money.
"I'll start with business."
I haven't even had time to place an order yet, and he's already talking about business. He put the menu aside, pretending to be interested.
"We've been doing business together for several months now. Delivering high-quality goods brings in a lot of profit, but my company is going through some difficulties, so I'd like to offer you some of my shares.
And what do I need them for? I'm not planning on expanding my company.
"I realize this is a bit unexpected".
"Quite unexpectedly," he emphasized the last word.
"I just don't want my life's work to fall into the wrong hands, so I chose you."
"And how many percent?"
"Twenty."
I see. He currently owns 50 percent, and the rest is distributed among other shareholders, so if I get twenty, he will still have the majority. Smart! But I'm not stupid.
"Sorry, but I'm not interested."
Villiers's eyes darted around. It looks like things are really bad.
"How much do you want?"
"An equal amount. Otherwise, I don't see the point in the deal."
He thought about it. I thought my offer would make him refuse to sell, but Clifford surprised me: "I agree."
He frowned, but not because he agreed so quickly. He felt her. His whole body tensed. His hearing caught the approach of footsteps, but he did not dare turn around. Only when she stood next to him, he raised his head.
Gillian stared at her father, narrowing her eyes. Her face was clearly displeased.
"There you are, my dear!" Villiers cooed.
Our hearts beat in time with each other. A distinct beat echoed in his ears. My fingers automatically squeezed the menu, I can not control my emotions. The devastation receded. I was torn apart by incomprehension.
I found salvation in the similarity of beautiful eyes. I peered into the depths, trying to regain my composure. When the storm of forgotten feelings that had swept over me died down, I managed to feign indifference.
"Please, take my place, my daughter, and keep Christian company. I received an urgent call, some problems at the company. And so I was delayed."
It seems she is about to make a scene.
"Is that why you called me?" she snapped, not caring at all about who would hear.
"Upbringing does not allow you to just up and abandon a friend."
Gillian looked at me and for some reason her anger turned to mercy. "Okay, father."
It was obvious how hard it was for Gillian to restrain the desire to tell her father everything she thought about this.
A plain blue T-shirt, light jeans and minimal makeup did not simplify her appearance one bit, on the contrary, they gave her image lightness and tenderness.
"Please excuse me. We'll get back to our conversation in the next few days."