A Demon’s Touch by Ella Jade

Chapter 3

Angelo

Coming down the main staircase, I glanced out the front windows. My morning had been full of business deals and stock trades. I had only been without Duke a few days, but my world didn’t slow down. I needed an attorney, and I needed her now.

When I called Whitmore, Sterling, and Richards, my request for a replacement surprised them. Calvin had tried hard to talk me out of my choice, but in the end, I got what I wanted. I always did. Without my revenue, there would be no firm.

“David.” I turned to find my trusted servant standing behind me. “Is everything in order?”

“Ms. Whitmore is coming up the access road now. I’ll greet her when she arrives.”

“Perfect.”

“You can show her where she’ll be working and then bring her to me.”

“Bring who to you?” Terra joined us in the foyer. “Are we expecting a guest?”

“Terra.” I dreaded telling my companion about my new attorney. She would find out in a matter of minutes, but I wanted to avoid the drama over her reaction.

“Who’s out there?” She looked out the window, resting her head on my shoulder as Harper pulled into the driveway.

“My new attorney.” I pointed toward the hall. “Come with me.”

“You’ve replaced Duke already?” She followed me into my study, shutting the door behind her. “Isn’t it a bit soon?”

“My business moves fast. Duke wouldn’t have wanted me to lose money or investments.” I took a seat at my desk, checking the stock market from my phone. “Besides, he would definitely approve of his replacement, considering it’s his niece.”

“Really?” She came around my desk and glanced out the front window. “That’s her?”

“Be careful, sweetheart. Jealousy is not a good look for you.”

“She’s a bit young, isn’t she?”

“Compared to us, I guess so.”

As far as the world knew, I was forty. I could pass for younger but for business reasons, it made sense for me to be in my fourth decade. It would explain how I’d made so much money in a reasonable amount of time.

“She’s a little thin, not as curvy as you like.”

“Terra, she’s my attorney.”

Terra had been with me for the last ten years. She hadn’t made it through the angel academy, and like other fallen angels, she ended up here. None of the others had ever stayed as long as she had, and that was mainly because I bored easily. It was Terra’s wicked streak that had intrigued me, so I allowed her to stay on and recruit other angel drop-outs. She’d been an asset through the years, but lately, she had become comfortable and with complacency came disrespect and defiance.

I didn’t like it.

“Why her?”

“It’s a favor to Duke.”

“You’re going to risk your business on an inexperienced attorney as a favor to your dead one?”

“I know she can learn what I need.”

“That’s what worries me.”

“I’d like you to take the others out for lunch and shopping today.”

“You want us out of the house?”

“I want you all to go shopping and to lunch.” My voice vibrated off the walls. “Don’t make me say it again.”

“Don’t be upset with me.” She rubbed my shoulders. “I’m looking out for you.”

“It isn’t your job to look after me.”

“Isn’t it? How else would you fill your bed?”

“You’re in an aggressive mood today.” I spun in my chair to face her. “I don’t care for it.”

“I don’t care for your new attorney.”

“That’s not your concern.” I glared at her.

“I didn’t think you’d replace Duke so quickly.”

“It’s also not your job to worry about my business.”

“I’m not sure what my job is these days.”

I sensed Harper’s presence just outside the door. Her anxiety poured out of her in large doses. We’d have to work on that, but the last thing she needed was to deal with Terra, not on Harper’s first day here.

“Leave.” I snarled low enough for her to hear. “Now.”

“I hate you.”

That wasn’t true. As an empath, I would know.

When she thrust open the door, David and Harper were on the other side waiting for me. Terra’s anger intensified as she blew down the hall. I’d have to get her under control before she turned my home into chaos. If anyone could create mayhem, it was me, although I hadn’t intended to set Terra off.

I stood from my chair as David entered the study. Harper was far too apprehensive to move. This endeavor would be a work in progress, as I intended to put her Yale degree to good use.

“Please come in.” I came around the front of my desk to greet them.

When she stepped out from behind David, I took in her eloquent style. Her periwinkle dress was a wise choice for this spring day. The matching heels accentuated her toned legs and calf muscles. Terra was wrong. Harper wasn’t too thin. Her form appeared healthy and well-maintained.

“Ms. Whitmore.” When our gazes met, her worry subsided. I’d piqued her interest. “I’m so glad you could come on such short notice. You don’t know how happy that makes me.”

“Your request surprised me. There are so many more qualified attorneys at the firm.”

We’re going to have to work on your confidence.

“Not that I can’t do the job, but your request caught me off guard.”

“I want you.”

She closed her eyes, zoning out of our conversation. David shrugged as I moved closer to her. She seemed to be lost in a thought. Interesting…it was a lustful thought. My favorite kind.

Her cheeks flushed a rosy-redwhile her pulse quickened at her neck. She took in a long gulp of air as she mindlessly twisted her long, dark curls around her finger. As she let out her breath, her green eyes shot open. She looked around the study, confusion ruling her emotions.

Her face turned pale as she leaned toward me. I held out my arms just in time for her to fall into them.

“That didn’t take long.” David adjusted the throw pillows on the couch as I carried Harper across the room.

“I can’t help it if I have that effect on women.” Now was not the time to tell him I’d subtly inserted myself into her dreams this past weekend and that might be the reason she fainted. “It’s in my nature.”

“Hmm.” He grinned.

I set Harper on the couch as her eyes fluttered. She tried to sit up, but I pressed on her shoulder to keep her down.

“Take it slow,” I said as David poured her a glass of water from the pitcher in the corner of the room.

“I’m sorry.” She sat up and took the water from David. “I think I got a little overwhelmed.”

“I can be overwhelming.” I nodded toward David, indicating it was time for me to be alone with my attorney. “Thank you for taking such wonderful care of Ms. Whitmore while I was occupied.”

“It was nice meeting you, Harper.” David left the room, shutting the door as he went.

She sipped her water, taking in her new surroundings. Hell, her emotions were all over the place. Curiosity, anxiety, uncertainty, fear…How was I ever going to concentrate with all this clutter? Duke was such a calm man.

“Why me?” she asked.

“You’re having a tough time with that question, aren’t you?”

“I’m the most inexperienced attorney at the firm. You could have had someone with more qualifications. Your choice makes little sense.”

“It makes sense to me.” I retrieved a file from my desk. “I’d like you to look over this contract for me. I’m supposed to have it back to the seller this afternoon, so it should take priority.”

“You’re not going to answer my question?”

Persistence? That wasn’t a terrible quality to have, especially for my attorney. “Why you?”

“Yes.”

“Maybe that’s a question you should ask yourself, Ms. Whitmore. I already know my answer.” I handed her the contract. “Shall we get down to business?”

* * *

Three hours later,we sat across from one another at the dining room table. Her nerves had settled once she began working, which made it easier for me to focus. After we completed the contract and negotiated my terms to the seller, I suggested we stop for lunch.

“It was very kind of you to invite me to lunch.” She placed her napkin on her lap.

“Duke ate here often.” I poured her a glass of water. “He also spent a few nights a week here.”

“He did?”

“Yes, didn’t your firm mention that?”

“No.” She fidgeted with her hands. “Why would he stay here?”

“My business is constant. I often keep late nights and require my lawyer to be on hand. I have a guest bedroom where you can stay.”

“Like your other house guests?”

“No, not at all.” How bold of her to bring up the others. “Your time will be well compensated.”

“I’m not comfortable with that.”

“Being well compensated?”

“Sleeping here.” She sipped her water. “I’ll be accessible to you by phone or email. I’m sure we can figure it out.”

“I need a full-time attorney. Sometimes that requires twenty-four hours. Other countries don’t keep the same time as us, and if I’m investing in huge corporations, I need my lawyer present. I thought Calvin made the terms clear.”

“He said I should give you what you want.”

“That’s probably because I’m responsible for bringing in seventy-five percent of their revenue.” Because of my retainer, the firm could focus on more charitable acts of defense and pro-bono cases. Duke let his partners do as they pleased with the firm, and he centered on me.

Greta, my trusted friend, came into the dining room with our plates, featuring her chicken salad on freshly baked bread and a side of fruit.

“Such a lovely presentation, Greta.” My long-time cook never disappointed.

“Thank you.” She focused on Harper. “Sorry, I didn’t give you a proper hello when you came in. I was cooking, and I zoned out. It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Whitmore.”

“Please, call me Harper.”

“I was very fond of your uncle.”

“He was very fond of your cooking,” I said. “We all are.”

Greta smiled with pride. “Will you need anything else, Mr. St. Christian?”

“I believe we have everything we need.” I glanced at Harper. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, it looks delicious,” Harper said. “Thank you.”

“Will you be joining us for dinner?” Greta asked.

“Not tonight.” Harper stared at me with her wide, green eyes, and I sensed the defiance in them. “I have plans.”

I could respect her boundaries, but she’d have to respect my demands if this arrangement was going to work.

“Another night then.” Greta turned toward the kitchen. “Enjoy your lunch.”

“I didn’t mean you should spend the night tonight,” I clarified. “Just that you should be prepared in the event I need you here.”

“I’ll consider it with some notice.”

She popped a grape into her mouth, and I couldn’t take my gaze away from her luscious pink lips. Her unassuming demeanor intrigued me. She didn’t know how she tempted me. Honestly, I didn’t know why I was even letting her do that.

“I’ll accept that.”

“Does anyone ever tell you no?”

“Not if they want to keep their job.”

“I…” Her cheeks flushed that alluring shade of red. “You’re teasing me.”

“Eat your lunch.”

“Does Greta live here?”

“Yes, David too.”

“Have they been with you long?”

“Yes.” If I told you how long, you’d never believe it. “They’re my family.”

“Do you have any other family?”

“No.” I bit into my sandwich because I wasn’t willing to talk about that.

“I have Kiki. We’re close.”

“Your parents travel quite a bit, don’t they?”

“For as long as I can remember.”

“Duke mentioned their work to me.”

“Ah, yes, their important work. It kept them away most of my life or at least it felt that way.”

“That bothers you.” Resentment radiated from her, white and hot in her gut.

“It used to, but I’ve accepted it. Their work is important even if it took them from me and Kiki.”

“Hmm.” She was either lying to me or herself. “That may be true but tending to their children is also important.”

“This bread is incredible.” She wiped the corner of her delectable mouth with the napkin before setting it back on her lap. “Greta is an amazing cook.” Now she was deflecting. Perhaps our lacking parents could create some common ground between us, although her family dynamic couldn’t possibly be as twisted as mine.

“She takes care of me.”

I wouldn’t press her about her parents. I didn’t enjoy talking about mine either. Of course, mine weren’t working on curing cancer. My mother had fallen for a demon and paid the ultimate price. My past wasn’t exactly lunch conversation. Hell, it wasn’t a conversation for anytime.

“How are things going at the firm?” I asked.

“Pretty mundane until this morning.”

“I’m going to change all of that for you.” Duke had shared his worries with me over his niece’s future once he was gone. He’d hoped to have more time with her to help her realize her full potential, but I suspected he knew his time in this life was ending. “Your uncle had a lot of faith in you.”

“He was my biggest champion.”

“He had superb instincts.”

“I don’t want to disappoint him.”

My ability allowed me to sense her mourning, and in return her emotions left a dark void inside me. Perhaps I hadn’t properly grieved Duke. I missed our conversations, having dinner with him, and watching old movies late into the night.

“I want to prove him right. I want to be the lawyer he thought I could be.”

“Stick with me, and you’ll be the ‘Whitmore’ in Whitmore, Sterling and Richards.”

“You requested me as a favor to him.”

“I requested you because there is no one other than Duke’s favorite niece who I’d want to represent me.”

She relaxed as I spoke, but I didn’t want to mislead her into thinking this was going to be a simple position. I am a complicated man.

“This will be a demanding job. I’m difficult at best, and you don’t want to see me at my worst.”

She pushed her plate away from her.

“I have faith in you because your uncle did, and that’s enough for me.”

“It sounds like I have some big shoes to fill.”

“I don’t need you to be your uncle, but I do need you to get rid of all of this self-doubt.”

“You sound like Duke.”

The giggling in the hall accompanied by the footsteps against the hardwood floors halted the conversation. Harper shifted in her seat, almost as if she expected the storm headed our way.

“A late lunch?” Terra barged in with the others behind her. “I thought for sure you’d have your new attorney trapped in your study all day.”

“I didn’t expect you back so early.” I scowled at her. “The shopping went well?”

“Doesn’t it always when it’s your money?” Terra turned her attention to Harper. “How is he treating you?”

“Very well.” Harper tucked her hair behind her ear.

“That doesn’t surprise me. Angelo is all manners in the beginning.”

I was aware of the amusement in the other women’s emotions, but they wouldn’t dare defy me by laughing at Terra’s rude behavior. I stared at them until they dispersed. Having one obstinate angel in the room was plenty.

“I’m Harper Whitmore, Angelo’s attorney.”

“I’m Terra Caldacot.” She smirked at me. “What exactly am I?”

Homeless. “Terra helps around the house.”

“A housekeeper?” Harper asked, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“More of a personal assistant-slash-companion,” Terra clarified, her irritation growing by the second. “Wouldn’t you say, Angelo?”

“Harper, do you think you can call for the status of that London deal?” I checked my watch. “It’s nearing evening there, but they will take a call from you.”

“Sure.” She placed her napkin on the table and motioned toward her plate. “Can I bring this to the kitchen?”

“Terra will get it.” I nodded as the rage bubbled from my personal assistant-slash-companion. “I’ll meet you in my study in a few minutes.”

Harper hurried from the dining room without acknowledging Terra any further. Good for her.

“She’s no match for you,” Terra said. “She’s certainly no match for me.”

“Stop,” I growled.

“She can’t handle what you are.”

When I bolted out of my chair and came toward her, she backed away. Perfect instincts. “I should have put you in your place this morning.”

Her smug expression turned to worry.

“You know you’ve crossed a line.” I continued to advance toward her until her back was against the wall.

She shook her head, but she couldn’t deny her panicked emotions. Not from me. I was cursed with the gift of knowing every reaction around me even when I didn’t want to. I tried to keep to myself, but it was impossible.

“Harper is off-limits. Are we clear?”

“How can I avoid her? I live here.”

“For now.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means you’ll watch your tone with me, and you’ll avoid Harper. You make her uncomfortable, and I won’t have that.” I turned and walked back to the table.

“What is this human to you?” She followed me.

I didn’t owe her an explanation. I set the topics of conversation as I saw fit.

“Make sure the others know to leave her alone.” I pushed in my chair, stepping closer to her. “There will be consequences. That’s a promise.”

She sucked in a breath when I ran my finger along her jaw. “I’ll expect a fashion show later this evening. You and the others can show off your new wardrobes.”

She gripped the handle of the bag she held and kept her emotions under control.

“That’s better.” I strode toward the door because I was eager to get back to my attorney. “There’s no reason for confrontation.”

“If you think we can all co-exist, we’ll be fine.”

“I never said that.”