16. Christian

Chapter 16

Christian

C hristian paced his office impatiently waiting to hear news. His friend had been residing in California for the last year, but he was remaining here for a bit longer in light of this emergency.

Christian knew that the treaty put in place after the mayor’s death was a mistake, but they all needed to keep under the radar when he showed up dead. The cause of death may have been officially suicide, but the small town spoke.

A buzzer sounded on his freshly organized desk before his secretary’s voice chimed through.

“Mr. Landon is here to see you.”

Fucking finally.

He smashed the button. “Send him up.”

Tugging the picture out of his back pocket, he stared at the image again.

His stupid fucking brother. His dead stupid fucking brother. This picture had been found in his effects. It was one of thousands. They all had one center of focus. One person circled. Two words scrawled out.

My Bel.

Christian recognized the girl, he hadn’t been around her much, but when his friend got married to sell the image of taking up roots and being a family man, Christian had done his research. Just like he knew his friend ’s daughter, Hallie, was adopted, he was also aware of his friend’s step-daughter, Isobel. Why had Sebastian been obsessed with Isobel? Why did he have thousands of photos of her? There was nothing particularly attractive about her. She was too much for his taste and her face was boring, plain .

“Christian.” The falsely jovial voice cut through his thoughts, and he shoved the picture back into his pocket.

“Steve,” Christian acknowledged his friend, stepping forward and taking his hand. Part of him always regretted allowing this leach into his town, but it was too late now.

“It’s Stephen now.” The man’s soulless cerulean blue eyes glinted in the fluorescent lighting. His features were practically angelic; a chiseled jaw, perfectly sun-kissed skin, blonde hair with not a single piece out of place.

It was at odds with who Christian knew him to be. Evil incarnate. Christian knew his grimy past, it had come out years ago. How he was on the lamb for harming his first family. Stephen had killed his first wife and abused their daughter for years before she was found and taken away.

Stephen’s inherent immorality was one of the main reasons Christian wanted him around.

“Of course, I forgot you had changed it again. Is it still Landon?” Christian wasn’t unaccustomed to the man changing names, Stephen did it just as he changed clothes.

“Hah, no. I’ve decided to go back to my first name, my birth name if you will, as I will be reuniting with my first family soon. I’ll be going by Stephen Wick.”

Christian decided not to question the eccentric man. The photo was burning a hole in his pocket, and he weighed the pros and cons of bringing it up. “Your step-daughter,” he began.

Stephen’s lips curled up, a disgusting replication of a smile. “Ah yes, your brother’s obsession with her. ”

Christian slammed down the outrage that threatened to spill into his tone. He didn’t want to get on this man’s bad side. No matter how much he wanted him dead, Stephen was more useful alive. “Yes. Do you care what happens to her?”

“No. In fact, I have a wonderful idea.” This time the grin on Stephen’s face was real, but it was no less terrifying.

Christian’s lips tightened at the corners, resolving to once more work with the monster. Christian’s only remaining family—his brother—was dead. What more could he lose? “Do tell.”