3. Warrick

I t still amazed me that my brothers and I opened the 4 Horses. All these years on the earth and we finally turned the dream into reality. But this day to day crap is so dull, just thinking of what I have to do has my temples aching already. I longed for the battlefield and blood.

My first stop for the day is the security room for the hotel. Once I verify that Monte, the attendant on duty, is alert and all the monitors are working correctly, I start to bid him good day when my eyes stop on her.

In the middle of the lobby, a blonde in a dark cocktail dress strolls around. I order Monte to zoom in and he eyes me for a moment but does it. I notice the wonder in her eyes as she approaches the black horse statues that dominate most of the empty space. The crowds of people racing around her don't deter her from stepping closer to admire the horse.

I watch her with a strange fascination. Her beauty doesn't compare to that of any other woman I've ever seen. She's captivating, her presence demanding my attention. But it's more than that. The way she carries herself reminds me of a Greek warrior that my brothers and I fought alongside. It's been decades since I've seen a woman that I wanted to know more about.

Fuck, I am War, destroyer of millions, and I'm smitten from an image on a computer monitor? What the hell is wrong with me?

Shaking my head as if it will rid her from my thoughts, I return to my duties. Maybe the mundane will snap me back to reality.

Next stop is the cash office, before the meeting with the board and our special guests arrive.

My feet carry me to the nearest elevator. I sigh in relief when I see that it's blessedly empty. My plastered smile fades into my normal grimace. This happy facade is too much to bear some days, today being one of them.

I want to kick myself for getting onto a guest elevator as it starts to fill up with each new stop. Couple after smiling fucking couple step in, holding hands and all goo goo eyes at each other.

I find safety in the farthest corner of the elevator. At least until we stop on the sixth floor.

The doors slide open to reveal the knockout from the lobby. She offers no fake smile, simply joins the couples party. I love that she doesn't put on a fake grin like so many others. As her gaze lands on me, color fills her cheeks.

Do I affect her too?

Her blonde hair is loose around her shoulders, the blue streaks she added match the color of her eyes. I've seen plenty of dyed hair in my years here but she somehow makes it look classy and ethereal.

Then there's her ass. Fuck, I'd love to sink my teeth into that.

A quiet gasp leaves her lips, echoing erotically in my mind over and over again, until my cock strains so hard against my suit pants that I have to look away.

I attempt to train my gaze anywhere but at her, aiming it toward the numerous people surrounding me while I pretend my dick isn't painfully aware of her.

It's a lost cause. She's already invaded my senses.

The ping of my phone distracts me for a moment. I've never been happier to get interupted. I pull it from inside my jacket pocket, reading a message from Pyro.

Bro, meeting in ten. Where are you at?

I huff in annoyance at his unnecessary reminder and I quickly tap out a reply.

On it, heading to the cash office and then the meeting room. Are you wearing your pool attire or real clothes?

… Don't be jealous, you chose the suit life. I will throw on a shirt just for you.

The elevator stops at the lobby. I watch as the blonde ignores me, rushing off the elevator until she's lost to me in the crowd of people.

Another reminder why I took the suit life, as my dear brother mentioned, but flaunting my body didn't do it for me. I hate people, unless it is a bloody battle, then I love them. I love to behead them, disembowel them, anything that results in blood.

Fuck, the memory of blood and battle has my dick rigid again. I button my jacket to conceal it as I head to the cash office.

The moment I enter the room, all work stops and all the women's eyes are zeroed in on me.

Ashley, the head of this department, sassy as fuck with a mouth that rivals my own, stands up glaring at me.

Frank sure knows how to pick them, I'm glad that once their relationship ended, their friendship didn't.

"You're late. If you want to 'check up on us,'" she curls her fingers in the air, "then your ass better be on time. I have a schedule to keep, it doesn't matter that you're the boss. Next time you're late, keep your happy ass out. If there is an issue with the books or the cash, I will seek you out. Got it?"

Her little speech brings a smile to my lips. "That is why you are the perfect woman for the job, my dear. My apologies for my tardiness, I will be more punctual from now on." I dip my head in acknowledgment to hide the smirk on my lips.

"All is well, sir. Thank you for stopping in. Now, move your ass, I believe you have a meeting."

"Until tomorrow, my foul-mouthed temptress."

She laughs and says, "Keep on dreaming."

I wink at her. "Best not keep my brothers waiting."

Three hours later, the boring financial crap is finally over. I scoot my chair back from the table, shaking all of the board members' hands as I help my brothers usher them out. It's a formality I don't love but do for the sake of the business.

Drevi closes the door after the last one, sighing as he leans on it. "What the fuck is the point of a three hour meeting over the same old shit? I'm grateful they take their job seriously but this is some bullshit. I vote we meet once a month, not weekly, unless it's necessary. "

"I agree brother," I admit, rubbing my temples. "That was a total waste of time. Now if you will excuse me, I have a wall to hit my head on before I interview some potential new hires."

Pyro claps a hand on my shoulder. "Why not cancel? Take the day to relax? We all agree that out of the four of us, you work too hard. You are going to burn out, and that's bad for business. The last thing we need is a massacre to explain away."

That has a smile tugging at my lips. It sounds too good. He has me considering the offer for once.

"I'll have Angie clear my schedule for tomorrow. Relaxing for a day may just be the thing I need."

"We need to plan a brothers' weekend soon," Frank pipes in. "It's been too long since the last one. I'm sick of all these fucking people."

I barely register what he says, the need to tell them about her is too strong.

"I've found someone that piques my interest."

Their eyes snap to mine, questioning looks in all three.

"Do tell, brother," Drevi drawls as a devilish smile creeps onto his face.

I shrug. "Not much to tell. She's a stunning blonde that is staying on the sixth floor. I caught a glimpse of her on the monitors when I checked in on Monte. Then, I saw her again when she got on the elevator and watched her until she exited into the lobby. I have seen gorgeous women before, but there is something different about her."

My brothers break out into laughter, a mix of amusement and surprise. This isn't like me and they latch onto it right away.

With a smirk, I punch each of them on the shoulder.

"Don't forget I am the God of War. I'm always up for a good fight."