Marked for Darkness

Rex had seen the hesitation in her eyes last night. But then he’d felt her lips against his and the way her body relaxed into his, and he had been confident she’d warmed up to him. If it hadn’t been for that damn fire alarm, she’d have been his.

His virgin.

Fuck.

His dick leapt to attention at the idea. Recalling her slender, perfect body. Full, creamy breasts and the prettiest pink nipples he’d ever seen. The way she eagerly arched into him and her cries as she orgasmed on his finger. Her greedy little cunt squeezing him so hard he nearly nutted his trousers just imagining it squeezing his cock instead.

Rex sighed as he stood in the elevator, massaging the crease that marred his forehead. He pulled his phone out to send another text but paused when the elevator door dinged open. She still hadn’t answered him, but it was only seven in the morning. He didn’t know why he felt so desperate to claim her. To have her beneath him as he took her over and over while she cried his name.

Get a fucking grip, you’re not going to die without pussy, he chided himself. So why did he feel so…panicked?

Sweat beaded his brow as he stepped out into the lobby and met…chaos. Staff flurried about with anxious expressions, along with curious tenants standing around a bulletin near the front doors.

Several of the front desk workers glanced up at Rex, one of them with a phone glued to the side of his head. Their gazes darted away just as quickly. Sure the fire had probably freaked people out and there would be a bit of repairs needed, but this…this was something more.

“What in the blazes…” Rex strode over to the congregation, peering easily over their heads at the sign posted.

Property under new management: effective immediately.

All tenants will be issued a two-week eviction notice due to health hazards found that could prove fatal.

We apologize for the inconvenience,

Kalvar Management Inc.

Rex blinked as a surge of heat shot through him. They were all being…evicted?

“Mr. Almstad,” a man greeted from behind him. Rex turned, noting Jeffery Hollis, the now former owner of the apartment building. Rex had seen him around from time to time and even served the guy in his pub once or twice. His usually crisp suit looked wrinkled, his tie crooked. The rotund man’s head was bald on top with dark hair on the sides that looked as though he’d been running his fingers through it incessantly. A fine sheen of sweat coated his wrinkled forehead. And in his sausage-like hand, an envelope, extended for Rex.

“What health hazards could there possibly be that would force everyone out in such a hurry? Surely the fire wasn’t that bad,” Rex said, not bothering to take the letter that no doubt detailed the terms of his eviction.

Mr. Hollis pulled a kerchief from his coat pocket and dabbed at the beading perspiration. Rex could smell it, but he forced himself not to wrinkle his nose.

“I was not made aware of the details I’m afraid, Mr. Almstad. The fire damage was fairly extensive but nothing a bit of work wouldn’t fix.” His thick grey eyebrows were stitched together, resembling a large caterpillar. “I only received an offer on the building last night, and this morning the sale was finalized, as was an order of eviction issued on the entire building. It’s being condemned as I understand.”

Rex’s brows dipped in confusion. “I hadn’t realized the building was for sale.”

Mr. Hollis shook his head as he dropped the hand that still clutched Rex’s letter. With the other hand he stowed his damp handkerchief back into his jacket pocket. “It wasn’t, but as it goes in business, everything is for sale for the right price. And after the fire, I supposed it was best to allow someone else to take over the damage.”

Rex’s jaw tightened. “Not everyone will have somewhere to go so quickly.”

The man bobbed his head in understanding, though he had the good sense to look uncomfortable. Behind them, shouts and angry voices rose up. Rex glanced to the front desk. People pushed up against it, holding their torn open letters with varied levels of outrage, one woman cried as she clutched a boy no older than three in her arms. The sight made Rex’s teeth grind together.

“I didn’t know the building would be knocked down when I sold it,” Mr. Hollis confessed, his eyes assessing the uproar with mild concern. “What’s more,” he added, thrusting Rex’s letter back so he had no choice but to take it. “We had an inspection only a few weeks ago and the entire building was up to code. Yet the fire department claims there was a faulty wire that started the fire.” With that, the old man sighed and strode away. It was no longer his building, no longer his staff, therefore there was nothing he could do but get out of everyone’s way.

Rex’s skin felt tight as he unlocked the back door to the pub and pushed the door open. Hayley met him at the door, clutching a piece of paper tightly, her face flushed. As he looked at it, he realized it was an envelope. His nostrils flared.

“Where have you been, I’ve tried calling your cell like ten times!”

Rex blinked. “I’m only ten minutes late, what’s the problem?”

A few blond strands had already come loose from her bun that brushed her pinked cheeks as she pressed the crinkled envelope to Rex’s chest. “This was nailed to the door when I got here.”

Rex turned it over, noting that it was addressed to him, but that wasn’t strange. What was strange was the stationary the letter inside was posted on.

Watermarked in the top left corner, it read Kelvar Management Inc.

Another surge of heat rushed through his veins and his fingertips felt as though they might shoot flames at any moment. His hands trembled as he read the letter twice. An offer of purchase. Eighteen million dollars.

His breaths came faster.

Eighteen million dollars.

That far exceeded what the property was worth.

Yet it did seem odd that his apartment building was purchased, and now, an offer had been made on the pub.

“What does it say?” Hayley asked, wringing her hands.

Rex balled the paper in his fist, tamping down on the rising flood inside him. He released a long, slow breath before flashing Hayley a reassuring smile.

“Just an offer placed on the property, I get them all the time.” Which wasn’t exactly true. He’d received a handful of modest offers in the eight years he’d managed the pub. None compared to this one, however.

He brushed past Hayley, ignoring her suspicious expression as he tossed the letter into the trash.

“And Hayley,” he said, turning back to face the girl. Her arms were crossed over her ample chest, the tattoos on her biceps on full display. “I’ll be visiting my mother tomorrow, so you’ll have the place to yourself.”

She nodded, mustering a smile that Rex returned, even though he felt as though something had burrowed beneath his skin and was racing through him. He clenched and released his palms several times, pushing all thoughts of Kelvar Management from his mind.

At least for now.