Chapter 3

Bryony gaped at the men standing in front them. They were twins obviously but one just seemed to fade behind the other. He seemed to like it better in the background though so she didn't feel too bad for him.

The man who had bought the company was named Austin Somme. He had light auburn hair that anyone would kill for and matched his crystal blue eyes perfectly. He was obviously very well spoken and the air around him visibly crackled with his charisma.

The only thing that was offsetting about him was his age. He didn't seem to be more than twenty-three at the most.

As he spoke, he looked around the room, meeting everyone's gaze deliberately. It was as if he were trying to make sure they knew he was in charge and yet allow them to get to know him. It was the perfect ploy and he seemed to be doing it well.

Brad leaned over her shoulder. "He seems to be getting into this too soon, don't you think? I heard he's only twenty-one and going to school for something completely different than publishing. He's unfit for duty."

Before she could say anything, the new boss was suddenly beside them. "I'm unfit for duty am I? Well, Mr.…?"

"Crestford. My name is Brad Crestford."

"Mr. Crestford, what was the net worth of your department last year under your supervision?" Brad opened his mouth but nothing came out. "How many classics did you republish last year and how many were bought in the first ten days of reissue?" Again Brad was silent. "How many people have issued sexual harassment charges against you in the six years you've been here?"

This time Brad reacted, sputtering indignantly. "Now, wait just a damn minute. You can't bring personal matters here."

"Why not? You did. In the last six years you have brought your personal business into this establishment and caused at least eight women to leave. The only reason you're still here is because you're the godson of the previous owner. Now he's gone and so are you. If I ever see you on this property again, I will personally haul your ass down to the nearest precinct and have you booked on sexual assault. Do you understand me?"

He didn't give him time to reply as he turned to his twin. "Keldin, will you escort Mr. Crestford out please?"

Something about the way the younger twin moved reminded Bryony of a very large cat. He was in control of every muscle and if he wished it he could be very lethal. He grabbed hold of Brad's suit jacket and yanked him with him as he went towards the door. Brad didn't argue because there really wasn't anything to argue about. It was Austin's prerogative to fire whomever he wished.

Austin turned to the ones left in front of him. "Is there anyone else that would like to follow Mr. Crestford out the door?" No one moved. "Good. My brother and I will be walking through the rest of the departments for the next couple of hours. If you have any questions I will be in my office around noon. Feel free to come see me then."

He turned on his heel and headed for the elevator.

Everyone started buzzing with excitement. Brad had just been fired and there was a new opening in the department. It meant a lot of people would be vying for Austin's attention and his approval to become the next department head.

Amelia was the first one to rush to her side. She was buzzing with energy and excitement. She hadn't been there very long but any upheaval in the department meant gossip and that meant Amelia was right in the middle of it spreading.

"I didn't know they made men like that anymore," she said breathlessly.

Bryony looked at her. "What are you talking about now, Amelia?"

"Those brothers are the type to kill for a woman they love. If Austin has the mad skills I think he does, then this company will be making money in less than a month instead of losing it to the printer."

"So you think Austin's attitude will keep us afloat instead of sinking us as the last boss's was? That's just wrong, Amelia."

"Well, it's true. Because Brad was the last boss's godson, he got away with a lot of stuff, such as sexual harassment and squandering money. I would have snitched but then lost my job because I did. So I just sat back and watched." She held up her hands at Bryony's stony glare. "I need this job. I can't pay my rent without it."

"It doesn't help that you knew Brad was squandering money and didn't say a word. That's aiding and abetting, Amelia."

"Everyone knew but didn't say a word. It's either snitch and lose our jobs or sit back and be quiet. We all did it. Well, maybe not you because you live in the archives and only come out to eat, go to the bathroom, and shower, but everyone up here did it."

Agitated beyond all belief, Bryony barely missed the man in the doorway looking around the office. "Can I help you?"

He smiled and came up to her. "I'm Emery Stiles, assistant to Austin. I'm looking for Bryony Parker."

Tilting her head in confusion she crossed her arms. "I'm Bryony. What can I do for you?"

"Would you follow me please?

Eyebrows raised in confusion, Amelia had to push her into following Emery out the door.

***

"If I didn't know you any better, I'd say you were going against everything I have ever said. But because I do know you, I know you're only doing this to help the woman."

Austin smiled widely. Many girls had fallen for that smile but the one he was talking to. "You know it. I have Tyler tracking the movements of the mob. He said he'd let me know when they finally decided to make a move. We'll be ready for it when it comes our way."

Aiden shifted papers on her desk and tilted her head down so he couldn't see what she was writing on his computer screen. "Just be careful. We don't want another incident like last year's."

What she was referring to was when Aiden had taken over a bar in Pittsburgh. She had renovated it and opened it up for the public. The police had tried to shut it down because she hadn't had an alcohol permit.

Ironically, it was in her brother Cole's precinct where the suspicion had come out. It turned out the guy hated the Lowen siblings and simply wanted Cole out of office and Aiden to leave town. It didn't work and when the DA found out what he had been doing and went after him, a firefight ensued. Three people, civilians at that, had been killed.

Aiden didn't want his taking over the company to cause a riot amongst the workers or the police officers. They may be creatures of legend with powers only those with crazy imaginations could picture but they were law-abiding creatures of legend.

He wrinkled his nose. "I won't let it go that far. If it does, we can always unleash Paycen."

Paycen Alear was Austin's weapons expert/Healer. He was the complete opposite of Keldin's Healer Deuce Martin. He was trigger happy and lived by the code "Shoot first, ask questions later." Austin tried to control him as much as possible when in public but under dire circumstances he was known to let the wild man free.

Aiden's expression was not amused as she looked at him. "I hope things don't get that dire. I might just have to come up there myself."

"It won't get that bad," Austin quickly admonished. There was no way he was allowing his heavily pregnant Queen Shadow-Walk all the way to New York. Her husband would kill him. "Besides, I don't think Clint would be too happy with me."

"No, I wouldn't." Clint's head suddenly popped up in the frame. "Take it easy, Austin. We'll back you up if you need us to."

"Thanks. Oh, and the publishing house will be part of the Court. Just thought I'd let you know that."

Aiden nodded and went back to paperwork. "All right. Take care of business, Aussie. I'll expect a report next week."

Austin saluted the computer. "Yes, ma'am."

She laughed. "Cheeky bastard."

"See ya, Aiden." She nodded at the screen then signed off. There was a knock at his door seconds later. "Come on in. Ah, Miss Parker. Please sit."

Bryony did as she was asked and looked around the plush office. The former boss's stuff had been cleared out rather quickly. Austin obviously hadn't had time to do much in decorating but he did have a picture of four people. Three of them were guys and one girl. Two of the guys were Austin and Keldin.

"Who's the woman?" she asked without thinking then quickly covered her mouth. "I'm so sorry. Please pardon my intrusion."

Austin smiled. "Don't worry about it. That's Aiden. She's been my friend since I was fourteen. We're sixteen in that photo."

"Have you been friends with that other guy as well?"

"Yep. That's Tyler. He's a computer geek who runs his own software company in Seattle. Genius little prick didn't even have to go to college to learn how to develop software but he's going for chemical engineering. Like he'll need it. He can speak any language you give him as well."

She was surprised at the affection in the man's tone. He was twenty-one and already owned a billion dollar corporation. How was he going to handle all that and going to school at the same time?

"Mr.…"

"Somme but you can just call me Austin."

"Mr. Somme, I… Somme? Wait. Are you Austin Somme from Ridgecrest High School in Twilight, right outside of Pittsburgh? Co-captain of the soccer team and student council president?"

Austin's smile widened, but not for the reasons she thought. "That's me."

"Then the others in the picture are Tyler James and Aiden Jenks."

"Well, Miller now, but yeah, that's Tyler and Aiden. And Keldin is my twin."

"Wow. No one knew you'd turn out to be so rich." She covered her mouth again as the old high school rumor suddenly flowed from it. "I'm sorry. I'm not usually this vocal."

"It's quite all right. My parents didn't think I'd be anything either, considering Lennox went to West Point and Lenin went to Annapolis. They thought the world of Keldin but never me."

That sounded about right. In high school, Keldin didn't talk to anyone but his brothers and the two friends they had already mentioned. It had something to do with what had happened to him before the Somme family had adopted him but nobody outside his circle knew what it was.

Austin, on the other hand, had excelled at making friends but he had kept that core group as his close friends. He wasn't as conceited as he made himself out to be. He had been a good student council president and good co-captain of the soccer team. His only failing had been he went through girls like a woman would bras. It was a little sickening but it actually covered up his one weakness: his younger twin. Bryony had figured out that a long time ago but had never pursued it.

He saw the look on her face and smiled gently. "What is it?"

She scuffed her toe against the floor, almost like a child who had gotten caught red handed in the cookie jar. "How is Aiden after...?"

"She's doing well. She had a wreck not too long after the whole situation and had to home school. She graduated with honors and went on to school. She has a two year old son and is expecting her next child in two months. She's had a happy life."

He was glad she asked, but that wasn't the reason he was here. "I've asked you here, Bryony, because I want you to take over Brad's position. I don't like people who can't pull their own weight. He couldn't but you can."

"But why not ask your brother to do the job? If I remember correctly, he was always very artistic," she replied.

"Keldin won't be here long enough. He lives in San Francisco and in about a month he will be heading back. You won't be leaving though. All I really need is someone I can trust to help me pull us out of our slump. Since we've known each other most of our lives, I know I can trust you."

She opened her mouth to reply but no sound came out. When she tried again, she was more successful. "May I think about it?"

He nodded. "Of course. Take your time. Thank you for meeting with me." He watched as she stood and walked out of his office.

His pleasant smile fell. "Did you get all that?"

Paycen simply melted from the shadows, crossed his arms, and leaned against the wall. "I did. Brad was who we were afraid he was. He was the one keeping an eye on Bryony for the mob. They were paying him and his godfather handsomely."

"That's the reason he was never fired." Austin cursed. "We can't leave her alone for even a minute."

"Especially now that you've fired Crestford." Paycen waited for a heartbeat. "What do you want me to do?"

"Call Carter and have him put a trace on her building. Petey will be the one to keep an eye on the mob. We cannot stretch ourselves too thin. The mob lives in this area of town. I just don't know where yet. Once I figure that out, we'll figure out which way to move."

He paused then turned a hard eye to his friend. "Paycen, do not kill anyone unless you have to."

The other man saluted in an assholish manner. "I got you, Boss. But if he attacks me first, there are no promises."

Austin nodded. "Fair enough." He watched his second-in-command disappear out the door. "Bring it on, Jack and Brad. I'm waiting for you."