“Give me one reason why I should grant you a boon.”
Jean-Luc took a deep breath and chose his words carefully. Maddie’s image flashed through his mind. Her pretty smile. Her sparkling eyes. “There’s a woman. I don’t think I can live without her,” Jean-Luc began. “Her name is Madeline…”
* * * *
That asshole! Maddie struggled in her bonds. If I get my hands on her, I swear I’m going to strangle that bitch. Demon. Monster. Whatever. Maddie rolled to her side and bumped her face against the wood. She had been stuffed into a cupboard and the dingy, enclosed space gave her the willies. The ropes dug into her skin and the socks stuffed in her mouth made her stomach roil. She had been so furious, the only thing she could hear right now was the wild galloping of her pulse. If someone turned into a monster right before their eyes, one would think to scram far, far away immediately? Not rooted like a dumb vegetable?
Maddie let out a long, muffled exhalation. She couldn’t believe she had been this stupid. So gullible. How could she not see that Madame Ronnauds was an imposter? A real socialite would never ask for a newbie personal shopper. That bitch had tricked her employer in order to get close to her. Genevieve wouldn’t send just anybody. First Realm should be her safe haven. Just as Jean-Luc had promised her.
Through the crack of the cupboard’s door, Maddie could see her kidnapper pace around the room with a cell phone stuck to her ear. Occasionally, she barked at the person at the end of line, threatening how she’d love to gouge the poor sap’s eyes out if he didn’t do what she wanted. Maddie thrashed on the cold floor. I’ll show you who loves eye gouging too… Irritation bubbled in her chest. Man, if I could smack that bitch good…
She didn’t know why she was this furious. Her fear had been replaced with a cold sheath of anger. She had been too stunned to move when Madame Ronnauds had turned into a tall, scaly demoness. But when that demoness had spirited her to this place, bound her and taunted that she couldn’t see what Jean-Luc had seen in her, all Maddie could think of was to get even with her kidnapper.
She had introduced herself as Jezebel. She and Jean-Luc were fuck buddies, and would be again once she got rid of Maddie.
At first, Maddie couldn’t see what Jean-Luc had seen in Jezebel. Horns, leathery scales and all. After Maddie had been shoved into a cupboard, Jezebel revealed her human form. Blonde. Perfect rack and long legs, with flawless skin, as pristine as white stone. God, Maddie hated her. Something territorial snapped inside her chest. She and Jean-Luc were together now. Sure, they became lovers under unique circumstances, but damn it, Jean-Luc’s drool-worthy ass was hers.
That bitch was lying.
Jean-Luc had never mentioned Jezebel. She guessed it was normal for a guy like him to have a few flings over the years, but from the vibes she’d picked up from Jean-Luc, he was practically celibate. He had told her about his late wife, Selene, and his hell-bent desire for revenge. Maddie admired him. More so when he confided she made him feel the way he had once felt for Selene. Jean-Luc didn’t seem like a man who smooth-talked his way into a woman’s panties, so yeah, she felt damn special.
The fucking bitch was lying.
Demons always lied. Didn’t they?
Maddie wondered if Jezebel was the one who had sent the death omen. She must be. Maddie was sure. When the death omen failed, that bitch decided to finish the job personally. The question was why Jezebel had a bone to pick with her in the first place? Jealous ex-girlfriend trying to get even? That was so clichéd.
Jean-Luc always dismissed her when she asked who wanted to hurt her, saying he was taking care of it and it was none of her concern. After a few unsuccessful attempts, she gave up. Jean-Luc was more stubborn than she was. She figured he’d tell her when he was ready.
The door burst open.
Maddie squinted at the crack, trying to get a better look. Jezebel jumped from her seat. Jean-Luc was at the door, looked utterly pissed off.
“Where is she?” he barked.
“Berthier,” Jezebel said, “I’m hurt. We haven’t seen each other in a long time and all you can say is ‘where is she?’ You know, where I come from, we say hello. I remember you were a much more cultured person the last time I saw you, darling.”
Jean-Luc shoved her out of his way. “Where are you keeping her? I can smell her scent. She’s here.” His gaze scanned the room.
Maddie made a noise to catch his attention. He didn’t hear her. Maddie screamed through her gag. Jean-Luc still didn’t notice.
“Oh, Berthier, you’re so predictable.” Jezebel ran her hand over the lapel of his coat. “Always to the point.”
Jean-Luc snagged her hand and wrenched it off him. “Last time. Where is Maddie?”
Jezebel sighed theatrically. “Do you have Siegfried?”
“No.”
“Then you can’t have her.”
“I despise your dirty games, Jezebel. Your mistress’, too. I don’t plan to play one and never will.”
“That’s not the way it works, darling. My mistress wants Siegfried. When she gets him back, then you shall have your little slut back. Unharmed.”
A flash of fury hurtled across his face. “What did you do to her?”
“She’s alive, if that’s what you mean.”