Page 7 of Tears of Revenge

“Are you working as an accountant?”

Ava nodded. “It took me a while to find something because of the gap in my resume but they took me without hesitation.”

“And you clearly enjoy it,” Varos beamed.

“I do.”

The three fell into conversation and she was surprised by how… easy it all felt. She recounted how she visited the zoo and all the museums. She babbled away but not once did they make her feel silly, listening intently and hanging onto her every word. Her break was over far too soon.

“I think we should get you back upstairs before we get you in trouble,” Marcus chuckled, rising from his seat.

Just like before, Marcus offered his arm so she could hold on to it.

“Should we meet up again when there’s more time?” Varos asked.

“I’d love that.”

She waved Varos goodbye, letting Marcus lead her back to the office.

“That went by too fast,” she admitted, stepping into the elevator.

“It did. Next time we can meet after work if you like?”

She felt herself blush and those butterflies fluttered away in her belly. “I would love that.”

“Friday evening?”

“Sounds good to me.”

“Wonderful. What time do you finish?”

“Four, Fridays are my early days.”

“How about you meet us upstairs whenever you’re ready and we can decide from there.”

Ava agreed and Marcus led her through the office and to her desk.

“It was a pleasure, Ava.”

“Same.” She really liked how Marcus used her nickname when around others. Avalon wasn’t a name she used often.

“See you Friday.”

She gave him a shy wave goodbye and took her seat, distracting herself with paperwork to resist the urge to watch him walk away. The whispers and stares weren’t lost on her. She knew her coworkers were curious, but she was happy to keep her mystery man to herself for the time being.

Three

Marcus

Marcus could already hear bickering the second he stepped out of the elevator. His supernatural hearing gave him an insight no one else had.

“I don’t give a shit about some human girl! Marcus is playing a dangerous game. I’m sick and tired of having to move around because he gets bored. And now you’re playing along with him.”

“Maybe if you found someone for yourself you wouldn’t be in such a foul mood all the time.”

“Sure, let me just find a woman to play with that I also have to keep secrets from.”

Marcus stepped into the office, finding Lysander behind his desk while Varos stood by the window, overlooking the Buffalo Bayou Park.