"Mistress, we're here."

I looked out the window at Pryce Industries with a smile.

"Thank you, Sebastian."

"Would you like me to join you?"

His red eyes looked back at me as I opened the door, pulling my jacket on.

"No. Be back in a few hours. It shouldn't take long."

"I'll have the company ready for inspection then."

I nodded and he drove off, this was to be interesting.

A security guard stood but before he could move closer, I waved my hand and he sat.down, his eyes glazed over. I even managed to do the same with the elevator, clearing it of all possible meals. It wouldn't be best if I came into the meeting smelling of blood.

"How interesting."

The office was empty when I arrived but the door was unlocked. Shrugging, I walked in and sat down, my feet kicked up on the desk and waiting for Theo Pryce. I don't think he'll take too kindly to someone in his chair...then again, I don't take kindly to waiting.

A moment later Theo enters his office, unaware that Minx is already there waiting for him.

"Fucking good for nothing Secretaries....I would ask you to take your feet off my desk. That's imported from Italy, but the simple fact that they are there shows me that you don't care to begin with. Some days I might applaud that type of fortitude, but today is not one of those days."

Theo approaches Minxs and swats her boots off his desk and looks down into the cold eyes of his visitor.

"So tell me Minxs, what is it that brings you to my office and make it quick. As they say time is money and while I have plenty of one, I am short on the other."

"A company that I bought two years ago is suddenly missing 14.5 million. You find it, the company and the money is yours. The company makes 60.5 million in two weeks."

I dropped the books on his desk before kicking my feet back up.

"Its black market weapons with a Medical supply front. They still make and sell medical supplies. The building dates back to.....oh...I think it said the Plague era."

That got Theo to snap his head up in shock.

"What?"

"Tell me you're interested and I'll take you there."

"I'm always interested in a challenge but the money, and the company, neither are worth anything to me. I have all the money I need and this company keeps me busy enough. However, I am curious, if me finding this company nets me it and it's profits, what's in it for you?"

Theo walks over to his dry bar and pours himself a scotch.

"Care for a drink?"

"I remove a thief and establish more fear within the companies. Yes, I'll take a drink."

I watched him move to the bar but I still didn't move.

"My family has influence in many aspects of the global economy. Political power and fear in the darker side of the streets. I would hope a contract between the two of us could further the power of both our families. Considering you would have access to my brother in you joining the black circle, getting access into companies linked with the one you would...inherit from me would be no problem."

I smiled and ran a hand over the oak desk, "What part of Italy? The one I have is white oak from Russia."

"While I have often kept clear of the political arena, despite how often my companies deals with various Governments, it certainly wouldn't hurt to have some connections with those in power. And of course, I love a challenge. As for the desk, it's from the region of Abruzzo."

Theo walks over to where Minxs is seated and hands her a glass of his favorite scotch, Johnnie Walker Blue Label.


"So, where do we begin?"

"Either with the books or a tour of the company. I have yet to visit and it's only proper for the owner to show the buyer around."

I smirked and took a sip, loving the burn. Theo sat at the edge of his desk, his eyes looking in a date book.

"Where is the company?"

"Just outside of London. It won't take us long to get there. Sebastian is already waiting with the car and the jet is set to take off."

"I'm slightly impressed."

"Now you understand why I offered my office? The manor has yet to see business in its halls and the staff is needing the chance to use their talents."

"Well then it appears we have some work to do."

Theo downs the rest of his drink, walks over to the couch and grabs his sport coat and heads towards the doors.

"Are you coming?"

I nodded and downed the rest of the drink before getting up and following Theo out. Pain shot through my skull as more incomplete memories filtered through my thoughts and I must have stumbled because I felt Theo's hand on my shoulder.

"You drunk already?"

"It's disorientating moving from a host to the original body. Not all the memories come at once or even as complete memories."

We reached the main doors and I stopped on the steps, looking up at the sky for a minute before I heard the door of the car open and Sebastian walking over.

"Mistress, Sir...a pleasure."

I smiled at him before following him to the car, Theo keeping an eye on the ruby eyed butler.

"Is he?"

"He has been in the family for many generations. Yes, he is also a vampire. Most of the staff you would have met are vampires. Saves Grandfather and ourselves the pain of replacing eaten staff."

"Mr. Pryce, I do hope you are comfortable with the surroundings. Otherwise, we can easily arrange for Alfred to escort you and the Mistress to the company."

We reached the car and got in. I poured a glass of strong scotch from the bar and handed it to him.

"It's a bit overwhelming and I apologize for that."

I smiled softly as he got in and took the drink.

"So tell me what do you think happened to the money? 14.5 million is a lot of green to just up and vanish."

Theo takes a sniff of the scotch and then downs the glass. While that might have an effect on lesser men, Scotch has been Theo's drink of choice for as long as he can remember. A scotch 4 times a day keeps the Doctor's away.

"This is delightful, what is it?"

"Not sure. The account is meant to be for building maintance...its mostly for keeping the government off our back."

Sebastian looked back at us, "It's a 1857 bottle of homemade scotch."

I smiled and poured a glass of what looked like red wine.

"What do you think could have happened to it?"

"Well we have an entire team at Pryce Industries that we contract out to various companies looking to find out that exact same thing while keeping it out of the papers."

Theo takes another sip of the scotch.

"Homemade you say? I may need you to send me another bottle. This is very good. As for your question, in most cases we find that it's an inside job. Someone is moving money around to various counts in smaller increments. Usually less than $100,000 as most people don't notice amounts smaller than that. You do that enough times over the course of a few weeks and it can add up. I would be very surprised if that wasn't the case. Do you have any recently fired Executives or any disgruntled employees that were recently let go? "

"Not that I'm aware of. All of the Executives are Uncles in the Family. If there was anyone fired, they did it."

I took a drink of 'wine' and sighed, "I can send a case if you want. Zak and I can't stand the stuff...for reasons I'm sure you will understand."

"Well then I will have a team from our London Branch of Pryce Industries take a look over the company roster and start background checks on everyone. In the mean time we will check security footage, interview staff and have some of my very best forensic accountants meet us at the facility. This should take us no more than a few days to solve."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Mistress."

My golden eyes locked onto Sebastian's red ones, "Yes?"

"Your brother has an appointment set up in a few days."

"What for?"

"Meeting with the new directors-"

I just nodded and closed the divider.

"I'm sorry, Theo. You said it should only take a few days? You are more than welcome to stay at the manor if you wish to deal with this on your own or you are more than welcome to see the family you will be partnered with in this...endeavor."

I smiled and took a drink of wine, watching as he poured himself another drink.

"I think I will have my staff make reservations at a local hotel. It allows them to work unimpeded throughout the night. Additionally, I feel better in an environment I have more control over. That said, I would like to meet those members of your family that I will be working with in this venture."

"That will easily be arranged. Sebastian, call Alfred and tell him that I need Aubrey and Ashton at the office."

"Of course, Mistress."

I smiled and looked back at Theo just as we pulled to the airfield. We got out and headed for the jet, where Alfred stood with the two uncles.

"You must be master Theo."

Theo looked at me before taking Alfred's hand in a firm handshake.

"Yes..."

"I noticed the books missing and put two and two together. Please, join us. The company is waiting for a much needed inspection."

"Inspection is one word for it. The truth is every staff member is going to have their privacy invaded. No stone will be left unturned. My team will discover things that your staff will wish was buried in a grave 6 feet deep and covered with cement."

Theo smacks Alfred on the back and gives him a smile.

"Tell me Alfred, do you have any feelings on the matter? You've been involved in the business for a while. You know everyone who works for the company. You have to have some thoughts on what happened here."

I am simply a butler, sir. The two men you would be looking for will join you in the meeting room at the back of the plane.

Theo looked back at me and I nodded, I will join you shortly, Theo.

He nodded and walked to the back of the plane. Ashton placed a hand on my shoulder, Are you sure-

Are you worried? Get back there and kiss arse. You and Aubrey are in deep fucking shit.

The two men groaned and put on their game face, walking to the back to join Theo.

Would you like me to bring tea?

Tea and some of the scotch. Theo has seem to fallen in love with it.

If only he knew what was in it.

Then don't tell him. I would hate for him to get sick this high. It's the only thing keeping me from taking his blood.

I placed a hand on Alfred's shoulder just as Sebastian walked out of the elevator to join the rest of us. They turned back and I walked inside the meeting room, just as voices started raising.

Theo is seated across from Aubrey and Ashton, two of Micah's uncles. The two men exchange weary glances at each other. Theo says nothing but notices everything. As Theo finishes another sip of his scotch another gentlemen walks into the room, flanked by Micah.

"Theo, I would like you to meet Sebastian, Sebastion, Theo Pryce."

Theo gets up from his seat, takes a long hard look into Sebastian's eyes and extends his hand.

"Please to meet you Sebastian. Micah told me a lot about you on the ride over here."

"All good things I hope."

"Indeed. Come, have a seat. I think now is a good time to get things started."

Theo, Sebastian and Micah all take a seat towards the head of the table. Micah in the middle with Sebastian and Theo to her flanks. Micah motions to the others in the room so as to call the meeting to order.

My eyes danced over to Theo, watching him drink the scotch before turning to the two men.

Tell me, you do know why I have you here?

The two men looked at each other before looking back at me.

You're doing a merger with Pryce Industries?

Clever.

They both knew the dark look in my eyes and they looked at Theo, who was currently looking at their bank accounts. His eyes turned to me, snapped to the two men and then back to the books.

Is there something wrong?

"No, not at all. Just curious."

Micah pauses for a moment, looks at her two uncles and then back to Theo.

"Tell me Theo, what do you mean by curious?"

"Actually Micah, I think it will be best if your Uncles tell us. Gentlemen, I have your bank accounts in front of me. They were given to me by Sebastian so as to not allow for the illusion of tampering on my part. I have a team set to meet us but it appears that may not even be necessary. Go ahead gentlemen, is there anything you wish to tell us?"

No. There is nothing.

He said it so perfectly, so strongly that it was a red flag. Ashton's eyes snapped to Aubrey, who glared at his friend before looking back at Theo.

There is no reason for you to go through our accounts. We know that there is money missing and we've been doing all that we can to get it back.

He must be the one who started the whole thing. Ashton looked scared and ready to cave. I stood, making Theo look up at me.

Micah?

Just going to check-

Tea and scotch.

Alfred set a bottle of the scotch in front of Theo and a cup of tea in front of everyone else. It was kinda funny seeing Theo's eyes light up at the sight of the unlabeled bottle.

Wonderful!

I chuckled and sat back down next to Theo.

Micah, I am sorry to leave but...I'm not feeling too well. Flying makes me weak to my stomach.

Ashton stood, bowed his head to the two of us before leaving the room, his face a pale green. Aubrey stood, said he was going to check on his friend before leaving, anger in his eyes.

Alfred, help me with dinner. I believe the Mistress and Master will take it in here. Let us make sure that Ashton and Aubrey get some food in their room.

Both men bowed before leaving Theo and myself alone with mountains of papers.

"Well that was rather telling."

"How so?"

"Well I asked them one simple question, one of them danced around the question, the other one was so clearly taken aback by the question that his stern denial masked the fact that he was clearly being dishonest."

"I agree. What did their accounts tell you?"

"Quite a store actually. But it was their answers that provided the only evidence I really needed."

"So you believe they are involved?"

"I know they are involved. What I want to know now is whether they are the only two or if there are others involved."

"And how do you plan to obtain that information?"


Theo looks at Micah and then using his eyes motions to his cell phone which is resting on the table.


"Did you get all that?"


A male voice comes out from the cell phone, surprising Micah who had no idea the phone was active.


"Yes sir I did. We should have the information you requested within the hour."

"Very good."

"So you were recording the meeting?"

"Actually, I've been recording since we left my office."

"Interesting."

"Indeed. You would be surprised what people say when they don't think you are listening. I kept it on during the meeting so that my team on the other end could do some various queries while we were talking to your Uncles."

"I can see why people hire your company for these types of jobs."

Impressed didn't even begin to describe what I was thinking and feeling. He was already setting the standards quite high for the rest of my companies.

I may need to borrow those people of yours to check my other companies and maybe a few of my brother's.

Theo smiled and poured himself another drink. I was kinda glad he wasn't asking what it was made of...to be honest, it was the only think keeping him from becoming a snack. He dropped the papers and watched as I put them into a black case.

What's that for?

Just cleaning up before dinner. Plus it makes it easier for us to find should Sebastian or Alfred move it. They are quite...quick to hide things. They've
been in the family for so long that they know where to hide the skeletons.

I smiled and place a hand over his for a minute before pulling away. His pulse was quick but his face was very calm.

Are you okay?

Indeed I am. I think the whiskey might be finally getting to me. Or it could be the high altitude, maybe both. Either way, I am rather eager to hear what my team has come up with.

I wouldn't want you getting to drunk.

Gently, I stood and moved to his side, my hand covering the glass and pushing it away from his hand. My hand gently moved up his arm as I nipped his ear.

I'm excited to know what they find as well. I do hope it will be soon.

I pulled away and walked over to the tray that Alfred left on the table. The sound of a chair pulling away from the table caused me to look back with a soft smile.

Is there something you need, Theo?

He stepped closer and I cocked my head slightly.

"Some bottled water would be good."

Theo looks into Mincah's eyes for a moment, trying to get a read on her, satisfied with what he see's he takes Micah's hand into his.

"I am confident that my team will be able to find the information that I need to put this whole matter to bed, quickly and quietly. I have also contacted a friend of mine to put him on stand by."

My hand gently gripped his, a twisted smile on my lips matched the dark spark in my eyes.

Does this friend have a name?

I stepped closer to him, our joined hands the only things keeping our chest apart. He smiled and I smiled back, pushing the bottle of water into his other hand.

Your water.

"Indeed he does. And you know him quite well. In fact, he should be arriving in London with your brother around the same time as we are."

"Nova?"

"The one and only."

"But how does he fit into all of this?

"You leave that to me. So tell me, do you eat dinner?"

Naturally.

I smiled and let his hand go to gently press on his chest. He stepped back and I followed, my hand never leaving his chest.

Why would you ask, Theo?

I sat on end of the table, my legs crossed as he smiled.

"Well it's getting a bit late and we won't be landing for a few more hours. Do you have a chef on board?" I would love to discuss some of my thoughts and plans going forward over a meal."

As if on cue, Sebastian walked in, pushing a tray with food.

"I am sorry, Mistress. I hope dinner is perfect for yourself and the young Master."

He set both plates down and took the lids, revealing steak with potatoes, mac&cheese and French bread.

"It looks wonderful, Sebastian."

He bowed as he left and I looked back at Theo, "Looks like you got your wish."

"Almost as if he was listening to our conversation."

"You mean stealing a page out of your book Mr. Pryce."

Theo lets out a shallow laugh, obviously surprised by Micah's witty retort.

"Touche."

"Some more scotch to go with your meal?"

"Yeah, I think that would be fantastic. Thank you."

Micah pours another scotch for Theo and some more wine for herself. She places both on the table and then takes a seat directly across from Theo.

"Enjoy, Mr. Pryce."

I raised my glass in a mock toast and watched as he cut into his steak.

"Tell me, Mr. Pryce. What are your plans? For both the company and this...partnership."

He took a drink of scotch and sighed, his eyes locked on mine as I took a drink of wine.

"Well first I am going to put this matter to rest as promised. And then I am going to do what I do best. Use this partnership to make us all a lot of money."

Theo cuts away a section of his steak, medium rare, just the way Theo likes it. He takes a bite, savors it for a moment and then swallows it down.

"My regards to the chef. This is excellent."

"Tell me Micah, when we catch the people responsible for this, and we will catch them, how do you plan on dealing with them?"

"We kill them."

Theo stopped eating, looking up at me.

"Kill them?"

I nodded and took a drink of wine, "We kill those who betray our trust."

Luckily, the table wasn't very wide so I ran my foot along his leg gently.

Theo looks over at Micah and smiles.

"Can't say I disagree with that thought process as at all."

Theo looks down at the table and sees his phone's screen light up signifying an incoming call.

"Mind if I take this?"

"Not at all."

I smiled and took a bit of steak, my foot still rubbing on his leg.

"Sorry about that. Had some business to take care of."

"Everything ok Theo?"

Theo glances down at his leg, Micah's foot still there.

"Absolutely."

"Care to tell me about your phone call?"

"All in due time I promise."