There was only one word to describe the sun-kissed work of art right in front of Lacey Evans. Perfect.
Hunt Adler was a perfect work of art.
His eyes were the green of fresh dew glinting in the sunlight off a leaf of green emerald. His lips were pale and thin and his nose slender and rounded. His hair was blond, the golden wisps catching the sunlight.
A prominent jaw curved gracefully around and the strength of his neck showed in the twining cords of muscle that shaped his entire body.
Even though he was wearing a suit, he had a strong muscular frame. Lacey could see the outline of his strong arms, bold thighs and calves almost bursting out underneath his suit.
He was an Adonis among other men who each paled in comparison. One look from him would both women and men swooning at the sight of him no matter their sexual preferences.
"Sit."
He simply said in that deep but strangely refreshing voice of his and Lacey settled in her seat. Despite his muscular frame and domineering appearance, Lacey didn't feel half as scared as she was when she first met Aidas Vladimir. She almost felt comfortable in Hunt's presence.
"Who are you?"
He asked again and Lacey raised her eyebrows feigning ignorance.
"I already told you. I'm Candy Holmes."
Hunt shook his head.
"No, that's not possible. Not when you look like her."
"Her? Mr Adler what are you talking about?"
She asked pretending to be concerned and worried.
Hunt looked even more confused.
"You don't know who I'm talking about?"
"I don't."
"You really don't know?"
He asked again incredulously and she nodded her head.
"No, I do not."
"You're telling me you're not in any way related to Lila Hampshire?"
Lila Hampshire. So that was her full name. Lacey thought as she tucked that bit of information with her while she continued to feign ignorance.
"Sir, I am here for a job interview. I came here to be interviewed as your Personal assistant. I know nothing of who you're talking about."
"You don't know anyone named Lila Hampshire? You're not related to her?"
He asked again and Lacey shook her head.
"No. My name is Candy Holmes."
There was a short silence as Hunt stroked his chin.
"Hmm. Okay. You say you're here for the job interview?"
He asked and Lacey nodded.
"Yes Sir."
"Well then you're hired."
Just like that?
She asked herself as her eyes widened. He didn't even give her a proper interview. He didn't seem to care about that.
"Really?"
"Sure." Hunt said as he forced a smile on his face.
"You start as soon as possible. I'll have Karen at the receptionist desk give you a briefing about your duty."
"Oh My God! That's great? When do I start?"
She said with excitement in her heart. Everything was going smoothly and things had turned out much more better than she had expected.
"Can you start tomorrow?"
"Absolutely!!"
Lacey replied.
"Well then, please report to the receptionist desk. She'll give you a few documents to sign and brief you on a few things."
"Thank you very much Mr Adler. I'm so grateful."
Lacey said as she stood up and walked out of his office while Hunt watched her wearily as she left.
He couldn't believe his eyes. He really couldn't. He picked up his phone and quickly texted his brother Ruhn. He was sure he was going to be just as shocked as he was.
The moment he saw her the first thing he had felt was shock, then mild fear. But the hazel eyes were not familiar to him so he had relaxed a bit. He knew a lot about Lila Hampshire and her, so he was sure that she was an only child. But the resemblance was uncanny.
It irked him.
His brother called. Just as he had expected.
"You're lying!"
He said as he picked up the call and Hunt shrugged.
"I wish I was. But it's true. You should see her, she looks so much like Lila. I had to hire her right away."
"Oh damn... Are you sure that's a good idea? What if the Hampshires see her?"
"Well, if they do there's not much they can do. She isn't their daughter. She says her name is Candy Holmes. Can you run a quick background check for me?"
"Sure. I will."
His brother said quickly and Hunt nodded.
"In the mean time, keep this on a low. Till we figure out if she's really related to Lila."
"I will."
Ruhn said from the other side and he ended the call.
It's been a year. A whole year since Lila's body had been found. She had gone missing a few days prior before her body showed up. She had died with no bruises or cuts to her body. She was simply found at the back of an alley dead.
Everyone had been devastated, it was horrible news, especially since there was nothing to tell the public. The death had been publicly ruled as death by natural causes. The Hampshires and the Adlers had to lie that Lila had a rare breathing problem which led to her death.
But the families knew what had happened. Lila's death wasn't ordinary. It was of a supernatural kind. Which made it even more mysterious, as far as Hunt was concerned he had not pissed off any supernatural although he was well aware that he had his fair share of enemies.
But he still didn't know why anyone would kill Lila. If it was to hurt him, the only feeling he felt was guilt. Guilt for her being his mate and dragged into his mess.
Lila had been such a soft spoken easy going woman.
She didn't deserve to die.
"Very impressive."
Aidas nodded as Lacey told him that she got the job. She narrated everything in detail to Aidas, from Hunt's reaction to his demanding questions.
Aidas was very pleased.
He stroked his chin as he watched her beaming with happiness. She seemed to be very happy that she had accomplished her task. And he was relieved too.
"Was he in any way suspicious?"
Lacey nodded.
"Very. I don't think he believes that I'm not related to her."
Aidas shrugged. He had anticipated that. In fact he would have been worried if he didn't.
"It's alright. I expect him to do a background check on you. He wouldn't find much."
Lacey nodded.
"So? What next?"
Aidas shrugged.
"You need to tell me everything he is doing. Wherever he goes and whoever he meets. I want to know all of it."
"Is there anything you want me to specifically look out for?"
She asked with concern. She knew Aidas was still hiding a lot from her and she also knew she didn't know the full story. She just wished he gave her a hint or a clue. Something that could help her do her job better.
"You'll know when you see it. But anything shady or suspicious, make sure it gets to me as soon as possible."
"Alright. Can I leave now?"
She asked and Aidas shook his head
"One more thing."
He said as his eyes roamed all over her outfit. She had played her dressing a little too safe.
"What is it?"
"Next time, be a little more daring with your clothes."
"I don't understand."
Aidas sighed. He didn't like to have to repeat himself or explain himself.
But somehow Lacey always managed to push all his buttons.
"Wear something sexy. If you need to resort to seducing him to get information, by all means please do."
"You can leave."
He said in a dismissive tone as Lacey glared at him and walked away.
Slowly all his plans were falling into place. He could see how everything was going to play out already. He only wished he would be able to get some dirt on Hunt Adler before the elections.
A scandal big enough to ruin Hunt Adler and perish his chances of being Mayor of Aron City.
Imelda walked in shortly after Lacey left the room.
"Dinner's ready."
She said with a small smile on her face.
Aidas nodded.
"Is it warm?"
He asked and she nodded.
"Bring her in then."
He beckoned and Imelda walked out of the office. Shortly after she returned to the office with a tall lanky girl with a head of dark brown curls.
"Come here pretty."
Aidas whispered in a low husky voice as he patted his lap gently. The girl walked slowly and gently sat on his lap.
"That's a good girl."
Aidas murmured as he stroked her hair. Her big brown eyes were big guileless and emotionless. One could barely tell what she was thinking.
Aidas pushed her long brown curls to the side as he revealed her smooth creamy neck. The sound of the blood rushing to her veins became clearer then. He could hear the steady sound of her heartbeat and he felt a rush of excitement as he imagined the blood pumping in her veins warmly rushing to his mouth.
In a second he was transformed. His eyes a brilliant red with clear veins around his deathly pale skin and his fangs long and daring.
He bit into her neck slowly, gently, so as not to hurt her. And he moaned at the euphoric feeling he felt when her warm blood rushed to his mouth. He loved fresh warm blood, but he also liked to control his restraints. If all vampires wanted to fully satisfy their cravings, there would be no humans left.
That was why he only took warm fresh blood on special occasions.
Especially one where he was one step closer in destroying Hunt Adler.