Page 1 of Enthrall Shadows
Los Angeles is prone to earthquakes.
Yes, thank you, brain, for offering that reminder every time I enter my executive glass elevator on the 79thfloor.
I patted my thigh to get Dex to follow me in. My black Labrador settled by my feet, peering up at me with affection.
From the loftiest level of Cole Tower, I had a panoramic view of the city. Twinkling lights and snaking roads appeared beyond the skyrise, a bluish nightscape of vibrant life.
The streets below were snarled with the usual Friday traffic.
Dex’s interest grew as the elevator descended. He knew what came next—a run around the park. After that, a bowl of Pedigree for him back at the suite. And for me, a glass of Macallan as I watched the news.
Alone.
Although Dex did keep me company at the Bel Air Hotel. I’d stayed there since arriving on the West Coast. The suite was comfortable enough. The staff spoiled Dex. Spoiled me, too, to be honest.
To them, I must have seemed eccentric—a billionaire who could afford his own place but preferred a more reclusive lifestyle.
For now, anyway.
Dex missed those long runs around Central Park. Or maybe it was just me feeling nostalgic for Manhattan.
Thiseclectic metropolis and I were still getting acquainted.
As were the staff with my mercurial reputation, which apparently had preceded me.
If you wanted to test my nerve, just ask me what I did to my brother. He’d saved our company with his usual acumen. Before the dust had even settled, I had claimed my rightful place as the head of our family empire.
Cameron had acquiesced with his usual compassion.
This crisscross of dark glass and steely architecture reflected the heart of the man who now ruled from within.
My father had named C. R. Cole Tower after Cameron because they’d abandoned hope of me ever taking over.
It had taken courage laced with grit to rise again. Once I’d taken over the leadership, I’d sliced through their preconceived ideas about what I was capable of. I’d made hard decisions that ensured profits continued to soar—my personal brand of control proving effective.
The remarkable skill set I’d brought back from the Navy SEALs usually kept my enemies at bay.
Right up until it didn’t.
That’s why I’d brought in a crack team of investigators—led by Shay Gardner—to root out our apparent corporate spy. Once we found them, I’d throw the fuckers to my shark lawyers and have them devour the bastards.
A blood bath awaited.
Metaphorically speaking, of course.
I turned to face the elevator doors in anticipation of hitting the ground floor, feeling our slowed descent.
The elevator stopped on the fifth floor.
Which should never happen. It should take me right to the subterranean parking garage.
Sliding doors pulled back to reveal a pretty stranger, her complexion a golden brown. As she stepped inside and joined me, uninvited, I guessed her age to be around twenty. Her brown hair fell neatly down her back. She glanced over at Dex and then spun around to face the door.
“This is the executive elevator,” I informed her.
The doors slid closed.
She rested her palm against the door as it shut. “Sorry.”
