Page 29 of Beneath the Light of the Moon
Did someone know when their soul was irredeemable?Yes.Did they know when it was too late to go back—to expunge their past of all the horrendous wrongdoings littering their memories?Yes.
It started as a small whisper, only a piece of your mind that was afflicted and diseased, but itgrew. The inky black spread and corrupted every fiber within you until you found yourself consumed with rage. Until you discovered yourself standing in a place you didn’t remember walking to. And until bits of your memories faded away.
Fate had chosen you, moldedyouinto a weapon, one that had to suffer andbleedfirst before retribution could be had. A necessary means to an end; you’d have it, no matter what it took, forsaking the parts of you that you lost along the way. In the end, if the only thing left standing was a shell of you filled with vengeance, then your job was complete.
Only then could your soul finallyrest.
The endless whispers forever tormented you. Yet, one thought remained louder than the rest. One notion.Bloodshed.
A wicked smile carved itself across your face.
A pleasant promise was evident in the air, eager to wrap itself around your weary, yet determined frame.
Let the games begin.
11
A Tasteful Gift
Mikko
Aknock on the clear pane of glass leading to Mikko’s office startled him as his eyes caught sight of blond hair and a pressed blue shirt.
Glancing up, the stray strands from his relentless hair pulling tickled his forehead. While it was a little after noon, it’d been a rollercoaster of a morning. Despite multiple deals falling through, his mind still lingered on Anika, and the way he drove past her house two nights before. His curiosity had gotten the better of him, the thought of her skin on display on a constant loop in his mind.
Waving Levi in, he hoped the other man would have information he secretly wanted.
“How’d it go?” Mikko asked. “Were you able to get the client to commit to the property?”
Sinking into the couch, Levi sighed. “It went well. She was really interested in the space, even called me as you know.” Something akin to jealousy crawled up the back of Mikko’s throat as the other mancontinued. “Despite the amount of work it needs, she doesn’t seem deterred.”
“And the listing price? Is she agreeable to that?”
“Mostly,” Levi fidgeted with his cuff, a tell of his, “but I’m thinking that might be her only reservation.”
“Convince her otherwise.” The words hurt leaving his mouth, but he donned his CEO persona so Levi wouldn’t think twice about the rhythmic tapping Mikko was doing against the top of his desk. One ofhistells.
“I’ll see what I can do. She has all my personal information, so I’m hoping that eliminates any barriers.”
Unable to stop himself, Mikko retorted, “Perfect. It’s a good sign the client can see the potential in things.”
Levi chuckled. “Y’know, I think she said something similar, but it seems like a good fit for her.”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“What’s she planning?”
“She started a small, leather goods business, and now that it’s growing, she needs more space, material, and people.” Mikko nodded, moving his hands to his lap. He clasped them tightly to keep his fiddling to a minimum. Levi couldn’t see they were white. He hadn’t known about this little tidbit. “She gave me her business card…well, for her day job since the leather business is a hobby right now.”
As if needed to prove his victory, Levi fished the small rectangle of paper from his pocket, flipping it over his fingers as his other arm stretched out over the back of the couch.
Why does it feel like he’s gloating?
Mikko was losing it, his mind largely dramatic with any and all things to do with her. It was nothing; he was reading into Levi’s actions. “I’m assuming it has all her info on there for you to follow back up if phone calls don’t cut it?”
“Yep, although I’m already planning a dinner event, and she’s at the top of the invite list.” His teeth flashed, his grin mischievous. It irked Mikko.
“Wonderful, clients like to feel special,” Mikko bit out, the words containing a double meaning in his own mind.
