Echoes in Eternity (The Pella Series Book 1) (16 page)

“Send Henry into my office immediately!” I say as I pass by James and Melissa.

“How about the security?” he says pointing at the young man sitting nervously, waiting for his fate. I squeeze the bridge of my nose. He jumps to his feet, looking at me expectantly, but unworried; the look of innocence. I point my finger, shaking it at him accusingly.

“You will get your chance to redeem yourself in a little while. If however you fuck up, I’ll break you!” I say and make my way towards my office. As I reach for my door, I hear my name called.

“Oh, Mr. Pella! We wanted to have a word with you,” says a demanding female voice. I turn to look at James and Melissa with a ferocious gaze, outraged that the bitches are still here! It’s a pity that
with such expensive ensembles they’re sporting can’t raise the value of the women they’re packaging.

“I’m sorry ladies, but those who wish to see me, must make an appointment. Do feel free to discuss it with James and Melissa here,” I gesture towards my assistants.

“But you are here already, and what we wish to discuss is rather urgent in nature,” says Miss Collingsworth.

“Be that as it may, Miss Collingsworth. However right at this moment, I have a business emergency to attend
to, myself. Excuse me,” I say.

“Mr. Pella,” urges Miss Montesquieu, the lesser of the two evils, catching my arm. I look down at her strongly clutched hand on my bicep despite her smaller size compared to mine. My gaze follows her clasped hand to her arm and then to her face pointedly, I raise my eyebrows questioningly. I can feel what she is easily; one of our kind. But her blood is weakened, diluted over many generations. She may have an inclination that I too am a Nephilim. Since I’m the only remaining first generation, it’s not easy to disguise my presence from humans let alone my own kind, because every aspect about me is laden with power and strength. It is clear to me now that their amplified vitality, forward behavior, and the siren affinity tell me that they’re certainly Nephilim. But why
 didn't Anthony tell me about this just now? Surely, he must have noticed it about them. But then, he couldn't have, because I’ve met these women before, and their weaker blood made it extremely difficult to see for what they truly were. Why do I clearly know what they are now? What’s different? Fuck! Of course! It’s Elissa!

I can easily sense their disdain; something else is shoring up their insolence, and it
 couldn't be their father’s bank accounts. Their human lineage boasts up some royal stock. The fact is, there are a lot of Nephilim with weak blood and large accounts; but they’re either not aware of their lineage and the knowledge of it has been lost   throughout many generations, or they have something to hide and it’s to their benefit to not  make it known even to their own kind. With that in mind, I see the Collingsworth woman taking two careful steps towards me through my peripheral vision, her voice a purr, a siren’s call. She licks her lower lip, and measures her gait towards me, hips swaying, her large breasts forward, and her lips pursed to emphasize their size.

“Well, Mr. Pella,” she emphasizes melodically as her hand travels under my chin and she attempts to run her index finger under it. But for some unfathomable reason, she’s unable to reach and make contact with my face. Her facial expression shifts, gets taut with the strain of the force of her attempt. I know what she wants to do; I’m just trying to decipher the exact reason behind their collective effort. If I don’t find out, it may be to the detriment of Elissa. James is ogling at them; in fact he’s practically drooling. Melissa however is completely unaffected; she stands with arms crossed, her face looks forbidding. As Kimberly Collingsworth expands her efforts, coupled by a force exerted from Miss Montesquieu’s attached arm over mine, I can hear her vociferous mind loudly and clearly! Each mind is singularly and collectively focused on me, trying to make me yield to them! They’re looking to strengthen their gene pool, but with me particularly in mind. What could their purpose be for this? I don’t provide stud
 services or donate sperm.

James approaches the two women, his eyes clouded. I am not under their influence, but I’m determined to see what they’re capable of doing. Melissa looks from me to James, and stands in James’ way in an attempt to stop him from advancing towards the women. He doesn’t look at her, and simply pushes her out of the way with a single push of his hand and continues to walk towards us. Melissa walks behind him catching up and punches his arm making him blink momentarily, but the distraction doesn’t stop him.

Exasperated, she walks towards our growing group in determined strides, and yanks Miss Montesquieu’s hand off my bicep, and without a word, she slaps Miss Collingsworth breaking her concentration.

“Why? You...” starts Miss Collingsworth, her gaze shooting daggers at Melissa.

“Miss Collingsworth, Miss Montesquieu,” Melissa croons sweetly, and smiling. “I apologize, but Mr. Pella is booked for an entire month, and I am sure you will see plenty of him during the auctions. However, please have your assistants call to make an appointment before you waste a trip to the Pella Towers as Mr. Pella is an extremely busy man. I will show you the way out,” she says holding both of them by the arms. Then turns to me and adds in her most professional tone, “Mr. Pella, James will be sending Henry in momentarily, sir,” then lifts her head high, and clicks her heals away towards the elevators, herding the two women away who are stunned by the strength she is demonstrating.

But James doesn’t get a chance to summon Henry. He shows up with a grave face.

“Something’s wrong. Anthony sent a distress signal!”

“What? Where are they?”

“The vehicle was stopped just after he reached the border of Santa Barbara County. It’s not moving, and he’s not answering.”

I feel the breath knocked out of me. “Let’s go!” I order. Whoever is behind this is fucking with the wrong man! I’m not in a forgiving mood today!

CHAPTER V

STARLESS NIGHT

Elissa Cassandra Duncan

“Hi, I don’t believe we've met. I’m Ellie,” I say and extend my hand to Alex’s what -- Security guy? Driver?

“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am. My name is Anthony Decimus,” he replies taking my proffered hand not looking into my eyes. Odd...

“What do you do for Mr. Pella, if I may ask?” I quiz him slowly.

“I hold a few positions ma’am,” he answers me cryptically. I blink. He keeps his demeanor
at a professional level with me, looking ahead in an at attention position like a seasoned soldier in the presence of a higher ranking officer.

“I
 didn't mean to intrude, I’m sorry,” I say, chagrined.

“You
 didn't ma’am. Working for a man such as Mr. Pella is not a nine to five job; therefore my position is not a conventional one. But my main responsibility is close protection and I am the Head of Security. However, I also shoulder other responsibilities which do not have a job description out there,” he says, and my reply to him is a confused gaze.

“Does
anyone hold conventional jobs in this company?” I ask.

“There are conventional jobs at Pella Aerospace and Energy Enterprises Incorporated like any other company, ma’am. However, those of us who work for Mr. Pella specifically and only for him do not hold conventional jobs. He is an unconventional boss, ma’am,” he says with a polite smile. Oh! So, that confirms it then. My job will also be an unconventional one.

“How so?” I ask, and the elevator doors open.

Anthony, indicates the door respectfully, and ushers me out.

Once we’re in the underground garage, “Follow me please, ma’am,” he requests and I follow him.

“Do you know where I live?” I ask once we reach to a strange looking SUV that I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the likes before. It looks like a very high tech armored vehicle.

“I will request the address from you once we are in the vehicle, ma’am.”

“What sort of an SUV is this, Mr. Decimus?” I ask as he opens the passenger door for me.

“Please, you may call me Anthony, ma’am. She’s a Conquest Knight XV ma’am.”

“Never seen one,” I murmur.

“I don’t believe you would, ma’am. They are not widely used,” he replies and closes my door. My eyes focus on the heavy duty hinges of the door. When he gets into the driver’s seat, he looks at me expectantly. Oh, my address! He hits a button and a wide screen slides out and tilts in his direction. I give him the address. He hits a few buttons and nods, and then backs the SUV out of its parking space. When we come to the exit gate in the parking space he slows down and in six seconds a blue light scans something on the vehicle and lifts up, and he eases the vehicle into Los Angeles traffic. I had not realized that the sun would be close to setting already. How long have I been here? The headlights come on automatically.

“I’ll take a different route to avoid the rush hour traffic, ma’am.”

“I don’t know if there’s any way to avoid it, Anthony. It’s just busy all around at this time in the city.” He smiles politely but, he looks like he knows something that I don’t. The SUV’s windows are heavily tinted, and it makes the outside look darker from my passenger window. The interior is completely custom made. The seats are charcoal color leather; it smells brand new. I take a deep breath automatically inhaling the scent of soft leather. It makes me feel comforted for some odd reason.

“Would you like some music, or do you prefer to watch TV, ma’am?” Anthony asks.

“TV? Here?” I ask.

“Yes ma’am. The vehicle is fitted with state of the art satellite system should you wish to utilize it.”

“Oh... I don’t need to watch TV. But, you can turn the music on if you like,” I reply.

“What would you like ma’am?” he asks politely looking ahead on the road.

“Surprise me. Even the radio would be fine...”

He presses a few buttons on his steering wheel, and the perfectly balanced acoustic system comes on softly.

Christina Perri’s angelic voice echoes around. She’s singing “A Thousand Years.”

“Is this on the radio?”

“No ma’am,” he shakes his head. “I believe it’s on the iPod,” he responds.

“Whose compilation are we listening
to?” I ask.

He clears his throat, reluctant to answer. “Yours?” I ask.

“No, ma’am. I generally drive Mr. Pella in this vehicle. I believe it’s his compilation,” he replies. Huh... Alex Pella is a romantic, or is he in love with someone? I feel a sudden tinge of jealousy in me. I exhale a breath I didn't know I was holding.

“Would he be mad at you for driving me in his car?” I ask concerned.

“No ma’am. I had asked whether I should drive you in your vehicle, or the company vehicle.”

“But you just said that this is
 
his
 vehicle, not the company vehicle,” I state raising my eyebrows.

“Technically the company belongs to him and so does the SUV. What belongs to the company belongs to Mr. Pella. I am used to driving this vehicle. I assure you, ma’am, Mr. Pella won’t object,” he says smiling like he’s privy to a secret that I’m not.

“Do you think he’d be upset at us listening to his music from his iPod?”

“In this case, no, ma’am.” What does that mean? Are there other cases? Other women who are driven in this SUV? Maybe someone he likes... He did say he loved someone. Or, I think he did. What exactly did he say? I’m confused.