Nowhere But Up Ch. 04

"You can help with that now," said Madelyne. "As long as you also stay filthy rich. Kind of a requirement of the job."

"Tough job," he joked. "How rich am I?"

"That's what we're going to find out, hopefully. I don't actually know. Ted kept things divided and kept his secrets. Plus some things are bound to slip through the cracks in the transition. He probably wasn't a billionaire all on his own, but...well, let's not forget all those contracts and all those potential loyal servants. Nobody's hurting once they're a succubus or an incubus. Almost all of them are pretty damn well off themselves. Some of them very well off. You see where I'm going?" She glanced at Evan again for a nod of acknowledgement, and then shrugged. "The Malibu house isn't the only house. It's just the biggest. You don't own a private jet or a massive yacht, but you could get hold of one for a while if you wanted. That's the kind of wealthy you are."

"This is just crazy."

"This is magic. And fantasy. For all we know, you're living this out for all the people who fantasize about it."

"And I'm getting all the action for the people who fantasize about that, too?"

"Maybe so," Madelyne answered playfully. "It's up to you not to be an asshole about it."

Again, Evan laughed. "I love you."

"See? More reasons you're better than my last guy. He couldn't stand being teased, let alone criticized."

"Hey, for the record, call me out when you see I need it. That's gonna go for everyone. 'Alpha male' or not, I don't wanna be an ass." His grin fell away as he considered that thought. "I really didn't lay things out well with everyone yesterday."

"You have time. Lots of time now. And everything about the power you hold means what you want it to mean. Including your power over us."

Traffic turned out lighter than expected. Evan enjoyed her driving, as well as the ride through the city where he grew up. Every day he'd been here since tracking down Ted had been too much of a struggle of survival and too focused on the mission to think much about how he'd missed LA. Yet he found what he enjoyed the most was Madelyne's company.

"Who were you before?" asked Evan. "Before the contract?"

"I was a New England fisherman's daughter. Puritanical town, Puritanical upbringing. I know I don't talk like it, but I've had a long time to adapt to California living," she joked.

"I was smart and brave and curious. Always ready to question things. Mostly I was curious about magic, which wasn't a joke back then. I mean that was scary stuff because people really believed even if they said they didn't. Not that they actually knew anything about magic. But I was curious about magic, and about sex. God, I thought about sex all the time, but I was always smart enough not to do anything that would get me into trouble. And all along, I was trying to dodge my 'responsibility' to be a good Christian woman and marry and have babies and obey my husband."

"Can't say I blame you for sounding a little bitter," Evan observed. "I know I'd resent having all my choices made for me like that."

"Pretty much, yeah. Anyway, Ted came through on some other business, but he dropped it after he met me. Found excuses to stay around until he could seduce me, and he sure as hell did that. Knew all the right things to say. Freedom and magic and sex. Said my lust called to him. I didn't jump into his arms right away, even if he could practically read my mind and figure out my secrets. Not even after he showed me some real magic. It took time. I was an investment.

"But in the end, I wanted to escape my town. I wanted to learn magic. And yeah, I had a deep need for the sort of crazy, sinful sex that got people tarred and feathered and banished back then. Given my other options, life with Ted was awesome for a long, long time. I had everything I wanted.

"For a long time I didn't think twice about whatever else he did, because he never openly hurt or oppressed people in front of me, and yet look at what I escaped. An entire life decided for me by other people? At least Ted gave me the option of consent, even if it was consent for his total possession. Hell, Ted was a fire-breathing abolitionist right up until the war. He even used me and his other servants as spies once the shooting started."

"Wait, seriously? What about Captain Confederacy yesterday? Or all the nasty shit the other guy pulled?"

"Much of that came before Ted found them. He didn't care much about anyone's past, and he didn't hold grudges for things that didn't affect him directly. Ted abhorred slavery, but he didn't think twice about anyone's former slaveholding pasts, or any other moral failings in their pasts."

"Huh. So I guess I don't need to ask about human trafficking or anyone being a rapist like I did?"

"They wouldn't be doing that after they signed their contracts, no. Well. I suppose the trafficking is possible, but as you've been told, we're all limited by consent when it comes to sex and dominance. Any other nastiness is fair game. In Lisa's case, at least, I can can fairly well guarantee you she never did any of that before she signed. I wouldn't know what else she's responsible for, though. Ted didn't exactly micro-manage. Any of us could've gotten up to all sorts of things independently of him, though hiding anything from his suspicions would have been impossible."

"Huh. Guess I ought to rethink my background questionnaire," Evan muttered.

"Don't forget, Ted was awful in many ways, but not every conceivable way. He seduced, bribed, persuaded, and bargained, but he never forced. Not his servants, at least. We signed and gave ourselves willingly, and even then we all had room to deny him if it mattered enough to us. As for me, he offered plenty of slack on my leash to go enjoy myself all I wanted. The forbidden knowledge? Forbidden pleasures? Mine for the taking. I never looked back."

"Holly talked about the same thing this morning," Evan mused. "Wanting all the sex but not being able to go for it 'cause of the life she led. Is that how it is for everyone?"

"I can't speak for remotely everyone, but I know that's a pretty common thread. Unacceptable desires and deep lust seem like a prerequisite. It's another reason why I encourage you to be so naughty. We want it that way. It appeals to us. And I have to assume that we all have a natural submissive streak, or at least enough of one for the contract to take hold. Most of us like to be on top, too, but we all take great pleasure when we submit to...well, you."

"Tactful."

"Focusing on the present and the future rather than the past," she said, caressing his thigh. "You possess us. Accepting that is critical. We're all possessions by consent."

"Guess that brings us to our current challenge," Evan grumbled.

"Yes. Lisa. And we're almost there." Madelyne glanced at the driving app on her phone sitting in its holder. Traffic was still clear. "Do you know what you're gonna do?"

"I owe her the same as I've offered everyone else," he said. "If she hasn't crossed any of the lines I laid out yesterday, I won't tear up her contract. Past that, like you said, she has to be willing to stay. If she says no and doesn't want to deal for the records or whatever...I dunno. I've got lines I won't cross."

"Even if she was a big part of ruining everything for you and Nicole? And if she was involved in that, do you even want to have her?"

He couldn't answer that right away, though the thought had been at the back of his mind since she first suggested it that morning. He'd been a little preoccupied with happier things, too. "Guess we'll have to see what she says."

Madelyne pulled off the freeway and easily brought them into an office tower not far from the exit. She paid no mind to the exorbitant rates for the most convenient parking. As the Porsche's top came back into place, she took his hand. "Remember all that we've talked about," she said. "In the end, the decision is hers. You've been very gentle with the soft-sell until now. There's nothing wrong with pulling out every stop to persuade her if you choose.

"And no matter what happens, you will not lose the claims you've already made."

Evan leaned in for a long, loving kiss. "Thank you," he said. "Okay. Let's go."

* * *

The building, the décor, and the office all spoke to Evan of money and power. Plenty of average people worked here, of course, but the list of companies on the directory in the main floor lobby included some influential names. They didn't stop at the sign or look for directions. Madelyne knew exactly where to go. In the elevator, though, Evan noticed that the firm that made up their destination occupied three entire floors.

"Guess I should've asked if you and Lisa get along?" he murmured to her in the elevator.

"We never especially clicked," Madelyne answered quietly, "but we never came to open hostility, either. Ted discouraged conflict among his people. Not in anyone's best interests. On the other hand, she's a great lay."

Evan blinked. Madelyne smothered a slight grin. The door opened before he could ask anything else.

They were shown right through at the reception desk. Evan was somehow unsurprised to find that Lisa had her own corner office. Their guide took them up a single set of carpeted stairs to the proper floor. Along the way, he noticed several double-takes aimed at Madelyne from many of the men they passed, and even a couple of the women. Madelyne, for her part, either didn't notice or didn't care. Evan also noted a few admiring looks thrown his way from ladies in the office as they passed. He chalked it up to the fitness upgrade and makeover from absorbing his enemy's power. Letting Nicole do his clothes shopping never hurt at all, either. She had a professional eye for that sort of thing.

It wasn't as if he never caught a lady's eye before his change. Hell, he'd won Nicole over, and she was a great catch long before any magic got involved. Yet he knew without a doubt that the very pretty secretary outside Lisa's private office had more than a simple admiring thought as she glanced up to him.

"Ah, y-yes, she's waiting for you," the secretary said. Her eyes kept coming back to Evan as she picked up the phone to let Lisa know her appointment - no names, apparently - had arrived. He noticed the flush of her cheeks and the way the blonde's posture shifted to keep her facing him, chest out just a little bit, subtly licking her lips.

Evan sensed a connection there along with her obvious, instant arousal. Not a contract, though. That led him to wonder when he knew he could sense contracts, but then again, everyone he'd interacted with since fighting Ted was under a contract already. Only the people they passed on the way through the building to this point hadn't been, and now that he considered it, there had been some subtle difference there...or at least the lack of a reaction like this. The encounter lasted less than a minute before the secretary rose and opened the last door to their destination and closed it behind them.

The large corner office contained every amenity. The thick windows along either side of the door were blocked by venetian blinds to ensure privacy, and the office was big enough that Lisa's desk was not in view of the doorway. She had a small conference table, plants, windows offering a great view in two directions, and a plush couch along with two comfortable upholstered chairs in front of her nice oak desk.

Lisa stood as they entered. Like Madelyne, her clothes hit the sweet spot between professional and sexy. In this case it was a grey and white skirt suit that showed off the the ample chest and curvy hips that made her body so eye-catching. He liked her face, too: red lips, dark eyes, and long, dark hair combed over one shoulder.

If he suspected some sort of connection to her secretary, he definitely felt one here. Evan immediately sensed a pull, along with that feeling of power in his groin. Lisa clearly felt something, too, for the smile that had been on her lips as she rose instantly fell to half-strength. "Hello, Madelyne," she said, cordially just as Evan had been warned. He heard the barest note of surprise on Lisa's breath. "Who is this...oh."

"I take it you recognize him," said Madelyne.

"Yes," Lisa nodded, her eyes locked with the only man in the room.

"Hello, Ms. Smith," said Evan. Along with the feeling of a connection, Evan recognized her instantly. "Haven't seen you since my last court hearing."

"My presence was no longer required." Her voice calm and soft, but not at all warm. Evan could feel the stirrings of their connection through her contract, and he was sure she could as well, but she obviously didn't want to let her emotions show. "You pleaded 'no contest.' My clients were satisfied."

"More like I plea-bargained to keep my ass out of jail for something I didn't do, but I imagine you know that."

Lisa ignored the counter. "And then you hadn't been heard from in the last couple of months. Not since your driver's license was suspended."

"My driver's—shit, really?" Evan grumbled. He glanced over to Madelyne, who watched the exchange with interest but otherwise stayed guarded like Lisa. "I lost my job over money and property going missing," he explained. "Theft and embezzlement. The city attorney's office decided to press charges. Lisa here was involved as my former bosses' lawyer. So I'd imagine she knew the charges were bullshit."

"I remember," Madelyne nodded. "I knew this part. I didn't know Lisa played a role."

His eyes flicked back to Lisa. "Did your clients know it was all bullshit?"

"Your former employers didn't know any better," said Lisa, and then stopped herself. Her eyes went wide as if stunned. She looked to Madelyne. "What's going on? Why did Ted send him?"

"Ted didn't send me," said Evan when his companion glanced at him before answering. "Or Madelyne."

The dark-haired beauty's breath grew heavy with controlled anxiety. Her hand fell to the office phone at her desk. "You'll be amazed how quickly security can get here," she warned.

"Lisa, have you ever murdered anyone or hurt any kids?" Evan asked abruptly.

"Never," she answered. She blinked with surprise again, and looked even more astonished as she kept talking. "I...acquired muscle or hitmen for Ted a few times over the years and people got hurt, but I was never personally involved." She glared at him in alarm and picked up the handset from her desk phone.

"Then I will never hurt you," Evan told her before her finger hit the speed dial button. He didn't try to match his words with a reassuring tone. It was simple fact. "Not for anything short of defending myself...and I think we both know that's not likely, is it? I will never hurt you, Lisa. We should talk before you call security, but it's your decision." Still fuming, Lisa paused to give him a frustrated but curious look. "Oh, I'm fucking pissed," he elaborated honestly, "but unnecessary violence isn't my style. You don't need security for protection. Up to you if you want to throw us out before you find out what's happened."

"And what's that?" she asked, her finger still hovering over the button. "Why are you here?"

"Ted's dead, Lisa," said Evan. "I took him out."

"Permanently," Madelyne added as she saw Lisa's skeptical frown. "Ted's gone. Evan possesses most of Ted's power now, including the receipt of our contracts."

Lisa's stance and her scowl held for a moment more. Then she slammed the handset back down onto the phone. "Shit," she fumed.

Evan gave her a moment to let it sink in. He'd been warned that Lisa was particularly fond of Ted, but he didn't see any tears. Mostly he saw annoyance. Apparently she could process big changes at light speed. Lisa glanced to Madelyne again, clearly figuring out the answer to her next question: yes, of course, Madelyne was sure about all this. "What now?"

"Can we talk?" asked Madelyne.

"I suppose I have to, don't I?"

"No," said Evan. "That's what I'm saying. I won't force anything on you. That's not what I'm about."

The other woman gestured with irritable resignation to the two upholstered chairs in front of her desk and then sank into her own chair. "When did it happen?" she grumbled. "How?"

"Tuesday night. It was me, in the library, with the knife," Evan added as he and Madelyne sat.

"And you're smug about this, too, of course."

"Well, yeah. Fucker ruined my life and destroyed my marriage. And you helped."

Lisa rolled her eyes. "Fair." Then she frowned thoughtfully, looking at him with searching eyes. "So what are your plans?"

"I'm taking everything. Or at least everything I want. A few things aren't all that attractive. Sounds like you have possession of some important things, though. Bit of a linchpin, apparently?"

"Apparently. What else?"

Evan looked to Madelyne for that. "Each contract has to be renewed. Consummated. If not, they'll fade in time and we lose all benefit."

"I suppose you've already done that?"

"And I'm happier for it," said Madelyne. "Happier than I've ever been."

"How quickly do the contracts fade?"

Madelyne looked to Evan for a nod before answering. "Months, depending. Possibly not as long for us as the younger ones would last. Either way, our power would fade, along with our health, our youth, and our beauty."

"Months," Lisa mused grimly. "And in the meantime I have control of...how much of Ted's empire have you even seen, Evan? Do you like the house? The cars? How much cash have you found? Enough to live on for a long time?"

"I'm a little more concerned with more personal things," said Evan. "Like my name."

"Yes. That, too. I suppose if I don't turn over everything, you'll let my contract fade?"

"Either you renew things or you don't," Evan shrugged. "I can't force you."

"No. No, you can't."

"I can hang onto it, though."

"And I can hang onto the property papers, the financial records, the power of attorney, not to mention a little matter of your good name—but you brought that up already, didn't you?"

"He's already torn up two contracts, Lisa," Madelyne shot back. Lisa's eyes flared in surprise. "I saw it happen. The results aren't pretty."

"I'm not going to do that," said Evan quietly. Then he noticed Lisa's raised eyebrow and quirked grin and it was his turn to roll his eyes. "Look, they were really bad. You're just being nasty. Not the same." He paused. "I mean, you did fuck up my whole life, but let's keep some perspective here."

"So we both have something the other wants. Only I have many things and you have the one."

Evan watched her closely. He hadn't really been sure of his plan before he came in here, particularly given his objections to strong-arming her. He'd drawn a line for himself about when it was okay to tear up a contract. Whatever she'd done, she hadn't crossed that line. Nor would he threaten her with it, since she could always call that bluff and then he'd have nothing...as if even the bluff wasn't dirty enough on its own. Threatening her with imminent death didn't seem any more reasonable than the rougher options.

The galling part was that she seemed to have no qualms about taking advantage of his conscience. She didn't play against him so much as she played him against himself. Given the thorough campaign to break Nicole away from him, Evan suspected she knew him very well, and probably knew the sort of things he detested. She knew the sort of man he didn't want to be.

At least, not in a normal situation.

"Do you think you have some sort of escape plan?" asked Madelyne.

"I might. You may not have noticed given all the time you spent studying, but I'm a careful woman, Madelyne. I keep my eyes open for opportunities. And I'm not completely ignorant on how our contracts work."

"Where are you going to go, then?" asked Madelyne. "Who do you plan to turn to?"