Veiled Shadows

Chapter 11 Pt. 1

I've already showered three times but I think I've finally gotten the last of the dirt and grime off from the warehouse. My aching muscles ease under the hot water and I let out a sigh of contentment. I needed this. I wish I could stay here forever.

When I'm finally ready to wrench myself from the bliss, I step out, dry myself, and wrap my body in a fluffy white robe with tiny pink hearts. I'm still towel drying my hair when I walk into the hall. Turning the corner into the living room, I scream.

A gorgeous black man lounges on my couch, sipping a glass of wine. He doesn't so much as look at me as I walk in, eyes glued to my TV.

"Have a nice shower?" he asks.

My eyes dart around for a weapon and land on a vase. I snatch it up and launch it at his face. He catches it with ease and sets it down on the coffee table.

"Whoever you are, you need to get the fuck out of my house."

Just then, the door to the bedroom opens and Eko steps out. He sees me, fists raised, and cocks an eyebrow.

"Get over here," I hiss at him. "There's an intruder."

He glances passed me to the man on the couch and rolls his eyes. "I told you she would not enjoy this."

Then he walks by me and towards the kitchen.

I hesitate, confused. "Wait, what? Enjoy what?"

"Relax, Lexi," the man says. "This place is warded out the ass. Do you really think anyone could get in without your saying so?"

I take a cautious step towards him. "So you're... Vimmy?"

He grins. "I told you I'd show you what that tattoo did. Do you like it?"

I look him up and down. He's handsome. More than handsome. He looks good enough to be on the cover of magazines. I can tell he's tall, too, even though he's sitting down, and muscular. His tattoos are still there, although they're harder to see against his dark skin.

"Where's your shirt?" I ask since he's only wearing a pair of jeans I recognize as a pair I bought for Eko.

"The fairy said you prefer your harem shirtless."

Eko, who was sipping a glass of water, chokes and spits it across the counter. "I said no such thing! And the term fairy is offensive!"

"Harem?" I squeak.

Vimmy stands and saunters over to me. I was right, he is tall. He towers over me and I have to step back so I don't hurt my neck looking up at him. He's not as tall as his Ogre form but he's taller than most men by far.

"So this is how you stole without raising suspicions," I say, trying to act like his proximity isn't making my heart race. "They just saw a human on the security tapes. Just another robbery."

He grins down at me and his teeth are so white they almost blind me. It's a dazzling smile. "Exactly."

His eyes drift languidly down and land on my robe. He gives me a wicked smile.

"Would you like me to take your coat, mistress?" he asks, holding out his hand and bowing as if he were a butler.

Before I can say a word, Eko walks over and strikes him across the face.

"You will not speak to the lady in such a crass manner," Eko snarls.

I tense, ready to jump in but Vimmy just laughs. "I was just joking. I wouldn't touch a single hair on her head without an invitation. You know what she could do to me. I would be Ogre dust before I could even beg for mercy."