Her Shadows

CHAPTER ONE

AMELIA POV

The doors ricochet off the pearl white walls as I aggressively enter the building. Stepping onto the polished floors, the familiar, all-consuming dread of this horrid building enters my heart once more.

Ugh I hate this place.

I was well accustomed to its elegant chestnut floorboards, the high-rise ceilings and much-too-fancy crystal chandelier. I raked my eyes over the lush red carpets, its colour specifically chosen to mirror a crimson, blood red, able to mask the stain of... visitors. The foyer only a peak into the luxury that was this building. Purposeless antiques line the corridors, glinting in the light.

Only the best for Eugene, the conniving asshole who raised me. He always had a thing for collecting pretty things.

Before I can even step off of the Persian rug placed at the entry, the bane of my existence came to greet me. His filthy eyes raking over my soiled clothes and wild red hair.

"Aaron, never a pleasure."

His signature smirk take up residence on his face as he continues to saunter toward me. I hated that smirk. It was filled with malice and something disturbing that sent chills up my spine. Whenever he directed it at me, there was an added waft of lust, so potent I could practically smell it secreting from him in waves. I wanted to shudder at the disgusting thought.

"Oh Amelia, you just know the way to a man's heart, don't you?"

"The only concern I have for your heart, honey bear, is the day it stops beating. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll call it quits tonight!"

A low, humorous laugh escapes him before he stops just a few steps in front of my. I couldn't deny that he was gorgeous, but they all were. Eugene would never buy a damaged pet.

My eyes mindlessly travel along his body, his well-defined muscular triceps straining against the tight sleeves of his black shirt, practically ripping the seams. His perfectly groomed abs, as hard as a block of steel, were hidden beneath his shirt but I knew his muscles were flexing against my perusal. His hips were lean, making way to not-so-surprisingly muscular legs, strong as tree trunks.

Then there was his face. So unjustly attractive it should be considered a crime. Blessed with ocean blue eyes, such a stark contrast to his smooth, unmarred and sun-kissed skin. His hair a perfect honey gold, falling against his forehead in lazy waves.

Honestly, I could see why he was such a womaniser. But despite his scorching hotness, I still felt white-hot repulsion at his presence. Preferring a taser to the ass cheek than seconds in his company.

Sadly, avoiding him is an impossibility. Him living in the same house and working for the same man and all.

I still wanted to slit his throat though.

"Now love, keep the threats for later. Eugene calls."

I felt a tiny piece of myself deflate, that tiny speck of hope that I could have just come inside, taken a shower and fallen into oblivion without having to face this monster, dying like the last ember of a camp-fire.

I didn't let this show though, not allowing even the slightest flicker of emotion to ghost my dead eyes. I simply inclined my head toward Aaron, gesturing as if to say; lead the way.

And we went. Further and further into the depths of hell and despair that clung to the walls of this elaborate estate.

No matter how many vases and paintings Eugene decided to collect to fill the space, that all-consuming emptiness and misery could never be exorcised. This building will forever commemorate a life of blood, death and desolation.

Aaron enters the office, with me in tow.

Before I could even fully situate myself at my usual post, a standing position near the far-right wall, Aaron was dismissed.

Eugene leans back in his chair, arms resting against his chest. His gelled back silver hair not moving an inch as his wrinkled, but still somehow appealing grey eyes rest on me. Despite being in his 50's, he's in excellent shape.

They both stand in silence, as though in a stand-off, waiting for the other to move first. To slip up. A game he likes to play, but he's trained me too well to lose.

And yet, even though he is always the one to talk first, I still feel like a fly that has found its way trapped in his web. Like no matter what moves I makes, he always holds me as his prey. Its unsettling.

"Amelia, nice to see you wearing your victims home now"

A shrug, "You gave me no chance to shower"

"Oh, you'll have plenty of time for that in a few moments. I've got another target for you. This one is... slightly different. Not an immediate kill"

My face remains stoic as my interest rises. Lately, Eugene has just been sending mye on quick assassinations, ticking names off his blacklist. It's been a while since I really had to pursue someone.

"I have suspicions that a business man in town, by the name of Charles Parker, is dealing in proceedings he has no business in. I want you to trail him, catalogue everything you see and report back to me weekly. If I'm right and Parker is running the... dealings I think he is, we must ensure I come out the most advantageous. Agreed?"

I simply nod my head, accepting his orders. "What dealings should I be looking into?"

"Oh that, for now, is none of your concern."

At this, I grows incredulous, "how would you suggest I bring back information on activities I don't know about?"

At this, Eugene simply smiles, a cold, calculating and predatory smile that makes my bones stiffen and skin tremble. "You'll figure it out."

Then with a wave of his hand, now seemingly bored with my presence, I's dismissed.

At this I simply swallow back my retort, raise my chin and exits the room. Feeling my wild Auburn curls bounce against my scalp with my movement.

If Eugene decided not to supply information, then I would simply have to find it myself. At least for the next few weeks whilst this mission was in progress I would have some freedom.

I could leave this dreaded manor at any time I wished, escape Aaron's leering gazes and laze around on rooftops far from here. Yes, I'd have to stalk a boring business man but small prices to pay.

This was my life, no point in growing upset. I was simply destined to be a puppet in Eugene's game, to be his plaything and dealer of death whenever he chose.

That's what I was bought for, and that's the role I would play. All thoughts of rebellion would remain in my imagination. There was no escape from this. So I would do the one thing I had control over in this moment.

I was going to take that shower.