Page 37 of Prince of Darkness

Ispend the first few hours of my morning in my office. I don’t have much that needs my attention and boredom begins to settle in, once again. It’s no better at home in my empty condo. I’ve had trouble concentrating all day. My thoughts keep wandering to the innocent angel that has me all out of sorts. It’s almost ridiculous that a stranger's voice can have me so worked up, to the point that I had to go home and give myself some relief in order to keep my shit together. It didn’t work.

I should be hearing from my sister any time now. I’m sure she’s received word that the debt has been paid. She’s probably biding her time before she calls me, so that she can come up with some other ridiculous idea to make me go on a blind date. I know she means well, but I’m not interested. Still, I need another debt to get what I want, so I’m going to play the game and act as though I am.

Speak of the little devil. My phone lights up and my sister’s name scrolls across the screen. I smile before I answer. I’m still not sure how easy it will be to get her to put out another debt on me but I’m going to try my hardest without being obvious. Then she’ll never do it.

I ready myself for our sparring battle. Not so much for fighting but playing whatever game my sister needs me to do so that I get what I want out of this call. I can only hope my nephews are near so they can help. Them being around can often act as a distraction to my sister, so that she’s not so sharp. When it’s her and me she can read me like a book. That’s one of the downsides of being close with your sibling. I’ll usually bend and do anything for Kim but her setting me up on dates is the one thing I put my foot down about. Especially now that I have my mind set on the telephone angel with the sweet voice.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this call, my dear sister?”

“You really paid the collection.” She sighs, sounding annoyed. “I can’t take your money.”

“You sound awfully upset for someone who got a nice chunk of change for only having to be a brat to get it.” I remind her that she’s the one that started this entire ridiculous situation.

“I don’t need your money,” she grits out. Unluckily for me, I don’t hear my nephews running around in the background. I know she doesn't need my money because she’s as smart as a whip and as business savvy as they come. She’d be running her own empire by now if motherhood hadn't taken over her life. Luckily for her, she has a husband that does well, so that she can do whatever she wants. She was never one to half ass anything. I knew when she got pregnant the first time that being a mom would come first. She’d put her everything into it. Now she has a little free time and she’s starting to build her own empire. Yet she still finds time to meddle in my love life. I know she’s not doing it for the money but to get on my last damn nerve. Her husband wouldn’t blink an eye if she went down to the bank and withdrew whatever she wanted. He only cares that she is happy, but that doesn’t get my best friend off my shit list for dating and marrying my sister. My only solace is that he does truly make her happy.

“Put the money into a trust for my nephews for college.” I tell her, hoping this will incentivize her to call in another debt against me.

“I want nieces and nephews and you’re stopping me from having them.” She lets out her frustration. “I don’t know what else to do about your dating situation.” She sighs because she’s dramatic. “I’m going to give you one more chance to make good on a date before I take even more drastic measures.” I can hear the wheels turning in her brain. I should have never said the college thing about my nephews because now Kim won’t feel as bad when she hopefully calls in the next debt. It’s going to cost me but my little telephone angel is worth whatever price my sister comes up with.

“I’m going to give you one more chance,” she says with authority. I smile because she’s playing right into my hands. “I’m setting up one last date and if you don’t show, you’ll live to regret the day.” She sounds smug.

“What will you do, call in another debt.” I try to say flippantly. I even fake type away on my computer, letting the keys sound loudly like I’m not paying attention to what she’s been going on about. She’s quiet for so long that I know she’s plotting.

“Why are you making this so difficult? I’m going to set up the date and you just show up.” She says it like that’s so easy. “if you don’t show up for this date, you better change every single phone number you have. You may consider moving as well, because I’m going to unleash the collection kraken on you.” I can hear her tapping her nail on her desk. It’s something she does when she thinks she’s won. I almost begin to laugh but contain myself.

I let out a long, deep, dramatic sigh as if I’ve been defeated. “Fine, I’ll agree to your ridiculous date but only so that you’ll leave me the hell alone. One date and this shit is done. You almost killed Mark with this nonsense. You know I can’t function without him.” I could if I had to but I just don’t want to. All these years of training him would be down the drain. Right now, I need him to focus on keeping the rest of my life in order while I discreetly work on getting my sister to put more debt against me.

“I agree to your terms. One date and I’ll let it go. But don’t you try and pull any funny business,” she warns, knowing me like the back of her hand. “You have to take it seriously, Max.”

“I’ve agreed to go on the date. Why the hell are we still going on about this?” I say in mock frustration.

“I’ll text you the details tonight,” she says with a sing-song tone. She thinks she’s won but I’m the one that’s winning in this situation. It’s worth every damn penny that I’m going to have to give up to my nephews for college. For me it’s a win-win. I get to do something good for my nephews and it gets me closer to making my little angel my wife.

“I would say thanks but I’m not happy about this entire situation. Tell the boys I said I love them and goodnight.”

“Make sure you’re free tomorrow night. Also, I love you and only want what’s best for you. Good night,” she says way too merrily before she hangs up the damn phone.

I may have agreed to go on this date but I have no plans of actually showing up. I’ll call whatever restaurant my sister picks out and make sure the woman’s meal is covered. Maybe I should also send a gift or something too? I have no idea. I’ll have Mark handle it for me. He’ll know what to do.

I debate calling my guy to get more information on this Mia Montgomery, but I’ll wait until tomorrow. It gives me something to look forward to. It’s been a long time since I had something like this in my life. Tonight might last an eternity but good things come to those who wait. For my angel’s voice I am willing to play the long game. As long as it gets me her.

6

MIA

“How did I let you talk me into this?” I ask Amelia as I stare into the mirror in my bedroom.

“How did you get your closet to look like this?” She swipes through the hangers, finding that none of my clothes are up to the dating code. This is why I don’t go on dates. It is way too much work. I am already nervous about going out with a guy I don't know and now I have nothing to wear on top of it. I’m praying this date isn’t a disaster. Will there be long stretches of silence? Will he be weird or creepy? Will he be the one thinking that I’m those things? There are so many things to worry about. I leave my bathroom to fall back onto my bed.

“Hey, I just did your hair.” I reluctantly sit up because she is right. She did just do my hair by putting some curls into it. It actually looks really pretty. Date or not, I don’t want to mess it up. I hardly ever get dressed up but the little bit of makeup that she put on me and having my hair done makes me feel extra pretty today. “There is nothing in the closet I can use.” She holds up another shirt with kittens on it. “You have a lot of shirts with kittens on them for a person who doesn't even have a cat.”

I stick my tongue out at her. “Those are the only kittens I can have.” My apartment has a very strict no pets allowed rule. It is a bunch of crap. No one would ever know if I got one but I have an issue with breaking rules. I don’t do it.

“We can cancel,” I suggest.

“No way! Kim told me getting her brother to go on a date was like pulling teeth.” She puts my kitten shirt back before heading over to the giant bag she brought with her. I’m almost scared to see what’s in it. It’s probably miniskirts that barely cover the junk in my trunk and stripper heels that will kill my feet. I’ve always been in awe of the girls that can wear them all night. I’m just not one of them. I’m more of a wear them for an hour and switch into flats type of girl.

Great, so this guy doesn't want to be on this date either. Lovely. Maybe we can both cut to the chase as soon as we get there. We can agree to cut the date short so neither one of us is uncomfortable. This is a plan that I can get on board with. Although the thought of a date does have me a little excited. Plus we are going to one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city. With that thought, maybe we should skip out after dinner. No use in wasting our reservation.

---