Page 173 of The Monster and the Masochist

How dare he tell me to fucking calm down!?

The fucking audacity!

‘That’s it. I’m killing his ass too,’ I snarled to my monster, expecting it to jump at the opportunity to add yet another murder victim to our steadily growing list.

Instead of purring its approval like I’d assume it would, my monster just sighed and rolled its eyes.

‘He has a point, little killer. It is probably not wise to put our plans in writing–secure line or not. You are allowing your anger to get the better of you. You are taking this personally because of what happened to our street fighter when she was a child. Meredith is not Theodora.’

‘Since when are you the fucking voice of reason?!” I snapped, and my monster just chuckled.

‘Since this is the first time in over a decade that you seem to be willing to allow me to collect the blood I so desperately crave. I will be… vexed if your anger puts us behind bars before we are given the chance to earn our incarceration.’

‘I really fucking hate you sometimes,’ I growled, which again only seemed to amuse my monster more.

Before I could text Vox back and tell him exactly where I thought he should put his fucking attitude, the door to Edmund’s office opened, and he and Vivian finally strolled in.

“Sorry for the wait. Rush hour traffic was horrific,” Edmund said brusquely as he made his way to his desk to drop off his suit jacket and designer messenger bag.

Vivian beelined for his bar cart and asked Nolan and me if we wanted anything while she fixed herself a dry gin martini, and the violent, bubbling pot of fury in my gut threatened to spill over at how cavalier they were both being.

In their defense, they didn’t know the details of why we’d called this meeting, but I was triggered as fuck.

I couldn’t get the image of that monster touching Meredith out of my head.

His disgustingly soft, predatory voice echoed through my mind as my brain helplessly played the vile scene I’d seen over and over again.

‘Such a good girl, Meredith.’

‘So docile.’

God… I couldn’t wait to make that man fucking scream for me.

‘Easy, killer. Soon. We must cut all ties with him first. Telling your superiors is the first step. Then, when it is safe to do so, we will kill him. I will make all your blood-soaked fantasies come true. I promise,’ my monster soothed me, and for once, its voice in my head did more to calm me than irritate me.

I nodded. Forcing my rage down, I pulled on my professional mask as Viv and Edmund settled into the couch opposite Nolan and me.

“So, what is so important that it warranted an emergency six pm meeting?” Vivian asked, taking a delicate sip of her martini.

I opened my mouth to respond, but Nolan beat me to it, and both Vivian and Edmund looked shocked at the amount of venom in his tone.

“We called this meeting to inform you that the firm will be firing Reverend Elias Sterling as a client, effective immediately. If you refuse to comply, Cassandra and I will walk. This is not negotiable.”

My mouth dropped open right along with Edmund and Viv, but Nolan didn’t flinch.

‘Holy shit. Damn, Nolan. Didn’t think you had it in you.’

‘Hmm. This one has grown on me. He’s reminiscent of a fungus. Outwardly unpleasant but inherently useful if you know how to use him,’ my monster mused, and I almost snorted out loud.

Both Edmund and Vivian turned to face me. Their expressions quickly smoothed from the brief look of shock at Nolan’s threat, but it had been there. I’d seen it. They were both shaken.

“Mrs. Walker, I must admit I’m impressed. You must tell me how you managed to manipulate your competition so thoroughly,” Edmund mused before exchanging a look with Vivian. “We were wondering how long it would take you to come up with something like this. Though I must say, Mr. Cross. I’m surprised you gave in so easily.”

Vivian chuckled softly and swirled her drink in her glass.

“I suppose I won the bet. Edmund here thought you would at least make it to court before Mrs. Walker outmaneuvered you.”

Nolan was frowning at them in confusion, and to be honest, it took me a moment to realize what they thought was happening here.