Broken Legacy

Prologue

The only thing that saved my sanity was the yipping neon green poodle. I’d been dealing with irritated clients all damn day but when the Elvira look-a-like came in with the miniature poodle decked out with a giant spiked collar it caught my attention fully.

“How can I help you?” I questioned eyeing the aging beauty. Her cleavage was so high and pointy it was blatantly surgical.

“I need to make an appointment to speak with Mr. Samuelson,” she said coolly.

Working the front desk of a mall based talent agency was not my ideal profession but at the moment Mr. Samuelson was kind of a savior to me so I was helping him out. I glanced down at the schedule looking over the times.

“The earliest he’s free is Monday at 1pm, would that work for you?” I queried catching her gaze.

“Of course,” she nodded with a smile. I could tell by the look on her face I’d disappointed her by my non-reaction. It made me smile. I filled out the appointment card and handed it to her.

“Your name,” I asked pencil poised over the schedule.

“Elvira,” she answered with a smug look.

“Shall I put it under Cassandra Peterson,” I retorted using Elvira’s real name and her eyes narrowed.

“Just Elvira.”

“And will Algonquin be joining you?” I questioned glancing down at the dog.

“Yes,” she hissed.

“Very well,” I agreed my hand moved over the book smoothly. “Thank you for considering Wishing Star Talent. Mr. Samuelson will see you and Algonquin at 1pm.” I gave her my cheeriest smile and she left in a huff.

Maybe it was me. Nah!

It was nearly five on Friday and I started going through the motions of closing down when the door chime went off. I glanced up at the three men cautiously.

“Welcome to Wishing Star how may I help you?” I called blankly.

“It’s ok Natasha they’re friends,” Mr. Samuelson called from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder at him. He was smiling happily at the three but it didn’t make me feel any better.

Doug Samuelson was a strange middle-aged man on most days but I saw something flash in his dark brown eyes that gave me start. He wasn’t much taller than me but he had a way of towering me that made me nervous.

His eyes caught mine and shifted back to the patient serene stare. “Are you well my dear?” he murmured.

Some days it felt like I owed him my life, other days it felt like he was taking payment with my soul. “I’ll leave you to your friend’s sir, have a pleasant weekend.”

“Natasha,” he sighed but stepped back. I gathered my bag flinging it over my shoulder as I gave him a wide birth.

“You don’t have to go on our account,” one of the men called coolly. I shot them a hesitant look. They were blocking the front door effectively.

“Yeah Doug has told us a great deal about you Natasha. We’d love to talk to you,” the middleman cooed.

My eyes flicked to the last man and I shivered. Who were these ‘friends’? “Unfortunately I have an appointment I must get to,” I said slowly. The last man lifted his disbelievingly royal blue gaze to mine. I shivered again. “Have a nice night gentlemen,” I called moving down the hallway and out the back door at all but a run.

I let out a heavy breath as I wove through the labyrinth that was the employee’s halls of the mall until I got to the exit. I stepped out looking at the pitch black sky with trepidation. It was a storm. I hated storms.

I glanced around the surprisingly quiet parking structure but forced my feet to move. I was on the fourth level so I needed to take the elevator up. I kept glancing around. The feeling of being watched was crawling over my skin.

In the elevator I saw the reason. Old-blue eyes, was watching me intensely through the glass wall as I left him on the first floor. My heart speed up and when the elevator dinged open he took off in a run towards the stairs. Shit, shit, shit!

I took off in a sprint over the concrete keys in hand. One glance confirmed my fears seeing his swift approach. I looked at my car and saw a man walking casually near. I ran to him and his eyes widened. “Help,” I said winded as I neared him. “There’s a man chasing me.”

“Easy miss,” he soothed glancing over my shoulder. “He’s run off,” he assured. I risked a look back and saw blue eyes retreating body.

I exhaled shakily rubbing my quaking thighs. “God that scared me,” I breathed looking back at the man. He took a step into me and I put a hand up stopping him.

I pulled back automatically when I realized his skin was sticky to the touch. I saw the ooze cling to my fingertips and lifted my fearful gaze to his transforming form. The middleman smiled wickedly and my brain flipped. “What in the . . .” the words left me as I fell forward, my brain swimming.

“A mild anesthetic,” he cooed catching me. “Don’t worry Natasha I’ve got you.” The less than comforting thought was the last thing I remembered before everything went dark.