Chapter 102 - Untimely Return

"Why in devil's name do you look so happy in the midst of this turmoil? Frankly my friend, it's ruining the hellish atmosphere in my office."

Dane's jaw nearly twitched as the devil uttered those words. Was it that obvious he was brimming with happiness? The bloody elections were tomorrow and yet...And yet, the beast couldn't help but continue checking his watch for the time as it was nearly time for him to return to his lynx. His smile however faltered to a frown with anything uttered out of the devil's lips.

It used to be that the devil's presence was enough to turn him into a foul mood. Regrettably and most unfortunaely, they had spent so much time in the other's presence as of late that he was becoming used to the devil. So now, Dane had unfortunately progressed to tolerating his presence. If Leo could keep his mouth shut then perhaps they'd get along far better.

"...Your office? Since when has my office become yours?"

"Everything you own and everything you are, will all become mine in due time."

The beast smirked, no longer afraid of the devil and his taunting. The more Dane faced Leo, the more he realized that some demons were better dealt with head on, right beside you as they were now.

"...Devil. Watch your back. When that time comes, we'll surely be foes."

"Noted. Ah, your happiness. Is it perhaps, that lovely wife of yours?"

"No, it's because I'm spending time with you," Dane sarcastically spat out, turning to glare at him and shook his head.

"...Foe."

Dane would never dare to utter the devil's name on his lips.

"Friend," the devil responded out of habit.

"Have you ever been in love?"

Silence met Dane, as if the universe must have surely paused time. Leo then laughed heartily like the mad joker he was, wiping a nonexistent tear away. Then his features turned starkly serious, almost bored. It was like the word 'love' itself was enough to revolt him.

"Love is but a game for two. You lose when you heart is taken away and I never lose."

For a moment of weakness, Dane really took the time to look at the devil. The devil before him knew his deepest darkest secrets and held his soul. To be more accurate, he knew majority of New Jersey's elite's secrets and had probably wrung countless of them dry. He didn't care to know the devil's story. Actually, what stirred inside Dane's heart was beginning to stem from his lynx.

It was the truth that kept haunting his eyes. He hated that this devil and troubled man before him, resembled Dane's former self. It was difficult watching how he would have ended just like Leo if not for such a fire igniting passion that changed his entire outlook on life.

"I pity you," he breathed out, raining down on the devil with eyes so sad one would fall privy to it.

This took Leo aback, as he slowly shook his head. "You...What? Hahaha! How strange, for a man to be pitying another man that he so despises. You should hate me and yet, here you are, claiming to pity me. Truly, what the world come to?"

The watch on his hand read that it was time for him to leave his duties. Truly, Leo and Dane had done all they could in regards to devising and spreading their efforts to find this Golden Deer figure. It was frustrating however. Leads on the Golden Deer were scarce. The imaginary figure and person they were looking for, was damn good at covering it's traces.

At least, preparations for the live elections were complete. It wasn't as if everything could go as planned. But if things didn't, then of course Dane was prepared for the worst. He stood from his seat and walked past Leo. Before disappearing, Dane placed one hand on the door and paused.

"...Mark my words, if there ever comes some unfortunate woman that you love, you'll suffer the worse hell to obtain that happiness or lose her completely to repent for your sins."

"That day will never come."

That's exactly what Dane imagined but that was where the devil was left unaware and wrong. For Dane, it's not like love came knocking on his walls. It tore them down without restraint, as everything came crashing down hard and fast.

If that day would ever come, his words would vow the truth to the devil.

***

Employees of Silver Linings shuffled out with Dane, most stopping by to greet him and others turning the other direction because his gaze radiated the mightiest death doom stare to any who dared to waste his precious time.

"Excuse me," one brave young man called out to him. "Mr. Blackwell! I had one quick question about today's meeting..."

One look was all it took to send the young man flying. He had a lynx to get home to. They could direct their concerns or whatever the hell it was they needed, to Cleo.

His secretary in question that stalked behind him, sighed. "Would it kill you to nicely turn them away? At this rate, you'll seriously flip the whole building upsidedown sir. Look..."

Per his request, Dane looked around and noticed everyone was at least a good distance away from him. Good. Any more delays and he'd have made anyone who dared to cross them, become sorry if his wife were the least bit upset at his lateness.

They reached outside and he checked his watch again, reveling in the fcat that he clearly still had more than enough time to make it home. Only then, could he grin happily as he opened the car door to climb inside. Just a few more moments longer and he could bask in his wife's sweet scent and feel and taste her soft skin upon plump, inviting lips.

His happiness faltered when a hand held onto the car door. He turned around and glared at the stranger that dared to risk his life.

"...Dane. It's me...Jake."