Page 4 of Greed

“That’s brilliant!” George’s eyes lit up as the greed that flowed through his veins pumped wildly through his heart with a deep rhythmical sound that called to me. George’s lip curled up as his excitement built. “You three are with me, and we will take on the television division.” He pointed to the three closest to him and jumped up like a kid at Christmas to run and get started. Or at least it was what I assumed kids looked like at Christmas, another moronic human creation. I mean, really, who came up with a fat man in a red suit delivering gifts for free? For free! He shook his head at the notion.

It really was quite sad how easily humans could be manipulated and persuaded with the dangling of money and power under their noses. I watched as the rest began to pair up and take off, each with their own simmering and greed-filled agenda. It was like watching a corporate version of Survivor as the remaining people chose their favorites to play in their sandbox. I tapped my chin as I watched the chaotic humans argue and wondered who would be voted off the island this time. There was always one that was left out.

Once the last of the hairless cats scampered out, I sat down at the computer to go over the latest fiscal quarter. To anyone else, it may have been the most boring read in the universe, but not to me.

Neven rose from the leather chair he’d been lounging in and strolled across the room, a glass of whiskey dangling between his fingertips. “You want to go to Dia’s fight club tonight or maybe hit up Triel’s new restaurant, Ekron? Just to do something different.”

“No, and no, not tonight. Wait a minute, Triel? Why in the name of Hell would you want to go to Gluttony’s new place? Although you know I love Vegas, but I have zero interest in seeing that gloomy fucker.”

Neven shrugged. “The food is supposed to be awesome, and I find him odd but highly interesting.”

I lifted my brow at Neven. Not that I cared who or what my demon friend fucked, but even he should have limits. Gluttony was not the demon you ever wanted to get into bed with, in any context.

“Would it do me any good if I said stay away from him?”

“I’m not interested in a relationship with him. I just find him fascinating. Once, I saw him order a demon to pluck out a human’s eyes while the demon fucked its mouth. What can I say? It was hot.”

“I’ll take your word for it, but know that if you go, you may not return.” I turned my eyes back to the computer screen and smirked as I scrolled to the line that showed the total growth over the last quarter. We were up almost fifteen percent across all divisions of the company.

“Fine, I guess I will find something else to do,” Neven grumbled as he pouted like a human child, which considering his substantial age, was impressive.

“Like Skye,” I countered, and Neven laughed.

“Yeah, I would, but she’s still visiting Asmodeus’s palace. Not the best idea for her to hang around the demon of Lust’s place, but she insisted on going. He does have great orgies, but last time I went, I was gone for months, and my cock wouldn’t stand straight for a whole month when I got back.” Neven looked down at his crotch and patted the front of his pants. “I thought the thing was broken.”

“That was a little too much information.”

A soft rap at the door had both of our heads turning in that direction. Shilo stood just outside the door, his back straight, his face void of all emotion. He was the constant professional. I had no idea why Shilo wouldn’t stop with the old formalities. We were no longer in Heaven, and I was no longer the angel that I’d once been.

“Shilo, is everything alright?”

“Yes, Master, all is fine. I’ve come to see when you’d like me to have the car readied?’

I peeked at the time and then at the screen. I wanted a solid hour to go over the latest reports first, my little colorful graphs of joy. “Give me an hour, and I will be ready to head out.”

“Very good Master, I will see to it. Neven, will you be attending the residence this evening?”

“No, I’m heading out, but thanks for the invite. We all know Riker wouldn’t have bothered to invite me over.”

I smiled as Shilo answered the teasing jest. “Master works very hard and diligently to provide us with a level of comfort that I’m sure you have grown accustomed to, Neven. Maybe you should appreciate that he considers you a friend at all.”

Neven opened his mouth and then closed it again, not daring to argue with the much older angel. Fallen or not, Shilo could still hold his own if needed.

Neven tipped back the rest of the whiskey, the glass making a thud as he placed it on the corner of the desk. “See you later Riker. I’m out.”

I watched my friend leave along with Shilo close on his heels. Pulling up my sleeve, I stared at the symbol of greed, the brand a constant reminder of my traitorous Father and my fall from grace to this armpit of the universe called Earth. I’d used to see it as a stain on what I’d become, but no longer. Maddix was dead, and Riker was all I craved to be now. The joke was on Him because I not only embraced my role as one of the seven deadliest sins—I mother fucking owned it.

Minetta stood away from her desk and stretched, raising her arms above her head as she tilted from side to side. She adored her job, but the long shifts at the computer taking calls took its toll on her body. Yoga was a must for her to stay limber, so she twisted from side to side, slowly taking in her fellow coworkers and the space that surrounded all of them. She had no idea why they would paint this place such a drab grey with matching cubicle areas. It seemed like they wanted everyone to be depressed all the time. Minetta bent over at the waist and let her arms hang forward. Her fingers brushed over her toes as her back eventually relaxed enough that she could grab the tips of her shoes.

“That is one nice ass,” Jared’s voice called out.

She peeked around her leg, and sure enough, he was standing on the raised walkway with one of the other guys that worked in the building. They leaned on the railing as they openly gawked at her. Jared gave her a wink as he stuck his tongue out, waving it up and down suggestively.

Ugh, gross.

She continued to exercise, ignoring their comments, and rolled her shoulders before taking her seat once more.

“Stay bent over like that for too long, and you might find you get a juicy surprise from behind,” Jared said.