C21 Dark aura

James Monrow was the butler of Meyer Mansion for as long as Meyer Mansion was around. at fifty years old, he was sharp, with the determination of a military commander, and he was very much the butler that Nickolas had met years ago. over the years his duties at the Mansion changed to accommodate Nickolas and his growing needs.

Nicholas was against a house full of servants, and for years it was just him and James, with James overseeing everything inside the Mansion. but now he was more of Nickolas's right-hand man at home. with that added benefit, he left the cottage that he used to occupy outside the Mansion and moved inside the house to be closer to Nickolas. but he frequented his cottage for his leisurely activities.

The cottage was located behind the Mansion.

James had spent a lot of time over the years turning it to his taste. he planted trees all around it to enclose it. its entrance was neatly tugged behind tall shrubs away from prying eyes. it was the only place in the whole Meyer Mansion, where James could truly be himself. and Nickolas understood that a man was entitled to his share of privacy, he never questioned James when he wanted to be surrounded by bush trees. because he inclined toward a simple view.

James was excited as he opened the door to his cottage. the time was 7:45 pm. the cottage consisted of one bedroom, a bathroom, and an open-plan lounge area with a kitchen.

the lounge area was cozy, with lush carpets and scattered cushions on his mustard velvet couch.

He kept on looking at the time as he paced around the little area. he hated waiting.

A knock at the door disturbed his pacing. His heart was pounding so hard he thought it would come out of his mouth. when he opened the door, the lights inside his cottage were turned low, for a minute, he and his visitor remained at the door, sensing each other more than anything, and then Tom strolled past him and went inside the cottage.

Once again he realized how attractive he found him now that he was out of his work clothes.

he closed the door and flicked the lights completely off, he found the other man's hand and pulled him in the direction of the bedroom, which was in total darkness.

when they reached the bed, their mouths collided, their clothes disappeared in agitated movements, and a moment later, a surge of excitement hit them. they rode on the wave of passion until they were spent.

They lay on the bed savoring the aftermath of their lovemaking.

"Come closer." James pulled the other man to him.

"You liked that?" his voice hoarse.

"You know how much I enjoy our time together."

"Mmmh." James pitched a nipple. "Now leave my cottage." He said his voice stern as he got out of bed and sauntered towards the bathroom to take a shower.

James relished having sex with the young male servants in his cottage regularly. there was something so dangerously alluring about having his way with the pliable, young man that worked the grounds at the Meyer Mansion over the years. his latest flavor, the twenty-year-old Tom had been particularly interesting. they did disgusting and shameful things to each other's bodies that he enjoyed mightily. the boy was not only talented in working the grounds of the Mansion with his hands. but he had other talents as well, particularly his mouth. the thought of him gave James goosebumps.

*****

Later that evening, showered and smelled of fresh soap. James sat in Nickolas's private study. going over Amelia's file. he compiled and kept files on everyone who entered the Mansion. he wanted to know beforehand who he was dealing with.

Nothing was interesting in her file to suggest that she could be capable of malice. James realized that because of her family wealth background, she might not have been used to rejection. which would suggest that she could be capable of threatening Grace. and people did funny things when they were rejected. he made a mental note to call the private investigator to locate her, it was about time he updated her file.

Nicolas walked into the study and went straight to the liquor bar. if James noticed that ever since Grace came back to the Meyer Mansion Nickolas had been spending extra time at the office, he did not mention it. He couldn't remember the last time he saw them together for breakfast. when Nickolas came back from work and in the mornings before he left for work, he spent time in Niells room before Grace woke up. he dismissed the thought from his mind and continued to page through the file.

when Nickolas came to sit opposite the older man, He handed him the note in question. he looked at it and the two men were going over the day's events and if there had been anything amiss in the past few days to suggest suspicious movements with the staff.

Nicholas had the note clenched in his hand.

he read it and re-read it.

{The is no place where you will go, that I won't find you, Grace}

his eyes burned a hole into the note. he was having a hard time controlling his breathing. if there was anything he hated was being threatened but he found out that night, the idea of his family being threatened pissed him off even more.

"She's gone too far." he strengthened his gaze from the note. his eyes landed on a framed picture of Neill on his desk.

"That she has." James knew who Nickolas was referring to.

"How did Grace take the news?"

"I'm afraid, she was shaken, she seemed composed after I downplayed the note."

Nicholas nodded. he poured himself another drink.

Women came and went in the Meyer Mansion, but James remained a permanent accessory. sometimes he thought he was the real Mistress of Meyer Mansion.

Nickolas Meyer was a tycoon with shattering skeletons in his closets that no one knew about, James made sure that no one ever will. the road to the top hadn't been paved with roses and sweet aroma. with James silently by his side, he had soured to the top like an Eagle. and he preferred it that way.

James glanced at the metal watch on the wall. it was after eleven pm. he needed some sleep if he was going to function properly. he knew what sweet dreams he will be having that night.

"What do you want me to do about her?" He asked casually

Nickolas took a long sip from his glass, and all the while his eyes stayed on James's face.

his stare was dark.

James nodded.

The aura in the room had changed. James pulled on his coat tighter.

Nickolas turned on his heel and left the office.