Osiris Read online

  Eve ran her gaze up and down Tanya and gave a smile. Tanya swore her teeth were a little more pointed than most people’s, but she pushed the thought away. “Enjoy,” Eve said as Tanya filled out the little questionnaire. She put her name in the women’s box and then Eve handed her and Morgan little numbers.

  “These will be your starting tables. The men will move at the buzzer tonight. Each round is five minutes. Enjoy!” She waved them further into the room.

  Small round tables with red table clothes draped over them were set out throughout the room. Two chairs sat at each table and a number marker stood proudly in the middle of each.

  Anxiety ate at Tanya’s stomach. “You know, I think that maybe…” Tanya turned to leave, and Morgan grabbed her wrist.

  “Stay at least one round. I think you’ll have fun. And come on, it beats guys trying to paw at us on the dance floor, looking for a one-night hook up.”

  She had a point there. Tanya looked around as others filtered in. She tilted her head as someone with wings appeared in the room, and someone with horns, and a few people with different eyes… “Morgan?”

  “Yes, Tanya, you’re in my world now.” She grinned. “Just play nice. No one here will hurt you. There’s none of those shadow creatures lurking down here,” she promised and squeezed Tanya’s hand. “In fact, because you’re in my world, you’re in the safest place possible.”

  Tanya let those words sink in and took a deep breath. “Okay.” Morgan was trusting her with this, seeing her world. She could do this with her friend. “Okay, let’s do this.”

  “That’s my girl.” Morgan nudged her. “Head to your table. The guys should get their starting table soon.”

  Tanya nodded and went to find her table. It was in the last row, and she found herself relieved. At least she wouldn’t be stuck between tables and people, and there was enough space between that would allow easy movement between the tables. She sat down and then looked up as a tall, dark man walked into the room.

  He ran his hand over his bald head as his dark gaze danced around the room. Landing on her for a moment, making her shiver, and then his gaze moved on. His black suit looked out of place among the other patrons, who were either dressed like going to a club or dressed casually. He stopped at the table and talked to Eve before she handed him a number and a card and waved him away.

  Tanya swallowed a lump in her throat as she studied the sharp lines of his jaw, dusted with a bit of a five o’clock shadow. His broad shoulders looked great in the suit, and she imagined him coming from some sort of CEO job as he sat down and loosened the tie at his throat.

  She wanted him to sit down at her table, but he was three away and she hoped he’d make it to hers before she gave up on the night, or before he gave up. A guy with large white wings sat in front of her and gave her a smile.

  “Hey sweetheart.” He grinned at her. “Ready to get this started?”

  And with that, the buzzer went off, signaling their first speed date.

  Osiris was almost late to the speed dating. He’d gotten caught up in negotiations over a new contract his company wanted, and so he’d come straight here in his suit, which he regretted when he saw how casually everyone else had dressed. Most women had opted for something low cut or that showed their midriff, not that he really cared. He wouldn’t complain about the flashes of flesh that women choose to show. Everyone woman in this room oozed confidence in themselves.

  His eyes glanced over the room, searching for the woman that Morgan said would be here. First, he spotted the cat shifter with her sly smile as she ran her nails gently over the tablecloth at her table.

  She greeted him with a small raised hand and then jerked her head to the back table where a human sat. Osiris took in the black crop top that clung to her curves and had to move his gaze quickly so he didn’t stare at her. The purple in her hair added a nice touch of color to her outfit, and the look of confusion on her face tugged at his heart.

  There was no way she didn’t know she was among the supernatural now. Especially as angels and demons alike showed their wings. Many demons sported horns, and shifters and vampires weren’t afraid to show their true natures, letting their teeth sharpen and lengthen here. Eve welcomed everyone at her speed dating. The hope was that no one would eat or kill the humans.

  He sat at the table Eve assigned to him. He would make it to the human woman and learn what he needed. Get her contact information and from there, he’d make sure she was safe.

  He looked at the female demon in front of him and smiled as he sat down. The buzzer sounded, and he tried to remember how this was supposed to work. Was it yes or no questions only? Was it general ‘tell me about yourself’ questions?

  Luckily, the demoness saved him. “Sorry, Osiris, gods really aren’t my style.”

  He laughed. “Oh? Then what is your style?”

  “I’m looking for something a bit more… freeing, and not tied down to divine duties.”

  It was fair, especially being a god of the underworld. Things could get busy, and relationships were hard to maintain with that. “I’m sorry to disappoint.” He shook his head, but still smiled. He appreciated a woman who knew what she wanted.

  He jerked his head to signal to the table next to him. “Hopefully, he’ll have something for you.” One of his own people was sitting there, whispering to the woman at his table. “He only works three days a week and ninety percent of it is handling paperwork.”

  She laughed. “Maybe, maybe.”

  The buzzer went off, and he got up and switched tables. Most of his conversations went the same way: either the woman wasn’t interested in him, or he wasn’t interested in her. Different worlds, different interests, and extremely different personalities. Finally, he sat down in front of the woman Morgan had brought.

  “Hello, I’m Osiris.”

  She stared at him for a moment and bit her bottom lip. “The Osiris?”

  In a moment of weakness, he wanted to lean forward and kiss her. He talked himself out of it. “Yeah, that would be me. You are?”

  “Tanya Frisco.” She smiled, bringing light to her hazel eyes. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  She lifted one slender shoulder. “This wasn’t exactly how I expected to spend my birthday night.” She motioned around. “I had an idea that there were other things, that Morgan was something else, but this… this is a lot.”

  He searched her face and noted the overwhelmed look in her eyes. He wouldn’t be able to talk to her honestly here. She was processing everything going on around her, everything that she was suddenly learning.

  “Why don’t we get out of here, go upstairs, and have a coffee or go have a drink?” He offered. If they could get somewhere run by humans, then she’d probably feel much more comfortable, even if what he was going to discuss with her fell into the supernatural category.

  She glanced around, her gaze landing on Morgan, and she hesitated.

  Osiris gave a soft laugh. “Don’t worry about Morgan. She’ll catch up with us once this is done.”

  “You know her?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, she’s an employee of mine. Come on.” He stood and held his hand out. “Let’s go back to your world and chat.”

  She took a deep breath and stood, placing her hand in his. He grinned. “Hold on tight.” Her fingers tightened on his, and he used his powers to take them from speed dating to his favorite restaurant.

  They appeared in front of the brick building, the neon open sign casting pinks and blues into the night.

  “What happened to going upstairs to have a coffee? Or going to have a drink?” She squeaked a little, taking her hand back. “I wasn’t expecting to be taken to a completely different location. Where are we even?”

  He didn’t miss the panic in her voice, and he touched her cheek to look at him. “We’re just outside of town. This is my favorite restaurant.”

  She nodded, but he didn’t miss the slight shake of her body. “I… I need to let Morgan know where I am.”

  Osiris studied her for a moment. “You’re trembling.”

  “I don’t make a habit of going somewhere alone with a man, especially one I don’t know. God or not.”

  Anger curled inside him. What had happened to her that caused this fear?

  She pulled her phone out and hit a series of buttons. He assumed she was texting Morgan.

  A couple minutes later, his own phone dinged, and she raised a brow.

  Osiris pulled his phone out of his pocket and showed the message to her.

  Morgan:

  Dumbass

  Tanya’s mouth opened a little and the most delightful laughter fell out. “You really know her then.”

  He nodded. “That pleases you?”

  She seemed to straighten herself, shoving whatever fear away. “It’s always good to know Morgan has my back.”

  Interesting. He’d have to ask Morgan later why this woman trusted her so much.

  He opened the door to the building and motioned for her to walk in. “I hope you don’t mind that this is a little hole-in-the-wall place. They have the best steaks, and it’s owned by a local family.”

  She waltzed right through the door. “I prefer local, but I have to say I’ve never been here.”

  “It’ll be my pleasure to treat you to dinner, then.”

  They stepped up to the host stand, and a man stepped up to greet them. “Welcome, for two tonight?”

  Osiris nodded. “Please.”

  “Right this way.”

  The host led them through the crowd of tables covered with white clothes and tea candles on them. Most people wore suits and dresses while they sipped their wine and talked in hushed voices while they enjoyed their meals. Tanya stepped close to him, and he resisted the urge to take her hand. He could feel tension radiating off her and wanted to take the feeling away. Once they got to the table and seated, Osiris raised a brow. “Are you alright?”

  She folded her hands on the table. “Um, I’m not really used to being in such fancy places.” Embarrassment tinted her cheeks. “I work at a bar, and my idea of a fancy dinner is Olive Garden.”

  He slid a menu toward her. “There’s nothing to be uncomfortable about,” he promised.

  “Thank you,” she muttered and took the menu, her gaze scanning over the choices. He’d wait until they ordered to talk to her about what needed to happen, what was after her. The possibility of death was always best discussed with a glass of wine or two.

  The waitress came and Osiris ordered a bottle of wine for them to share, and they both ordered their meal. It wasn’t long before the wine came, and the waitress filled up a glass for them both.

  “Happy birthday.” Osiris smiled, lifting his glass in a cheers.

  She clinked her glass with him. “Thank you.”

  “Now…” he hesitated slightly as the smile faded from her lips. “We have something we need to discuss, Tanya. It has come to my attention, you are the target of one of my enemies. And I need to keep you alive.”

  CHAPTER 2

  Tanya stared at Osiris. “I’m sorry what?” He’d taken her to this restaurant, away from the speed dating, magically. The only comfort was that Morgan knew him and had promised Tanya that she was safe.

  However, right this moment, with her wine halfway to her mouth, pausing as he said he had to keep her alive… this felt far from safe.

  She waited for his answer without putting the glass down.

  “Morgan said the shadows attacked you seven months ago.”

  Tanya put the glass down. “That has nothing to do with anything.” Her heart raced as her mind tried to drag her back to that night. The shadows that had closed around her, the way Morgan had taken care of all of them with an iron dagger. The screams the shadows made. She put her hands in her lap, clenching her fingers together so she would stop shaking.

  “It is everything. Morgan set it up for us to meet tonight, so that I can bring you under my protection.” His voice was calm, almost soothing, coaxing her into believing what he was saying.

  He was insane. If he had anything to do with that attack, she should avoid him. “I think I should go.”

  “Please, Tanya, hear me out. You don’t have to make the choice tonight, but the sooner the better. I don’t know when those shadows will be back. I don’t know when he will make a move on you. What I know is that there is something you can either do or something you possess that makes you his target.”

  Her chest tightened as she thought about being trapped in that alley that her ex had left her in. How helpless she had felt. How she swore she wouldn’t feel that way again. She swallowed. “Who is this he? There’s nothing I have that’s of worth. I’m a human… that’s it.”

  Osiris sat back and sipped his wine, as if trying to think of his next words.

  The waitress came back with their plates and set them down. The two of them ate in silence, neither of them having anything else to contribute to the conversation. She finished her steak and set down her utensils. “Well, this has been an eventful birthday, but I think it’s time that I head home.”

  Osiris rubbed his eyes. “Please, consider my offer.”

  “You haven’t even made an offer. What you’ve done is tell me you have to keep me alive, keep me away from shadows and some nameless threat.” She forced a laugh. “That’s all.”

  He looked embarrassed and ran a hand over his bald head. “You’re right. Come work for me at my office. I can protect you there. You can move to the apartments on the upper floor. You’ll have everything you need.”

  It sounded like it would probably be a well-paying job, but it also sounded too true to be good. “Doing what?” she asked, meeting his dark gaze. There was something sexy about the sharp shape of his jawline, the way he scowled at her questions, like he wasn’t expecting her to ask so many and just bend to his will.

  If he was a god, then he was probably used to getting his way. But he sounded more like a gangster than a god. Enemies and secrets.

  “Secretarial work. I need someone to keep files in order, make phone calls, make sure trades are going through, and nothing is getting lost.” Osiris shrugged. “My last secretary left.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “Left?”

  “Yes, she moved on to a different job.” He raised a brow. “Nothing suspicious.”

  She pressed her lips together. It probably paid a lot better than the bar, however…

  The bar was her safe space.

  The people changed every night, except for a few regulars, but she knew what to expect. This whole situation with Osiris wasn’t predictable, wasn’t safe. And she was going to have to talk to Morgan about doing this to her.

  “I’ll think about it.” She took a sip of wine, knowing damn well she wouldn’t take the offer.

  Osiris picked up the black docket that the waitress had dropped off and put his card in it. The waitress walked by and took it a moment later. “Like I said, you don’t have to decide tonight, but soon.”

  It almost sounded like a threat to his voice. She made a note of that and nodded. “Thank you, for dinner.”

  “Of course, but you’re right. We should get back before Morgan blows up both of our phones.” He chuckled. The waitress brought the docket back, and he signed the receipt and pulled out a fifty to put on the table.

  “You tip nice.” She smiled. “Good.”

  He led her out of the restaurant and into the shadow of the building. “Hold on tight,” he whispered and pulled her close. She placed a hand against his chest as the world disappeared. When they reappeared, they were back in the room for speed dating. She pulled away from him and looked around.

  “Morgan’s not here.” Her eyes scanned over the remaining speed daters. Her phone buzzed, and she looked at the message.

  Morgan: Gone hunting.

  She pressed her lips together. Hunting. She let out a sigh and went to walk back up the stairs. Osiris caught her wrist as she turned.

  “Let me give you my number, in case you decide to take my offer.”

  She nodded and handed him her phone to input his number. If he turned out to be a crazy, she could block him.

  He handed it back without sending a text or anything to himself for her number. That was respectable. “Do you have a ride? I know Morgan brought you tonight.”

  She debated for a moment. “I’ll call a taxi. Thank you.” He seemed to hesitate for a moment, and she offered him a smile. “I’m going to go by work and have a drink with my friends there.”

  He nodded. “Be safe.” And with those words, he disappeared. Tanya walked up the stairs, leaving the idea of gods, angels, and demons behind her for now.

  Osiris appeared in his home in the Egyptian underworld, stalking around his rooms. Could the night have gone any worse? Of course, he freaked the human out by offering her a job and flat out telling her what was going on. He should have tried to fucking woo her first.

  If he had hair, he would have run his hand through it and pulled it all out. He shook his head and grabbed his phone to message Morgan. He’d seen the message over Tanya’s shoulder that Morgan was hunting. Which meant she’d seen or heard something at the speed dating that gave her a clue.

  If he couldn’t force Tanya to come under his protection, then he needed to take care of the problem. Nebu needed to be contained.

  He sent Morgan a message and waited. She typically responded right away, but if she was actually prowling after something, then it could be awhile before he heard back from her.

  Osiris sat at his desk and looked over the mound of paperwork sitting there. He wasn’t lying when he said he needed someone to keep the paperwork in order. He sucked at it, and it was going to take over his office soon if he didn’t get some type of organization figured out.

  Two hours later, he’d sorted things into invoices, schedules, and junk. He stared at the three piles and let out a groan before pushing away. He’d kept his mind off of Tanya and the way she looked in the crop top and the way the jeans smoothed over her hips perfectly. The confidence she held when she walked was a bonus to the sway of those hips.