Beast:
Irritated over her lack of ability to open the book, Helena joined Sigmund to investigate the bell. She instantly wished she hadn’t.
Sitting inside her salon was a man she’d never seen, and standing behind him, another. Helena was quickly learning the telltale signs of power and confidence. The man sitting before her oozed both. He did not rise when she entered the room.
“May I introduce Jacob Rudolph Beast,” the man who stood said in a clear voice like he was in a grand ballroom. At the last sound of the introduction, Beast rose and reached for Helena’s hand. She found it fake, choreographed, and rehearsed.
Years of conditioning took over, and she offered her right hand to him.
“I am so glad to meet you. I’ve been waiting for a long time, and I felt this would no longer wait.”
