Warm arms wrapped around Devyn as he stood before the body-length mirror and donned his cuff links. The human leaned into the man holding him and let out a pent-up sigh.

"How are you?" Denzyl asked comfortingly as Devyn clasped on the last cuff link.

"Nervous," Devyn answered with a short breath.

"Do you still want to go?" Denzyl inquired as he rested his chin on the human's shoulder. Devyn looked the demon in the eyes and nodded through the mirror. "I can't afford to miss it."

Denzyl nodded in understanding and kissed the top of Devyn's head. Noticing the demon's tie was loose, Devyn turned around in the demon's arms and took Denzyl's tie in his hands. Denzyl smiled down at Devyn as the human tightened the tie and smoothed out his shirt and vest.

"You ready?" Devyn asked as Denzyl's hands slid down to his waist.

"Mm," Denzyl sounded with a nod. "Are you?"

Devyn replied with a nod before sweeping a loose strand of hair out of Denzyl's forehead. "You look nice all dressed up," the CEO complimented with a smile.

"Only the best for you," Denzyl returned with a smile.

"Tsh." Devyn rolled his eyes slightly at the demon's cheesiness.

"What? You said you like it," Denzyl pouted.

Devyn looked up at the demon's face and could not help but laugh a little. How can a pouting demon look so cute? He could tear me to smithereens, and I would still say "how cute!" "Come on," Devyn said as he shook off his chuckle and took Denzyl's hand. "We don't want to be late."

<<<<<<>>>>>>>

"Mr. Devyn Vaumyr," the man at the entrance announced as Devyn entered the conference room followed by Denzyl and Astrid. Numerous CEOs and group leaders had already assembled, producing a quiet rumble of conversation which was momentarily disrupted when Devyn entered. Several heads turned to look Devyn's way, eyes following the young CEO as he walked to his chair. Once Devyn was seated, the quiet rumble resumed. Denzyl stood directly behind Devyn while Astrid took a chair lined against the wall with a desk provided for secretaries to easily take notes.

"Mr. Vaumyr," a voice to Devyn's right sounded as the CEO took his seat.

Devyn turned and greeted the man, "Mr. Medea."

"How has business been?" The man inquired to open up a conversation with the young CEO.

Devyn took a good look at Jon Medea, CEO of Medea Tech, who hardly ever greeted him, the supposed young and naive puppet CEO of Vaumyr and Co. who was fighting to regain control over his company from the infamous host of the present conference. Why is Medea talking to me now? Has word of me holding the most shares already spread this quickly? Wil must be fuming if he knows these many people are aware of him losing control over Vaumyr and Co.

Devyn suspected there was an underlying reason Medea had greeted him, so he remained cautious and answered carefully. "Business has been business. Nothing eventful has occurred. Vaumyr and Co. is still Vaumyr and Co."

"Really now?" Medea scoffed with a raised brow and chuckled at the young man's answer.

"Mm," Devyn sounded as he raised his brow at the man. "Was something eventful supposed to happen?" Devyn asked in a low tone, hoping to poke out some information.

Medea laughed nervously as he responded, "Forgive my rudeness. I just meant to congratulate you on owning thirty-seven percent of the shares to Vaumyr and Co."

"Vaumyr and Co. is my company. Is it such an event for the CEO to own his company?" Devyn retorted although he was aware of the big splash the news must have made. Most of the CEOs here do not own their company. I am one of the few.

"It is such a feat. A feat to be congratulated. If we had champagne, I would toast you," Medea responded.

"I appreciate the congratulations," Devyn thanked with a slight tilt of his head.

"Of course, of course."

"How is business for Medea Tech?" The young CEO inquired. Medea Tech was a company founded by Medea's great-grandfather, but through poor management, the Medea family currently cumulatively owned only six percent of the company.

"Business is business." Medea copied Devyn's words in reply.

Devyn hid a scoff in a smirk as he nodded at Medea. "Very good." Something happened at Medea Tech. A new deal was struck. Medea's response piqued the young CEO's interest. Why would Medea greet me when he has just struck a deal? Unless...the deal includes me? Devyn's walls and defenses rose as he continued cautiously. "I suppose nothing eventful has occurred?"

A glint entered Medea's eye as he opened his mouth to speak; however, he was cut off by the announcement, "Wil Kossen!" The room immediately became silent as the host of the conference entered. Devyn sat up straight against the chair and folded one leg over the other while interlacing his fingers and resting them in his lap. The human's face became cold as he lifted his head and stared at the wall behind the man who sat across from him.

Devyn could feel those icy eyes zone in on him, making the young CEO freeze in his chair. No, no, no, not now. I cannot freeze up now. Devyn's heart began to race as he felt the dominance of his fiancé as the tall blonde neared him. The panic did not last long, however, as warmth began to spread through the human. Devyn relaxed when he felt Denzyl's hand resting on his shoulder, filling him with a sense of support and protection.

Devyn's body loosened, and courage entered the young CEO. The brown-haired waited until Wil had just passed him, but the man's gaze was still lingering to flick his green eyes up and stare at his fiancé straight-on. Wil seemed surprised by Devyn's act of defiance, but it was only for a split second before a smirk curled onto his lips. Devyn's gaze followed Wil for a few more steps before dramatically returning to the wall as the host took his seat toward the end of the table.

"Greetings and thank you for attending this conference," a balding man greeted as he stood to his feet. "Before we start, I would like to give a special thanks to Wil Kossen for hosting this two-day conference." A round of applause sounded as Wil stood and bowed. Devyn did not applaud. "Now, to business." The sounds of screens and tablets activating filled the room as the attendees pulled up the roster for the conference, and the meetings commenced.

<<<<<<>>>>>>>

By the conclusion of the first day, Devyn was exhausted. Attending meeting after meeting and working to create deals and contracts with other prestigious companies was taxing, and the young CEO was at his limit. Overall, the day had not been too bad considering Devyn had not seen Wil since the opening meeting. He supposed it could have been worse.

Resting his elbow on the table, Devyn set his head in his hand and heaved a sigh. He was one of the few remaining businessmen as most of the others had left after striking the alliances they wanted. Devyn had two more deals to obtain, but those could wait for tomorrow. The CEO was suddenly very grateful the conference spanned two days.

"Are you ready to go?" Denzyl asked softly as he sat in the empty chair to Devyn's left. Devyn had already sent Astrid home, so it was just Denzyl and Devyn who were left.

The CEO lifted his head and nodded sleepily. "Let's go home."

Denzyl stood and helped Devyn to his feet in response to the CEO's tired response. The demon and human exited the conference room only to be met by the one and only Jon Medea. "Mr. Vaumyr! I was hoping to catch you before you left. Come, have a drink with me! I have something to discuss with you," Medea greeted as he saw the green-eyed CEO.

Devyn hid his tired expression and attempted to persuade Medea to meet tomorrow. "The conference has another day and endless drinks. Let's meet tomorrow. It is late already."

"But, Mr. Vaumyr, you see...this is urgent," Medea shook his head as he pressed Devyn to meet with him. The brown-haired remained silent and let the man explain. "I wish to speak with you...in private," Medea's eyes rolled up to glance at Denzyl toward the end of his sentence to indicate the CEO's bodyguard's presence was not wanted.

Speak with me? About what? Devyn's curiosity and caution were peaked. This is most likely a scheme developed by Medea and a person who remains in the shadows. "Very well," Devyn agreed as he decided to figure out what the man was up to. "I'll have one glass. I will leave once I am finished."

"Very good." Medea bowed and extended his hand, "After you."

Denzyl followed as Devyn began walking down the hallway. Medea came to walk beside the emerald-eyed and guided the CEO to a private room. Devyn felt Denzyl's gaze follow after him as the human entered the room and the demon stayed behind. The door was closed once Medea entered, separating the demon from the human. Devyn looked around the room but did not see any sofas, and the drinks were put away in glass cases set against the wall. It was a billiard room. The few chairs present were in the corners, making the space unfit for a meeting. Surely, Medea does not want to do business in a billiard room.

"Ah! Do not worry. I have arranged for a better room," Medea stated when he saw Devyn's expression. "Please, follow me."

Devyn's eyes narrowed as he cautiously followed Medea across the room and through a door in the farthest wall. The CEO grew suspicious as they passed through another room and then another until they arrived at a small, private lounge. One bottle of red wine and a single bottle of whiskey stood on a table between the two sofa chairs. Medea motioned for Devyn to sit in the chair facing away from the door as he took the other.

"You went out of your way to acquire this meeting," Devyn commented cautiously as he took his seat.

"Ah, yes. I do apologize for the maze I took you through to get here. This was one of the last rooms available when I booked it."

"I see." Medea is obviously lying, but I might as well play along. Maybe this way I can figure out what he has up his sleeve.

"Whiskey, correct?" Medea assumed as he lifted the whiskey bottle from the stand.

Devyn nodded in confirmation and watched Medea closely as he poured the liquor into a short crystal glass. There was nothing suspicious, so Devyn accepted the cup as Medea poured himself a glass of red wine. The CEO took a sip after watching Medea drink from his cup. The liquor was smooth and strong. "This is a good whiskey," Devyn complimented the drink as was the custom before starting a private meeting.

"Thank you. It was a gift," Medea responded as he took another sip of the red wine.

Devyn raised a brow at Medea's answer. "I didn't know you had a liking for liquor." Medea was renowned for his love of red wine. He perceived all other drinks as tasteless. It is interesting that someone gifted Medea a bottle of whiskey. They must have failed in their negotiations.

"Ah, this was not a gift for me, but rather for you." A sly glint entered Medea's eye as he smirked at the man sitting across from him.

Devyn's eyes narrowed as he looked at Medea with great suspicion.

"You see, I asked you here today on behalf of someone," Medea revealed as he crossed his legs and swished the wine in his cup in satisfaction.

Devyn's mind began to grow foggy with Medea's sentence. The green-eyed shook his head to get rid of the dizziness filling his mind, but it was to no avail.  

"I personally have no business with you, but he does."

Devyn shut his eyes tightly as Medea's words echoed throughout his mind. The man's face grew blurry, and the bottles began to split into several separate objects as Devyn's breathing became strained. "What...wha...how...?" Devyn asked through heaves as his breathing grew rapid from the oncoming anxiety.

"Ah, that!" Medea raised his brows at Devyn's inquiry. "The whole bottle was laced."

"You bastard," Devyn cursed as he tried to stand to his feet only to fall onto the arm of the chair. The sound of a door opening accompanied Medea's wicked chuckle. How could I have been so dumb? Why didn't I think the whole bottle could have been laced? This is not the kind of scheme I was expecting from Medea. I thought he would have dealt with me through stocks and sales rather than drugging me and hauling me off to who knows where.

Devyn's heart began to race when the sounds of footsteps neared. The green-eyed tried one last time to stand to his feet, but he found himself falling to the floor. The human's eyes grew heavy as the faint outline of a tall man hovered over him.

"Hello, Devyn," the voice greeted. Even though Devyn's hearing was dimmed, he could recognize that voice anywhere. "Like the gift?"

Why is he here? What does he want with me? There is no way I am giving Vaumyr and Co. back to him, so what does he want?! Why does it have to be Wil?!!

Devyn watched helplessly through heavy lids as Wil retrieved a long strip of black cloth from his pocket and bent down to hover above the fading human. Wil's piercing gaze was the last thing Devyn saw before he was blindfolded.

"Sleep well, Devyn," Wil's voice echoed through Devyn's mind as the drug took full effect, and he fell unconscious.