A Matter Of Justice (Grey Justice #4)(11)

Memories had to be put aside. All the hurt, anger, pain, and yes, even the joy, had to be dead before she walked through those doors. She had an agenda; she had goals. Those were the only things she needed to focus on.

Her mind, body, and heart once again in accord, Irelyn got out of the car. All emotions squelched, she looked up at the large structure with cool dispassion. At one time, she had believed it to be the most grand and beautiful place in the world. Now, she could see the flaws, the crumbling decay. Hill House would have been perfect as a mausoleum, or perhaps as a horror-movie setting.

Though it was still known as Hill House, the new owner had made some subtle changes. A new coat of paint here and there, new shutters on the third-floor windows. Nothing major, but enough to show that the murder house was alive and back in business.

With three full stories of red and brown brick, the mansion covered almost an entire acre. There were areas in the back where outdoor training took place, along with a large gun range. The majority of training took place within the walls, inside rooms where secrets were kept and a dark entity of evil coated the very air.

Located between two small villages about a hundred miles outside of York, the area surrounding Hill House was desolate and barren. It was the perfect location for evil to live and thrive, to replicate and destroy.

How fitting was it that one of its own would see to its destruction?

She walked up onto the porch, and the front door opened like magic. The man standing before her was a surprise. She hadn’t expected Sebastian Dark to greet her personally. Before she could decide if that was a good or a bad thing, he held out his hand in a friendly, professional gesture. “It’s good to see you, Irelyn. It’s been too long.”

To hear those words from him, the exact ones that Grey had greeted her with last week, was a bit of a jar. This man and Grey Justice had zero in common.

“I had hoped to be back sooner.”

“Father would be pleased to know you’ve come back to us. Please, come in.”

She took an inner bracing breath and walked into the hellhole she’d once called home.



Sitting at his desk, Sebastian examined the woman across from him. She was stunning, even more beautiful than he remembered. He hadn’t seen her in person in years. She had changed significantly, but even back then, the beauty she would become had been apparent. She had definitely lived up to her potential, at least in that area.

He could definitely understand Hill Reed’s obsession and why he had been unable to let her go completely. His fascination had been so great that he had even tried to re-create her in another woman. Sadly, Hill had learned that a replica could not replace the original. Ivy Roane had never lived up to expectations. If she had not gotten herself killed a few months back, Sebastian would have cut her loose or had her eliminated. She had once been a competent killer, but had allowed personal feelings to get in the way of doing her job. She’d become unhinged. Allowing emotions to infiltrate a job was the downfall of any hired killer. And that was why Ivy Roane was dead.

Another example of wrong-headed sentimentality was the woman in front of him. Hill Reed had possessed little softness. He had killed with admirable efficiency, trained with coldhearted focus, and manipulated with razor-sharp accuracy. He had been a master, one in a million. But this one woman had touched something inside Reed, where no one else ever had. Even after she’d gone off on her own, Hill had followed her progress.

Sebastian understood, to some extent, the obsession. With unparalleled beauty, she called to mind fairy-tale princesses. Her black designer dress gave nothing away, but hinted at the sleek, soft loveliness beneath the material. With flawless skin that glowed, ink-black hair so silky-looking it seemed almost unnatural, and eyes the color of a clear gray mist, her allure was understated, stunning in its simplicity.

She seemed remarkably unimpressed with her own appeal. Irelyn Raine knew who she was and what she wanted from life. As much as Sebastian despised her, he could definitely see why Reed had been so fascinated.

He was a little surprised to find himself attracted to her. He had a low libido and often went months without sexual release. Sex was a weakness—a weapon that could be used against you. When he did have the urge, he paid for the experience. Though he’d gladly offer to pay this woman for the use of her lovely body, he knew he’d end up with a bullet in his gut if he made the suggestion.

Hill had died almost two years ago without naming a successor. Sebastian believed he was the natural heir, but not everyone had agreed. The competition had been fierce and brutal, but he had won. During that time of uncertainty, many members had left, and Hill House had suffered greatly. Restoring it to its former glory and strength would take time and skill. Like any good assassin, Sebastian was a patient, methodical man. He had plans in place to make that happen.

It was time to fill the vacancies. And Irelyn Raine had made it more than apparent that she wanted to be one of his new hires.

“You have intrigued me with your escapades the last few months.”

“That was my intent.”

“Why?”

She arched a lovely brow but remained silent. Her self-control and poise impressed him.

“I was a little surprised to receive an acceptance to my invitation,” he said.

“I find that hard to believe as I sent you numerous enticements.”

The first email he had received had been a bit of a shock. The subsequent ones had been both illuminating and entertaining. Irelyn Raine was a skilled and inventive assassin.