Stoned (The Stone Series) by Kitty Berry Page A

on my door. I open it to discover a very attractive brunette and a team of men whom I smile politely at and ask them to come in. The brunette introduces herself as Damian’s personal assistant and hands me a new not yet released version of the iPhone. She tells me it’s a gift from Damian. When I ask her how he got something that won’t be released for months she simply says, “He always gets what he wants when he wants it but then he always wants more.”
     
    “Okay, well, tell him I’ll keep it for now but when I’m done with this project I’m giving it back.”
     
    By this point the men have moved past us and into the apartment. They are picking up my things and putting them into boxes. Some of the men have begun to move the bigger items out of the apartment.
     
    “Um, what are they doing with my things? Where are they taking them?” I ask the brunette whose name I have learned is Veronica. She answers in her overly chipper voice for such an early hour, “They are taking your things to be put into storage at Mr. Stone’s building. He said he’d meet you at the apartment around noon to help you get settled then take you to lunch where you can discuss the details.”
     
    So I guess it’s settled then, I’m moving into the apartment and decorating it for him. I hadn’t completely decided that I would do it. When he drove me back here yesterday I told him I needed to sleep on it and that I would contact him later today but I guess the decision has been made for me. To be honest there was no chance I was going to be able to make myself say no to him, that’s what’s making me so nervous about this set up and about him in general. What else will he ask me to do that I won’t be able to say no to? He’s just so charismatic and alluring.
     
    I explain that I’m on my way out but Veronica says that it’s fine, she’ll coordinate everything then she hands me a pre-paid credit card with more money on it then I would have thought possible and tells me if I need more to contact her. I tuck it into my handbag astonished and rush out the door. I’m going to be late for my class.
     
    I leave my apartment and run down the stairs knowing even if I run all the way I will barely make it to campus on time. That’s when I see the black Escalade at the curb and Mac stepping out, opening the back door for me. “Mr. Stone asked that I drive you to campus then back to the apartment for him Ms. Cooper.”
     
    “Hi Mac, um thanks but how did he know I had class today? Now?” I ask as I climb in but Mac just shrugs his shoulders as he climbs into place and starts driving off.
     
    Thanks to Mac I make it to campus on time and hand in the two projects that are due. Now I only have two exams left later in the week then I’m done. Alex has let me out of my final in lieu of the auction which is the night before graduation.
     
    After handing in my assignments I head back to find Mac right where I left him waiting for me. When he sees me he again climbs out of the SUV and opens the backdoor. I climb in and as we head to my new apartment building, the same one that Damian owns and lives in, I decide to try to get as much information out of Mac as I can.
     
    “So” I ask, “How long have you been working for Damian?”
     
    Mac tells me that he has not been working for Damian very long. He owns a security company with his friend, Jonesie and they provide the security for Damian’s cousin, Tate. When Damian’s prior security detail left Damian asked Mac if he’d be interested. Tate is in the music industry but he recently decided to take a little time off so Mac agreed to help Damian out.
     
    Mac tells me that Damian is a good man. “You should give him a chance. Just know that you’re going to need to cut him some slack sometimes. I think this kind of thing is new to him. You guys will figure it out together though. I shouldn’t be telling you this but he seems to really be into you” he says.
     
    When we