Free The Demon King and I by Candace Havens Page A

peace.”
    She reached the door and turned back. “And, Gillian, I’m sorry about your friend Markie. Jake told me what happened. I’ve given Jake some of my theories. I think someone may be trying to distract you in a horrific way. They want to catch you off guard and drive you away from your purpose. It’s possible we are on the precipice of war. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
    I did. Be focused and concentrate on what is most important. One of the many lessons she’d drummed into our heads. If the treaties were dissolved it wouldn’t cause problems just for Earth; other worlds could also be destroyed. It was the Guardian Keys’ duty to make sure that didn’t happen.
     
 
Even if the end of the world might be on the way, I still had work to do. Our main offices were downtown, and if I had to be gone for a few days it was always good to go in even for a short time to show my face.
    I signed papers and did about four weeks’ worth of work in three hours. I’m lucky that my assistant, Georgia, is incredibly good at her job and mine. She makes it easy on me. Thanks to her I was able to catch up and get ahead. She was one of the few people at Caruthers Corp. who knew about both sides of my life.
    I also had a press conference scheduled with Roland Falk, the owner of one of the largest art supply companies in the world. He was one of the major contributors to our Arts in Schools program, and he would be one of several people honored at the big arts ball. Even though I didn’t really have time, the conference would work to my benefit.
    The press would see me in my capacity as CEO and fund-raiser, and the appearance would make it look like I was at the office working hard. It also pleased Roland, which meant big bucks for our program, something dear to my heart.
    Caruthers Corp. had several floors and we kept a large conference room on the first floor for events like this. Our publicity coordinator, Sharron, introduced me, and then I talked about Roland and his many contributions to the cause. He gave about a five-minute speech, and then we took questions.
    A handsome man, Roland didn’t look anywhere near his sixty years of age. He’d been friends with my parents for as long as I could remember. When my father died, he was there for all of us. I thought maybe at some point he and my mom might date, but they never had anything but a casual dinner together once a month or so at the club.
    All went according to plan with the press until Franklin Conrad from WJLP radio asked, “Ms. Caruthers, would you like to comment on your involvement with the recent murder of Markie Stewart? Is it true she had an affair with your boyfriend, Emilio? A source of mine says she bought several of his paintings in the last few weeks.”
    A solid left punch to the chin would have hurt less. Tears burned the corners of my eyes. I put on the biggest fake smile I had and killed the reporter with kindness. “We are here to talk about Arts in Schools, a cause that my lovely friend Markie Stewart was actively involved in. She was a wonderful and talented businesswoman, and one of my dearest friends. Her love of art was evident by the huge collection she amassed over the years. Many of the pieces I advised her on were purchased through my galleries. As we mentioned in the release, she is one of the people, along with Roland, whom we will honor at the ball.”
    Sharron, bless her, leaned into the microphone. “That’s all we have time for today. We have copies of the release on the table by the door.”
    I’d always been envious of Sharron’s toasted almond skin, but I also admired her ability to do her job. She never let me down, especially in tough situations like this.
    She turned off the mike and squeezed my hand. “He’s an ass,” she whispered. “I’ll take care of it.”
    “Thanks.” I squeezed back.
    Roland put a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s get you back to your office. William?” He pointed to his bodyguard, a