A/N: I am not as happy with this chapter as I was with the last one…. I like the first part but I do believe my muse just up and left me for the last part. Hopefully you all like it and will leave me wonderful reviews!!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Josef, Mick or anyone else that you may recognize. Riley and all of the others that come out of my head are of course mine. No copy write infringement is intended

Chapter 4

-Josef's POV-

The past few hours had not gone as planned. What the hell was I going to do about Riley? That damned girl, walking in on me feeding. I should have known better though, than to bring a freshie into the office. I only did it on rare occasions when I couldn't get out of the office and back to my home. There just hadn't been enough time. I had made the decision to cell Alexei and have her come to the office. If only I had brought her in through the main entrance, I could have avoided all of this.

I scared the girl half to death. I could hear her heart beat shoot sky high and I saw the terror in her eyes. I still can't explain why it had taken me so long to respond to her being there. I should have stopped her from running. I got lucky, although I will never admit it. If it hadn't been Mick in that elevator right then I don't even want to think about what would have happened. That opens up a whole other set of issues. The look of astonishment on Mick's face. I rarely screwed up in front of anyone. I had to get this situation under control and soon.

Riley was currently over at Mick's apartment. I had called almost 45 minutes ago and according to Mick she was still out cold. This situation was worse than I had hoped. It would have been one thing if she had reacted to this in a slightly less dramatic fashion. But based on her reaction, it was going to take a while to explain to her what was happening. She was a smart girl, she would get it eventually, but our bigger concern was whether or not she would keep her mouth shut. For that main reason, I had to keep an eye on her. I had to make sure that she felt safe enough to continue to work for me so that I could keep her under supervision and protection.

Almost 95 of my employees were completely clueless to the other world that surrounded them. Bringing my employees into this world tended to put them into harms way and I preferred leaving my business out of that danger. With Riley being in a position this close to me, I should have realize that eventually I would have to either fire her or give her all of the information she was receiving. Most of the time I just fired my assistants, providing them with more than enough money to keep them quiet and happy until they could find another job.

I sat thinking for most of the morning. For once, time passed slowly. Everything seemed to be hanging in a delicate balance. I shouldn't have promoted Riley. I should have left her one step away. If it hadn't been for the promotion, she never would have made it back to my office. Things would have worked out differently. I might… what was I saying. I have no way of knowing that things wouldn't have happened just the same, only with another girl.

None of that was important at this point though. Riley was being let into our world, all because I had been careless. I had to go to Mick's apartment. I had to see how things were going, how she was taking everything. However, the sun had been up for hours already. What I really needed was sleep. I would have to go home and wait to talk with both Mick and Riley until later on in the day.

-Later That Night-

I opened the lid to my freezer and sat up. The days rest had proved good for me. I woke calm and ready to talk to Mick and Riley. It was almost 8 o'clock. The sun was about to set. I walked downstairs and found someone to snack from. After eating I went back upstairs, showered and went back to my room. I pulled out one of my better suits and got dressed.

It was now or never. I walked out to the garage and climbed into my car. Driving over to Mick's seemed to take no time at all. I sat outside for a few minutes trying to prepare myself. I was being ridiculous and I was well aware of it. I got out of the car and let myself into Mick's building. I rode the elevator up to the top floor and got out. Mick was inside, but it seemed like he was still asleep. I could also sense two humans, one asleep and one awake. I walked over and knocked on the door. I was slightly relieved when I saw that it was Beth who was opening the door. She smiled at me and invited me in.

"Josef, Mick and I were expecting you. Sit down and I will go see if Mick is awake yet. Help yourself to a drink." With that she smiled and walked up the stairs. I walked over to the kitchen and pulled out one of Mick's blood bags. I poured some into a drink and sat back down in the living room just as Beth and Mick came back down stairs. Mick looked over at me and laughed slightly. He walked into the kitchen and came back out a few seconds later with a drink for both himself and Beth. The two sat down across from me in the couch.

"So, how did she take the news? Is this going to turn into some huge drama or might we actually be able to get back to work?" I was anxious and slightly irritated at myself by this point. I needed to know the extent of the damage. Mick looked over at me and smiled.

"Relax, Josef. She was rather anxious at first. However, she let me get everything out and was able to keep herself under control for most of it. She is pretty shaken up at this point. But I think it is going to work out. You need to listen to me though, Josef. Riley is going to need some time. She has to be able to process everything and that could take a while. She has to feel comfortable with you again. If she isn't comfortable she isn't going to want to go back to work. What I am telling you is that when you see her again, tread very carefully, be gentle with her and keep your temper in check. You think you can handle that?" I almost laughed. Mick seemed to have so little faith in me at this point.

"I got it, Mick. I have been in similar situations before this and I know how to deal with this. I don't know how much time we have, though. There was a big deal that we were supposed to close next week in Paris. I need her ready to travel by that point." I actually did laugh that time. The look on Mick's face was priceless. I swear it was as if he didn't know me at all. "I think it's your turn to relax, Mick. She won't be traveling with me any time soon. You really think I am that much of a bastard?" Mick froze suddenly.

"Josef, she's awake. I am going to go and get her and then Beth and I will leave you two to talk. We will be upstairs if you need us.

-Riley's POV-

I woke up and looked at the clock. 9:30. Had it really only been just 24 hours since this nightmare of a day had started? I sat up and thought back to everything that I had been through. Talking with Mick and Beth had been interesting, to say the very least. I walked over to where a suitcase of my things had been set. I pulled out a sweatshirt and pulled it over my head. It was at that moment that there was a knock at my door.

"Morning. We thought you might be hungry. Get some food in your stomach. Once you're done, Josef is here. The two of you should probably talk." I watched Beth throughout all of this. She really expected me to be able to talk with Josef now? I closed my eyes for a moment to collect my thoughts.

"Beth, are you sure? I don't know if I should talk to him quite yet. I am still trying to take all of this is. I still don't know how to react to all of this. Is there any way that we can put this off?" She smiled and looked slightly concerned.

"Riley, I know that this is a lot of information. But I can promise you that the longer you put off talking to him, the harder it will be. You are completely safe. Mick and I will be just upstairs and will most likely be able to hear everything that happens. You already know that I trust Mick with my life. Well, Josef is the only other person I would turn to if I was in trouble. If he wanted to hurt you, he would have already done it. If he really had wanted to hurt you, you wouldn't have made it out of his office this morning." I wasn't totally sure whether or not what she had just said comforted me or not. "Eat your breakfast and then go talk to him. I am going upstairs with Mick. We'll both come down when you two have had a chance to listen to each other."

With that Beth stood up and walked out of the room. I went over and started to pick at the bagel that she brought me. I knew that I had to do this. I ate in silence thinking about what I would soon have to do. No matter how much I tried to fight it, I knew that I was going to have to face him.

I had been assured over and over again that he didn't pose a threat to me, but I couldn't quite accept that. I knew I was being hypocritical. I already trusted Mick not to hurt me. I had no problems believing what he told me and accepting Mick for what he was. But Mr. Konstantin, Josef, was just so different. I couldn't explain it. Especially after thinking back to all of the time I had spent working with him. He had never harmed me in any way. I had never felt like I was in danger from him before. But now, after I had seen what I had, I didn't know what to think.

Before I was ready, I had finished my bagel. I took a few more sips of water and then walked to the door. I stood with my hand on the door knob for what seemed like forever. With a deep breath, I finally opened the door and walked out into the hall. I walked down to the living room and stopped when I saw him standing on the other side of the room, looking out the window. He shocked me when he spun around to face me. Our eyes locked and I again felt the fear and anxiety from his office. He must have realized what had happened because he let my eyes go and moved to sit down in one of the chairs.

I walked over and tentatively sat down across from him in the couch. Neither of us knew what to say, so we sat in silence for a few minutes. Mr. Konstantin's eyes never left my face; I kept my eyes focused on the floor.

"Riley, I know that a lot happened yesterday. I know that you are probably a little overwhelmed and that you are probably more than a little scared and confused. I can here your heart beat. I have been able to since you walked into the room. I heard it jump when you looked at me. The fact that you are afraid to be in the same room with me, for that I am sorry. I am sorry that you had to be brought into this world at all. Almost none of my employees know that we exist. I would have rather left you in the dark than have to feel the fear coming from you." I smiled slightly to myself. He was just as awkward in this situation as I was. Further more, I knew that Josef Konstantin rarely apologized. "I just have one question to ask you. Are you so afraid of me that you won't work for me any more? I need to know how all of this information is going to affect both you and my company."

I truly smiled for the first time since I woke this morning. Of course, he was always worried about the bottom line. The truth was however, that I didn't know what I planned to do. I had to be honest with him.

"Mr. Konstantin, I…"

"Please, considering all of the circumstances, call me Josef."

"Ok. Josef. I don't know where I stand right now. As much as I would like to deny it, being around you does frighten me. But, if I have your word that I will never be in danger from you, then I can try to make it work. It may take me a while to be as comfortable at work as I was, but I am willing to try." As I spoke, I watched as a slow grin appeared on Josef's face. I wasn't sure whether or not that was a good sign.

"Of course. Riley, you have my word that for as long as you work for me and put yourself in my presence, you will be under my protection. No harm will come to you from me or from any one else, especially within my world." I could hear the sincerity in his voice. I had to believe that he really meant me no harm. I guess that answered all questions.

I then heard footsteps on the stairs. I turned around to see Mick and Beth walking towards us. Mick left to get all of us a drink. Beth came and sat down next to me and Mick walked back in and sat down in the chair next to Josef. Josef and Mick talked about a case that Mick was working while Beth and I chatted about what had been in the news recently. I finished my drink and was ready to leave. I excused myself and started to walk back towards my bedroom.

"Riley, take the next few days off. Make sure that you are really ready to come back before you walk back into the office. We can make do without you until you are ready."

"Thank you, Josef. But I will see you tomorrow. I don't want time off right now." I knew that I had to get back before I talked myself out of it. I then looked over to Mick. "Thank you for letting me stay here. I am going to shower and then I should get back to my apartment. I really appreciate all that you have done for me." With that I turned and walked back to the spare bedroom. I turned on the water in the shower and stepped in. I really needed a chance to think about everything that had happened.