The Falcon Ridge Series Book 4: Art of a Girl
Chapter 2

(Chapter song ‘Mr. Vain’ by Culture Beat)

BASTIAN

My tires squeal as I pull my blue Lamborghini into my driveway. I lift the door and check the condition of my eyebrows in the rear view mirror before grabbing my suit bag and hopping out of the car. I sling the bag over my shoulder and strut to my mansion. Hitting the key fob for my car as I go.

With a hop in my step, I climb the 10 stairs to the front door of my white 60 room mansion. My pride and joy, right here. My family built it from the ground up. As the money rolled in, the house got bigger and I’m adding my part. But I’ll tell you about that later.

Right now, I just got done picking up a freshly tailored suit for my hunt tonight. After hearing that my addition will be done early, I want to celebrate by gracing a hot she wolf with my presence for the night. She’ll be one lucky lady because I’m smoking at everything today.

My life couldn’t be moving any more perfectly. My house is perfect. My pack? Adores me. My coffers are handsomely stuffed and, to top it all off, I’m lined up for the ultimate career change. Especially, after Alexi Torrent sent all the Dragons we have up the river. If she wasn’t attached to Torrent, or the biker hood rat, I’d snake her for my own personal recreation. I’m sure if fate didn’t step in, she’d much rather have me than Jackson. Really, who wouldn’t? I’m more than a catch.

Anyway, back to me and my career.

I'm the head of the Falcon Ridge Prison Unit. It’s an OK job, but I can do much better. Like the Head Alpha of the whole Security Unit. Yep, the job is mine once my addition is done.

The deal is Alpha Fredericks-current Head Alpha-is retiring after the next blue moon. Until then, a select group of candidates will be competing for the position. I’m going to add icing to the cake. With that…

On the west side of my house is a 15000 square foot grand ballroom. It’s absolutely beautiful. Like me.*sparkle smile*

With a moon chandelier, a circle skylight around it and money dripping off of everything, I’m going to impress the shit out of Fredericks. He'll have to give me the job.

As part of the Alliance agreement-and to keep the Dragons guessing-we rotate the Blue Moon Balls through all the territories. This year, it’s Black Rock’s turn.

Black Rock is my pack. My absolutely perfect pack. We tip the scales in every metric. Even some unofficial ones. We're 4000 and growing. The largest individual pack in the Alliance. I’m up to my neck in applications to join and who can blame them. It’s a great pack.

The Blue Moon balls are held in the Black Rock Amphitheater. It still will be, but I won’t be there. Nope. I’m hosting my own private ball in my fabulous ballroom and talking Fredericks up. I’ll show him a good night, along with all the other Falcon Ridge dignitaries, and he'll show me the keys to his office.

That’s the plan anyway.

“Nigel!”

I bark as I enter the front door and my Beta meets me in the hall.

Nigel Justice. Cool looking guy with slicked back, black hair and pretty muscular, too. He has a hard look to him with sharp features, goatee and always walks around in a leather vest in t-shirts. I allow it because he’s a good friend and an even better Beta. I need guys like him if I’m going to make sure I get what I want.

“Hey. I was about to…”

“What took you so long?” I stop at a mirror and side eye his reflection.

“Bastian, cool the attitude. I have your agenda for the day.” He chuckles.

I turn to face him as I straighten my tie. “You could do with some time management lessons. I shouldn’t have to call you.” I glance at the mirror, stuff my hand in my pocket and turn back to him.

“Why are you like this?” He looks up at me and shakes his head.

“Just read the damn schedule.” I sigh.

“Ok. You have a meet and greet with the new incoming council members and a lunch date…”

I raise a hand, turn to the mirror then fix my hair. “No. Cancel it.”

His reflection turns to me and raises a brow. “The lunch date?”

I connect with his dark brown eyes. “Who's it with?”

“Caroline.” He shrugs.

“Ugh… Cancel that, too.” I cringe.

“Wait… What about the council?” He furrows his brow.

I turn and raise my chin. “Nigel. My time is precious. I can’t just give it to anyone who wants it. And this…” I point to my suit bag. “Is Italian silk. Do you honestly believe that I want to subject my 5000 dollar suit to the same air Luke Jackson is in?”

His face falls. “No.” He mumbles.

“Right.” I turn back to the mirror and flash a smile. “I look too good to hang out with the local hoodlum.” I turn and head for the staircase in the center of my foyer. “I’m going out tonight. The ladies want Bastian Cole.” I climb three steps and look back. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint them.” I wink and smile as he crosses his arm. I jog up the rest of the stairs laughing and loving the most perfect life on the planet.

****

I open an eyelid, carefully and blink when the sun stings my eye. I celebrated good last night. The slight pounding in my head is an indication of that. Even still, it’s a damn good morning.

I reach up to the shelf above my head and grab my phone. I squint at the time and scrub a hand down my face. 8 am. I take a cleansing, satisfied breath, put my phone back and pull out my long, blonde hair that’s trapped between my head and the pillow. I’m a little stiff, but that’s not surprising considering what I got up to last night.

I stretch an arm, and the blonde I picked up from the bar I ended up at, cuddles into it. I give her a kiss on the forehead as I wrap my arm around her and she starts to fall back asleep.

I smirk and turn my head to the other side of my bed.

I stretch my other arm out and smile as her twin sister that came with her, stirs, then cuddles into my other side. I drop a kiss on her head and eye them both. Damn, I'm good.

I close my eyes for a second, just loving the feel of the two naked, identical hotties on me and contemplated. Should I get up or play another round of Bastian in the middle?

Nope. I have to get up. Today, I have important things to do.

I slip out from the sexy sandwich and head for the shower. I have a strict shower regimen that takes time and I can’t be late.

I get dressed in my silk shirt and Italian suit pants. Pulling my shoulder length hair into a man bun and dab on some cologne on my freshly shaven square jaw. I smile a charming smile in the mirror that makes my hazel eyes sparkle a bit. Yes, I'm that good looking. I inspect my skin and need to remind Nigel that I need to book a tanning session after this. I’m looking a little pale.

As I straighten my tie, buckle my belt and slip my gold Rolex on my wrist, I spy the girls getting dressed in the mirror in my dressing closet. I come out and grab my suit jacket.

"We had fun last night." They say almost in unison. They smile sweetly, but I’m no longer interested. The novelty has worn off.

"Uh, yeah. You had me. Of course, you did." I raise a little snark with my chin and leave my room without giving them a second look.

"Nigel!" I yell, bouncing down the stairs.

I need my coffee if I’m going to start this day right.

"Nigel! Where the hell are you?" I call through the foyer and walk to the common room.

“You're up." He smiles as he saunters out of the office hallway at the back of the common room.

"Where's my coffee?" I hold my arms out to the sides.

He thumbs over his shoulder. "Dining hall?"

I smile and grab his shirt at the neck. "Are you new here? Go get it!" I push him and head back out to the foyer.

"Alright. Someone's in a mood." Nigel rolls his eyes.

While I wait for my coffee, I pull out my phone and dial. I put my hand in my pocket and rock on my heels as I wait for someone to pick up.

Finally, someone does. "Put Luke on the phone...I don't give a shit if he's busy, put him on the damn phone." I demand of his Gamma.

I hear rustling, then he finally gets on the phone. It’s cute that he thinks he can ignore me.

"Luke. How's our newest hoodlum council member?... Your threats are hilarious... So, I'm calling to make sure you bring that outline for the Enforcers to the meeting today. I need to present it to Fredericks and have Blake second it... Ok... Good... See you there." I hang up, and shove my phone in my pocket.

"Dick." I mutter as Nigel brings my coffee. "Took you long enough." I scowl and take the cup from him.

He furrows his brow and crosses his arms. "Why are you all stressed today?"

I spin and head to a hall off the common room entrance.

I stop at the entrance, stand tall and strut down the hallway with construction scaffolding along the walls and construction materials on the floor. I walk through the large open double doors into the room that will change everything.

The unfinished walls lead up to a molded 15-foot ceiling. When this ballroom is done, it'll be the crown jewel of the Alliance.

I take a sip from my cup as I scan the unfinished walls. "I need this to go good, Nigel. I can’t afford mistakes.”

"It'll happen, Bastian. Just relax." Nigel side eyes me as he puts his hands in his pockets.

I turn to him and hand him the cup. “Just get me the decorator.”

Nigel nods. “I am. I've got one lined up, but her schedule is pretty tight.”

“I don’t care.” I lean to him. “Get her in here, yesterday.” I arch a brow leave him in the ballroom.

If this is to go without a hitch, I can’t be sidelined by schedules. She either wants the work or I’ll replace someone who will answer to my needs when I need them.

End of story.

Just before I exit the hall, I turn and snap my fingers. "Oh, Nigel. Grab the car and take..." I squint my eyes and snap fingers again to try to remember names.

"Melissa and Rachael?" He ticks his head.

"Yes." I point to him. "Take them to Feral and drop them off."

His brows pinch. "Shouldn't I take them home?"

I wave him off as I turn "Don't waste the gas. Just get back here. I have a council meeting to get to."

"Alright."

This is going to be the best Blue Moon ball ever.