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A Match Made In Hellfire (Part I)
Julian Howard remembered the night, the exact moment, his life changed forever. He would remember it as long as he lived, even if he lived to be over 10,000 years old, as his mother before him is.

The Popular Outcast, one of his many night clubs was doing booming business, enough so that his advisors suggested opening yet another location. Eventually, Julian chose New Orleans as the destination, both because he owned property in neighboring towns and because New Orleans was a Mecca for those who loved the nightlife. He’d picked his four best suits and boarded his plane, going over the speech he would deliver to his investors. Warren Worthington would be the toughest to sell on the idea, but Julian had other reasons for wanting to meet the man in question.

Warren’s daughter threw a wrench into his carefully crafted plans.

Julian was enchanted the moment his eyes met Lyta’s. She looked like an angel sent from heaven to steal his heart. He will never admit to thinking that, but so it was. She wore a white pantsuit that brought out her blue eyes, but Julian also thought she’d look far better in black. After the meeting, he seemed to have the entire group enthralled, all except for Lyta, whose expression seemed…bored. Julian couldn’t fully decipher that expression, which drew his attention to her all the more.

The moment the meeting ended, Julian called upon his manservant, Paulo, to deliver a message to Lyta.

“Tell her that I seek her company tonight for dinner and I’d be happy to go anywhere she chooses.” Julian says.

Paulo left and returned one hour later with Lyta’s response.

“She declined your offer, Master.” Paulo said, fully expecting these to be the last moments of his life.

“She did what?” Julian asked incredulously. His ears must have failed him. Women didn’t decline his advances.

“She said—“

“I heard you, Paulo. Why would she decline?” Julian asks, wracking his brain. “All right, take her a dozen orchids tomorrow and ask again.”

The following day, Paulo returns with the same news. At this point, he decides to switch tactics. Two days later, Julian called Lyta to a meeting, neglecting to mention that the rest of the investors were not invited.

“I see you got my message, Miss Worthington.” Julian says.

Lyta smiles at Julian, the expression somewhere between amused and unkind. “And it looks like you picked up on mine.”

“I beg your pardon?” Julian asks.

“Your money, your fancy suits and your charm school smile don’t impress me, Julian. I get the same treatment from almost every guy I run across in these circles. I don’t work through proxies, either. If you want something from me, don’t send your manservant to ask. It shows a lack of confidence, even if one doesn’t exist.” Lyta says.

Julian nods. “Your points are noted and taken, Miss Worthington.”

“And call me Lyta, please, Julian. I think we’ve been talking long enough to at least use names.” she smiles.

“Very well, Lyta. /Now/, will you have dinner with me?” Julian asks.

“No.” she says. The look on his face was priceless. She wished she could show it to him. She also wished she could read his mind and confirm what she thought he was after, but it wasn’t working.

“All right, then.” Julian says, starting to get up.

“Why are you after my company?” she asks suddenly.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t catch that.” Julian says.

“Don’t play games with me. I know you helped take over Shaw Industries and you’ve had your eye on other big-name companies. You’ve been trying to meet with my dad for months. You’re not getting Worthington. Back off or I’ll make sure every one of your investors backs out and you don’t get your little club here in The Big Easy.” Lyta says.

Julian regards her for a moment. “Come to dinner with me and I’ll tell you what I’m planning. I guarantee it’s not what you think.”

He offers her his hand. She knows this is a trap of some kind, but she still can’t see it and she can’t read his mind without forcing her way in.

“Fine.” she says, taking the offered hand and staring daggers at Julian Howard.

She hoped she wasn’t going to be sorry for going along with this.