Grey had been honest with Morana. For the most part. There were several reasons he wanted to keep her by his side. Finding someone with a similar mindset to his own was difficult. He craved control and power to a sadistic degree, but there were others who were in the same vein. What he saw in Morana, that monstrous side, was also not unknown to him. It was a reason to keep her, but not his only. The fact that this monster was wrapped in a gorgeous and lithe body, had eyes that glowed like jewels, and looked rather adorable with a single fang poking over her lip were another reason. If he wanted a companion through the wildness of the criminal world, it might as well be a lovely one. It left... opportunity.
Her acceptance of his terms was reasonable, smart. Had she said no even after having it framed so well, he had no need for her. Chaos and danger were exciting. Stupidity was not. The smile on Grey's face spread slowly, showing his own long fangs, more thin and serpentine than her own. It felt a little strange, smiling, but his excitement at finally having his prize was palpable. He was barely even aware of their position when she leaned up and licked his cheek, sparking a bit of confusion as she purred about his taste. Still, he lifted himself from between her legs and even gently guided them down to the seat. He moved a hand to his neck, remembering exactly how relaxing it had been.
"It was... interesting to be fed on. If I taste enjoyable, that means we have an option for you to eat while we settle things."
It did irritate him that she refused to call him Grey. No one called him by his first name except for his father. It felt like she was trying to take something from him, made him want to tighten his tail until she gasped out the correct name. That would have to be fixed. For now, he finally released his tail instead. Even as it uncoiled from around her neck and body, it shrank away, disappearing in the same way it had come. His hand reached over to the door of the car, pulling the handle and pushing it open without bothering to check the window, even as dark as it was.
Outside of the car was a simple underground lot, almost completely barren at this hour. A few identical cars were spaced around them, along with a spattering of other vehicles around. The same man that had received the orders when they entered the car came back to the door, holding it and awaiting the pair. Grey took his jacket and threw it over his shoulder again, stepping out with one long stride. He waited, hand extended to help his guest from the car. Glancing behind her as she exited, he let out an internal sigh at the wet blood and torn leather, though it was partially his fault.
Guiding her across the lot with only dim fluorescent light illuminating the way and the man trailing behind, Grey began to talk.
"As much as I am sure you hate to hear this, there are some rules. First and foremost, you answer to no one except for me. I do not care if the gods themselves come down to order you around. You have my permission to spit in their face. The only exception to this is the men I will assign to take care of your needs. They may ask you to wait if they want my permission before following your requests."
He pulled the phone from his pocket, unlocking it with a press of his thumb and scrolling for a moment. Then, as they approached the elevator at the corner of the lot, he held up his phone to the camera, which beeped excitedly and opened the metal sliding door. Stepping in, he repeated the process to another camera inside. Grey then pressed the button for the fourteen floor and looked down at his phone. He continued to speak even as he began to tap out messages.
"Everyone who sets foot in this building works for me or is here on business. Floors two to seven are apartments and likely no interest. Eight to ten are for work. Eleven and twelve are where I work, along with my close associates. Thirteen is skipped. Some silly human thing. Fourteen is your new apartment. Not everything is suited for your needs, as I was not expecting to extend this invitation quiet yet."
Another set of taps on his phone. Scrolling. More tapping.
"But, the glass is treated and the storm shutters can block the light. Now... the rules. They are few, but very important. One, you will be staying on the fourteen floor for a few days. Security is strict and you won't have access to the system. Once it is sorted, I'm true to my word. You can come and go as you please. But, if you disappear without notice for too long, my offer ends. You are out. That simple. Lets say... three days."
The floors dinged by as he spoke, approaching fourteen rapidly.
"You will not kill in the building. You will not lose your temper with my men when they are acting on my orders. If you think it will upset me, at the very least ask before you do it."
The elevator came to a stop, the doors sliding open. On the other side was a hallway with plush carpet, a creamy orange and light wallpaper, almost like a hotel. There was only a single doorway across from the elevator, the rest of the hall bare until reaching the end some ways down. Another door, this one open, led to a room where only a large desk was visible, the rest hidden in the dark.
"This is your apartment. In the kitchen, there is a phone, a credit card, key card, and a few things for entertainment. James, here, will be taking first shift as your personal errand boy. I didn't think you would want a guard outside the door, so whoever is on duty is at the end of the hall manning the desk. Ask them for anything you want. Anything. You can buy anything you like online, send them to pick it up when it gets here. Just call or text the "On Duty" number in the phone. The other two numbers are Croc, my personal assistant, and me. Now, I will be going to sleep while you settle in. Any questions before I leave you to settle in?"