Chapter 3
Madi
I try to shove Brick away.
He catches my elbows. “Just for now, Madi. Until the dust settles from this uprising. I can’t have my pack seeing me as weak.”
My stomach rumbles. I never ate breakfast–I was too upset with Brick. Of course, he hears it. I now know he has superhuman hearing.
“You’re hungry. Let me take you to lunch.” Brick reaches for his phone in the suit pants on the floor. “I’ll call John to pick us up.”
“I don’t want a helicopter ride to a fancy restaurant from you,” I say tightly.
Brick lowers the phone and catches my gaze. “What do you need, Madi?”
Tears prick my eyes. “I need to go home. My life isn’t here, locked in your penthouse. I have a family and friends. Humans.” My lips twist in despair when I say the word humans. The realization of exactly how different my world is from Brick’s is still setting in.
I’d have thought we were worlds apart before because of our class status, income and age difference. Now I know it goes far deeper than that. And I fear it could be a divide we can’t bridge.
“Ah. You need your things. I sent over the stylist with clothes hoping that would be enough.”
“I don’t just want my things. I want my life!”
I watch as Brick’s expression grows resolved. “All right. Let’s go get your life.”
I blink at him. “What does that mean?”
“It means I’m going with you. I need to know you’re safe, Madison. But I will also do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
“Okay.” I hop off the bathroom counter. This time he lets me. “Let’s go to Brooklyn.”
Some of the constriction around my ribs that’s been present since this morning dissolves.
I put on a different fabulous outfit Elise left for me–buttery-soft wide-legged jeans with a knit crop top in sapphire that wraps around the waist. I put on a pair of Steve Madden sparkly sneakers to complete the casual look. Yes, I am purposely dressing like a Gen Z college student and not the smart-dressed former assistant who worked for Brick until she was wrongfully fired.
Maybe I want to illustrate just how different we are. Maybe I’m just trying to remember who I was before I went to work on Wall Street–not that I could afford sparkly Steve Madden sneakers then.
Brick doesn’t seem to mind the change. He makes a rumbling sound of approval, his gaze tracing around the little bit of skin showing where the sweater wraps at my waist. His eyes take on that amber glow as he stalks toward me, half-dressed. He picks me up by the waist and lifts me until my bare belly is in line with his mouth. He flicks his tongue over my skin.
I wriggle, turned on.
He opens his mouth wide and sucks a large section of my flesh into his mouth, slowly releasing it until the gesture becomes a lingering kiss.
My stomach rumbles again.
“Let’s get you a snack, and then we can stay in.” He looks over his shoulder at his bed, which is still piled high with my new clothes. I kick my feet, and he immediately puts me down. “You want to go to Brooklyn. Sorry.”
“Be careful. Your apologies are becoming almost frequent. What will your employees think if they find out?”
Brick turns away, stuffing his arms into a fresh button-down shirt. “I had to prove myself worthy of leading a pack and running a start-up venture when I was younger than you,” he says.
I go still, absorbing for the first time how bad-ass my boss really is. And how much he’s been through. “That’s right. No wonder you took on the role of boss-hole.”
He turns and hits me with a very boss-like raise of his brow. “Boss-hole, hmm?”
I take over buttoning his shirt. “Does that offend you, sir?”
He grabs the back of my head and delivers a ferocious kiss. His tongue lashes mine, his lips twist with bruising intensity. “It does,” he murmurs, forehead pressed against mine. “I think it deserves a reprimand.”
My panties soak.
“After Brooklyn.”
He squeezes my ass roughly. “All right, Ms. Evans.” He delivers another incredible kiss. “But then I’ll need you to report to my bedroom for your spanking.”
My pelvic floor lifts and squeezes, and flutters of excitement flap in my belly. “Yes, sir.”
He pulls on a wool coat and holds mine out for me. These are the little boyfriend-like gestures I’m not used to.
I know Brick as my Big Bad Boss. I know him as a lover. I have no idea what it means to be his girlfriend. Or his mate.
He leads me out of the penthouse, murmuring “dismissed” to his bodyguards at the door.
“Yes, Alpha,” they say in unison.
We take the elevator down, and it opens to his private garage. He tries to lead me out, but I stall in the elevator. “We’re not driving one of your Lamborghinis to my ‘hood,” I tell him.
“Which car do you want to drive?”
“We’re taking the subway.”
Brick’s face goes bosslike again with disapproval. “No way. I’m trying to keep you safe.”
“I have the alpha of the most powerful pack in New York with me. Plus we’ll be surrounded by humans. It’s not like anyone can go wolfy on us in a crowded subway.”
Brick purses his lips, but he stabs the down arrow on the elevator, so I know I’ve won.
Score another one for the assistant.
Or human.
We walk to the subway station, and Brick pays our fares.
“Isn’t this fun?” I ask when we’re on the crowded train. There’s no room to sit, so I grab an overhead bar and Brick stands protectively behind me, blocking my body from the shuffle of passengers.
The train takes off, and Brick’s lids lower as if it turns him on to see me on a subway. I am now beginning to believe that everything I do turns him on.
It’s quite a power I have over him.
If only I’d understood what was actually going on back when I worked for him. I don’t know what I would’ve done differently, though. We still had major barricades to being together, I just didn’t understand what his were.
Mine are still the same. I misunderstood the energy, but my feeling of being inadequate was right. My sense that I didn’t come from the right strata or circles to fit in with Brick and his society was right. Brick literally has to hide me from his pack now.
But it’s still all worth it. For moments like this. Having Brick Blackthroat, my billionaire boss–my boyfriend, my lover, my mate…whatever that means–standing on a subway car with me, looking at me with the moon in his eyes. Having him willing to come to my neighborhood.
Of course, the last time he came home with me, I freaked out and broke things off with him instead of letting in the wonder of it.
Believing that a man like him could love a woman like me.
But maybe it’s not love at all. Maybe it’s just this wolf-mating biology thing.
“What’s going on in that brilliant brain of yours?” Brick taps the top of my head.
“I’m wondering if it’s all just physical for you. Like a biology thing.”
A man nearby looks over at me with interest. Brick’s nostrils flare with annoyance, and he sends the guy a death glare until he looks away.
“It’s not.” It’s a very Brick-like answer. Concise. To the point.
I look up, needing more. “Don’t say I’m the best assistant you’ve ever had.”
He frowns. “Well, you are. I don’t love you because you’re the best assistant, but it’s the qualities that make you the best assistant that made me fall in love with you.”
I stare at him in shock. “You love me?”
He attempts to brush his knuckles down my cheek, but the train lurches, and he falls against me instead. He catches me up with an arm behind my back to steady me. “I love your brilliant mind. The way you love to apply yourself to a problem and that satisfied confidence you have when you solve it. I adore your intense loyalty–I saw that the first day you came to work for me when you had Indira’s back. I saw you’re a team player. I like that you’re fearless and sassy. You look me in the eye. You don’t cower. You never shrink from a challenge. You’re one in a hundred million, Madi. Even if your scent hadn’t driven me wild, it’s hard to imagine I wouldn’t have fallen for you.”
The breath has completely left my chest. Tears spear my eyes.
“What about you? Am I more than a boss fetish?”
I let out a watery laugh. Our bodies collide again as the train slows down. I don’t know why I’m afraid to tell him the inconvenient truth–that he’s already everything to me. That he probably has been since the moment he let me see past his walls over Thanksgiving. That I’m still terrified of telling him because I already feel so weak in this relationship. So at a disadvantage. If I give up this last piece of resistance, there won’t be any way to come back. I won’t recover from losing my heart and my pride to Brick Blackthroat.
I duck under his arm. “This is our stop.”
* * *
Brick
I follow Madi, frowning at the way she dodged my question.
AmI nothing more than a boss fetish? If that’s true, I need to figure out what it is my mate requires to make our relationship real and meaningful.
That’s when I fully understand why we’re in Brooklyn. Madi needs me to integrate into her life. I’ve asked her to do all the integrating to mine. I wrenched her from her human life. I mistakenly thought she would love the upgrade to my Billionaire Row house, and designer clothes would take away the sting of locking her up in the penthouse.
But it’s unfair to ask her to be the one who makes all the accommodations. This puzzle of Madi isn’t something I can solve with money. She requires me to meet her halfway.
We step out into the cold, and Madi walks briskly down the sidewalk. A few blocks down, she throws open the door to a tiny Italian restaurant wedged between two row houses. The sign reads Sordello’s.
“This is my favorite restaurant.”
We step in, and smells of garlic and marinara greet us. Tables are packed side-by-side, so close a stranger’s elbow might hit you while they eat.
A middle-aged woman behind the welcome station waves to Madi. “Did you have a pick-up order, Madi?” She searches beneath the counter. “I didn’t see it come through.”
“Eating in today,” Madi says.
“Oh, nice. Sit anywhere.” She gives me a speculative look. New York City is a melting pot, but I suppose I don’t look like I belong there. I’m overdressed. Or maybe she recognizes me.
I let Madi lead me to a tiny two-person table against the window.
“You’re a regular here, then?” I’m itchy all over at the sudden realization that I don’t know nearly enough about my mate.
“Yes. They have the best eggplant lasagna. The eggplant is in place of pasta, so it’s gluten free.”
“Are you gluten free, Madi?” My wolf suddenly comes to attention, ready to defend Madi against any possible poisoning.
“No, I just like it.”
I relax. “I’ll try it, too, then.” I’m usually more of a steak guy, but I need to consume all that is Madi.
We order, and Madi gives me one of those openly assessing looks I’ve come to love. Her brain is engaged in solving a problem. “So how did this challenging-for-alpha thing work?” she speaks in a low voice, not that I’m worried. Everyone in here is human. I can tell by their scents. “Is it just like wolves in the wild?”
I nod. “Pretty much. The top families of the pack called a Town Hall meeting, so everyone could see me in person and realize that I’m not moon mad. I denied that I ever had been without actually lying. Wolves can smell lies.”
“Wow.” Madi digests that pretty easily. “And then someone challenged you?”
“Yes.”
“So what would happen if they did think you were moon mad?”
I hold her gaze to impart the significance. “The Blackthroat pack would probably be destroyed.”
“Why?” she sounds angry. Like she’s willing to fight for my pack.
“The Adalwulfs are in a constant ambush on us. They are always trying to poach our members. I nearly lost the whole pack when they murdered my father.”
“But you kept it together.”
I nod. “I fought every challenger. I visited every pack member’s home. I promised them the Blackthroats would rise again.”
“And you did.”
“Yes. I thought I’d won everyone’s loyalty, but the Adalwulfs sometimes succeed in turning my members, as they did with Jerry.”
She nods. “The janitor.”
“Yes. I only allowed a wolf to clean my floor because I believed I could trust my own pack members with company secrets since they are all shareholders. I was wrong.”
“Hold up. The pack members are shareholders?”
“Yes.”
Our food arrives, and I wait for her to take a bite, then I taste the lasagna. “Mmm. This is good.”
She looks pleased.
I kick myself for not previously attempting to meet her on her turf.
“Every single pack member is a shareholder?” she asks with disbelief.
“Yes.”
“That’s very… socialist. I was thinking it was more like a royalty situation. They tithe to you or something for being their leader.”
“Loyalty goes both ways. Some packs still work like royalty. Nickel’s home pack in England certainly does.”
“Wait… is Nickel’s home pack–are the British royals wolves?”
I hide a smile. “Not the King of England. But some of the dukes and earls are. Shifter bloodlines in Europe go back to medieval times. You remember Beowulf from your college English class?”
Madi gasps, and her eyes dance with excitement. “I need to know everything. Are there books? How can I read up on the history?”
I consider. “Most knowledge is handed down orally, but I believe the Adalwulfs have some old secret texts. Their pack has witch blood woven in, so they possess more magical knowledge than most. It makes them all the more dangerous.”
We finish the meal, and Madi orders tiramisu to go. I throw a hundred dollar bill on the table and get up.
Madi stares at it like she’s going to argue that it’s too much, but then she nods. “Cool. They deserve a killer tip.”
I pick up the takeout box. “Now where?”
“I need to pick up a few things from my apartment.” We walk down the slick sidewalk.
“Okay. I can call Tony if you want to bring more than a few things. Madi…I’d like you to move in.”
She elbows me. “Are you pretending I have a choice right now?”
I smirk. “It’s hard to fool you, isn’t it?”
“It is.”
“Listen.” I stop and turn her to face me, causing other pedestrians on the street to walk around us. “I want to make this right for you. Do you believe that?”
She gives a small nod. “Yes.” She sounds a little breathless.
“I want to get you out of New York. I’d like to go somewhere we can be alone. Somewhere we can lie on a warm beach and let our guards down. Get to know each other in new ways.”
A slow smile spreads across Madi’s face. “That sounds nice.”
“Good.” I pull out my phone to order a jet. “We’ll leave tonight.”
“Tonight?” Surprise tinges her voice.
“Yes. I need to know that we’re solid. Then I can face down the threats to the pack.”
* * *
Madi
Um, wow.
It’s completely impossible to stay angry or resentful toward Brick. I mean, he had me at that thank you he dropped in my hair the moment he walked in the penthouse, but now I’m starting to feel like we’re a team again.
Brick is on the phone making arrangements as we walk to my apartment. He walks up the stairs with me, but his phone rings again as we walk in. “Hang on–it’s Eagle. I’ll just take this call and then come in,” he says as he answers it.
I nod. Does that mean he doesn’t want me to hear what he’s saying?
No, I’m being paranoid. He said he wants us to be solid. He’s taking me to a beach. Considering what a cold, nasty day it is in New York, I’m thrilled.
I go inside and grab a small suitcase, throwing in a swimsuit and flip-flops for the beach and things I’ve missed most while staying at Brick’s–my Kindle and charger, my ultrasonic toothbrush, my favorite sleep shirt, a pair of bronze dangle earrings Aubrey made for me.
My phone rings, and I check the screen.
Catherine Adalwulf.
I haven’t spoken to her since I figured out Jerry was a spy and contacted her for support. She was the one who told me to call Sully to have him follow up on it. As I’d guessed, she told me that she’d unwittingly been used as a weapon against her mate, just as I was being used.
I answer the phone, feeling a small stab of guilt at communicating with her while Brick still refuses to speak to her. But I’m not unloyal. I’m team Brick all the way, I just happen to think Catherine is, too.
“Madi, hi!” Catherine’s voice is uncertain. I can’t help but feel pity for her. To have your own son hate you would be the worst sort of fate.
“Hi, Catherine. How are you?”
“I’m well. I’m just calling to congratulate you on your mating.”
I stiffen. Brick doesn’t want the Adalwulfs–or his own pack–to know we’re mated. How does Catherine know? Or is she using me to get information for Aiden?
“Ruby told me,” she explains.
I relax a little.
“She also told me how you saved his life. Thank you, Madi. Truly.”
“Well, of course. I–” I start to say I love him. Something I haven’t even said to Brick. Something I’m still trying to defend myself against. But for some reason, holding that back from his mother feels wrong. She feels like an ally in all this. “I love him.”
“I know you do, sweetheart. I saw it at Thanksgiving. I saw what you mean to him, too. I’m sure it’s complicated with you being human. I just want to offer my full support and official welcome to the family. I’m not a Blackthroat, but Brick is my son, which makes you my daughter, now.”
Tears sting my eyes for the relief of having at least one wolf shifter welcome me to their kind.
But it also feels so empty. Like I got married but missed my wedding. Here I am, locked into a lifetime as Brick’s one and only mate, and my own mother doesn’t even know I’m dating him.
She wouldn’t approve if she did.
“Thank you.” My throat is clogged. “It’s, um, it’s a lot to absorb. I don’t understand it all, and that drives me crazy.”
“Well, I’m here. Like I said, I’m not a Blackthroat, but I know Brick, and I can tell you anything you need to know about wolf culture. You’re one of us now, Madi. You’re in our world. I don’t know what it’s like to mate out of species, but I do know what it’s like to mate out of pack. It was awful. I will do everything I can to make it easier for you to integrate.”
I don’t know why I feel like bawling. I clear my throat. “That means a lot to me. Thank you. Do you think we could…get together some time?” Of course, as soon as I suggest it, I realize it’s not possible. Not if I’m under lock and key. There’s no way Brick would allow his mom into his apartment, and if I go out to meet her on my own, I’d surely have bodyguards who would report back. “Or just schedule a phone chat?” I hear Brick enter through the front door. My pulse quickens like I’m going to be in trouble. “Now isn’t a good time, but maybe later?”
“Any time, sweetheart. Just call me. This is my cell number.”
Brick enters my bedroom, his eyes fixed on the phone at my ear.
I walk into the bathroom, like I’m still packing up my toothbrush. “Okay, thank you. I’ve got to run. Bye!” I turn and find Brick has followed me in. I bump into him, and he catches me, those large hands molding around my upper arms gently.
“Who was that?”
I turn the tables and attempt to give him one of his Big Bad Boss arched brows. “Am I going to have any privacy at all in this relationship?”
He draws back. If I didn’t know better, I would say I wounded him.
It wasn’t my intention, but I am still sore about him locking me in his apartment this morning. Still, as I justify my caginess in my head, it feels wrong. Everything about me and Brick feels wrong right now.
No–not everything. The ever-present intense physical chemistry is here. But nothing else feels solid. I’m supposed to be his life-mate. His mother is calling to welcome me to the family, and the ocean that divides me and Brick only seems to be getting more choppy.
I push past him, throwing more belongings into my bag, but he follows me, catching me around the waist and pulling my back against his front. He strokes my hair back from the side of my face. “Am I suffocating you, Madi?”
The tension melts from my body just from being in his arms. My cells begin to vibrate like my body is celebrating his presence. “Locking me in your apartment might be considered suffocating behavior.” There’s no tartness to my voice–my words come out husky and soft.
He traces his tongue around the shell of my ear. “I’m sorry,” he murmurs. “It’s just that you belong to me now.” If he wasn’t continuing with that insane nibbling along my ear, I might reject that sentiment. “I can’t help but be all up in your business because it’s my job to make you happy.”
Oh, damn him.
“But mostly what I’m aware of is that I haven’t wooed you properly. Wolves know their mates by scent. Humans require a different kind of courtship. I know I’m late to this game, but I am going to court you properly, Madison Evans.”
I’m melting into a total puddle at his feet.
“Are you?” I didn’t even know I had a bedroom voice. Apparently I do.
He kisses my neck. “Mmm hmm. Do you think it will work?”
My core clenches and quivers. “I think there’s a definite chance it will work.”