Chapter Four
Brick
By Monday night, I’m back from California, with the deal closed, and my nose in the snow.
I race at full speed in the darkness, narrowly dodging trees like I’m in some kind of competition. Letting my wolf off-leash in the Berkshires after being pent up half the week is a relief, as is having the Benson deal closed.
I should be out celebrating with my team. Opening thousand dollar bottles of champagne and eating at the best restaurant in Manhattan.
Instead, I’m alone in the woods.
I took Eagle with me to close the deal instead of Billy or Nickel, which I’m sure pissed them off. I just wasn’t willing to sit in the private jet with them and field their questions or judgements about what I’m doing or not doing with Madi.
Eagle already knows exactly what I’ve been doing with Madi, and he also knew better than to mention it on the trip.
When I get back to the manse, I shower and flop down on the bed Madi slept in. Of course, Liz has washed the sheets and aired out the room, but I was still drawn to the far wing of the mansion, like my subconscious–or my wolf–wants me to remember what happened there.
I know this is more than screwing the secretary.
Far more.
Everyone who was here that day knew it when I nearly went nuts about her disappearance.
Madi is my mate.
I stare at the empty place beside me and try to remember how it felt to spoon her cold body. That gnawing fear still in my throat that she wouldn’t be all right. Or that she would really quit on me.
My phone rings, and I lunge for it, even though Madi wouldn”t dare call me after hours. Not unless I called her first.
It’s Eagle. What in the fuck could he want? We just parted in Manhattan a few hours ago. It can’t be something to do with the deal–it closed.
It better not be.
I swipe right. “Eagle. What is it?”
“Everything’s fine. I came into the office to get the paperwork filed with the SEC.”
“Okay.” I bite back my impatience. The run took the edge off, but thinking about Madi brought it back.
“Did you give the whole legal and analyst team the whole week off?”
“What?”
“So you didn’t.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I was looking for my team, and every single one of them were gone. When I called HR, Genevieve said you told them all to take the week off for a job well done.”
An involuntary smile starts to tug at my lips.
My naughty, naughty secretary.
Someone is looking for another reprimand.
“I see. Is Madi at work, or did she give herself the week off, too?”
“Ah.” Eagle goes silent as he no doubt realizes he’s in the middle of a lovers’ stand-off. He clears his throat. “I don’t know. Is this a problem I need to address?”
“No. I’ll address it. Can you get the filing done without your team?”
“Yes, it’s fine. I’ll handle it personally. I would have anyway.”
“Good.”
I end the call and dial my office number.
“Mr. Blackthroat.”
“You’re still at work.”
“Yes, sir. I had a million things to catch up on that I couldn’t get to last week while we were finishing the Benson deal. How did it go?”
There’s a warmth in the center of my chest I try to ignore. It’s one thing to have my wolf attracted to Madi. It’s another to admire her brilliant mind and extreme capability.
It’s something completely different to feel true affection blooming. Pleasure at the way she asks how it went–like she’s a true partner to me, not just an employee I like to fuck. I suddenly want to be near her not just to ravish that hot little body again but just to be near her. To catch one of her off-hand gestures, like tucking that sleek bob behind one ear or the impudent tilt of her chin when challenged.
“So the Big Bad Boss didn’t give you the week off for a job well done, as well?”
“No, he didn’t. Mainly because I wanted to be around when he found out he’d given those orders.”
“Mmm hmm. How do you think he’ll react to your abuse of his authority?”
Her voice gets husky. “Well, I’m expecting he’ll give me a personal taste of that authority.”
“Oh you can count on it, Ms. Evans. He is not pleased that Eagle has to file with the SEC without a single member of his team available to support him.”
Madi draws in an audible breath. “I’m so sorry.” All innuendo is gone from her voice, and I’m instantly sorry I gave her a real reason for regret.
“It’s all right. He can handle it. And I can handle you. Expect punishment tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry about Eagle’s team. I can contact Genevieve and–”
“No,” I cut her off. “I said it’s handled. We’ll discuss the situation thoroughly tomorrow. Understand?”
“I went too far.”
“No. Keep testing me, Madi. I like it.”