Chapter 76 Liza
LIZA
The soft glow of my computer screen illuminated the dimly lit office as I diligently worked on invoices, my fingers flying across the keyboard. The monotonous task was almost a welcome distraction from the constant action surrounding me during the day and the vivid dreams I had every night.
A ping alerted me to a new email. Rosalie’s background check..
“Please, please be good news,” I muttered to myself as I scanned the email with bated breath.
Rosalie’s background check was all clear, and her references checked out perfectly.
Unable to contain my excitement, I clapped my hands together and squealed like a giddy schoolgirl.
Rosalie would make an excellent assistant chef.
Her talent in the kitchen and hardworking nature were undeniable, and her cheery disposition would brighten up the workplace after a long day of cooking.
“Finally, some good news.” After having a maniac in my office attempt to slice open his wrist just days prior, it was nice to have confirmation that Rosalie was exactly who she said she was, and that my judgment wasn’t completely off.
I didn’t have to worry about her being some omega fanatic who’d lied her way into my home in hopes of witnessing a miracle.
I grabbed my phone, eager to share the news with Rosalie. As I dialed her number, my leg jumped with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to have her by my side as not only an assistant chef but also a student—someone I could pour my time and energy into.
“Hey, Liza!” Rosalie’s voice chirped through the phone, bursting with enthusiasm, which wasn’t surprising in the least. “What’s up?”
“Rosalie, I have some good news. Your background check came back perfect, and your references were glowing. You’re officially hired as my assistant chef!” I blurted, unable to contain my excitement any longer.
“Seriously? Oh my gods, Liza, thank you so much,” she squealed, her voice bubbling over with joy. “I promise you won’t regret this. I am going to work so hard for you.”
“I have no doubt about that. Your passion and skill in the kitchen are just what I’ve been searching for.” My statement was filled with pride. “I’ll email you soon with an official start date and time. I’d love to get you set up to start working this week. Will that work for you?”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll keep an eye out for the email. Thanks again, Liza. You have my word that I will perform my hardest for you.”
I smiled, already thinking of the incredible dishes we’d create together. “Take care, Rosalie.”
After we said our goodbyes, I leaned back in my chair, my chest swelling with happiness. This was a new chapter not only for me and my company, but also for Rosalie. Together, we would take Presley Acres by storm, one delicious dish at a time.
I was feeling energized, and the sound of the printer whirring to life was a sign of productivity. Some days, it seemed I just chased my tail in circles between pack duties, meetings, and keeping my business afloat. But today, everything had clicked into place for once.
As the printer spat out Rosalie’s paperwork, there was an odd shift in the atmosphere. I cocked my head to the side, trying to make sense of it. The scent was subtle, barely discernible, but unmistakable, nonetheless. Ty was home, and something was very wrong.
His footsteps drew nearer, and if I’d had any doubts before, I had none now.
Fury rolled off him in large, fast waves.
I heard a pause in his steps, and that fury in the air lessened a bit, as if he were trying to stifle it the closer he came to my office, but it was still palpable beneath the surface.
My heart thudded as my instincts screamed that trouble was brewing.
“Hey, babe.” Ty forced a smile as he stepped into my office, but his eyes betrayed him. The rage simmering within those familiar depths put me on alert.
“Ty, what happened?” My voice wavered slightly. “Are you okay?”
“Nothing happened.” He dismissed me and tried to pretend like everything was perfectly fine, though his words were blatantly hollow.
“Come on, Ty. You can’t hide your emotions from me. I know you too well. I’m your mate.” I raised an eyebrow, calling him on his bullshit.
He raked a hand through his hair. “I had a meeting with a guy named Maximus, an alpha from a non-allied pack. The arrogant bastard comes to me with some business scheme, thinks I should throw money at his ridiculous casino idea, but refuses to contact Hiram for advice.”
Ty obviously didn’t like this Maximus guy, but I never would’ve expected a simple business meeting to make him that angry, especially when the guy obviously had a dumb proposal. Typically, Ty would have just shrugged it off and moved on.
“A sucky meeting didn’t make you this furious. Are you sure that’s all that happened?”
He hesitated, averting his gaze. Bingo. Ty was definitely keeping something from me.
“Ty, we’ve been through this before. Secrets have come between us in the past, and I don’t want that to happen again.” I stood and made my way across the room. “Why can’t you confide in me?”
“Liza, telling you everything about the meeting won’t make a damn difference.” Ty was defensive but finally making eye contact with me again. “I’m not keeping secrets to be secretive, it’s just something you don’t need to know.”
What the hell was this? His explanation wasn’t good enough for me.
Had we taken two steps backward in our relationship after everything we’d been through?
I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. “Maybe it’s not a big deal to you, but you’re obviously upset, which makes me worried and uncomfortable.
Why won’t you tell me? I don’t see what the big fucking deal is. ”
“Because it’s not important!” Anger flared in his eyes. “Knowing every detail of the meeting won’t affect us or our life. It was just an arrogant man trying to piss me off. Why do you have to push so much?”
“Because I care, Ty,” I whispered, trying to keep the hurt out of my voice. “You say we’re partners, but when I want to help, you push me away.”
“Sometimes, Liza”—he gritted his teeth, his hands clenched into fists at his sides—“you need to learn when to leave well enough alone.”
“Gods, you have such fucking double standards. You want me to tell you everything about my feelings, even if it has nothing to do with you. Then you tell me you’re not being secretive, that it’s not anything I need to know. Isn’t that the meaning of the fucking word secretive?”
Ty’s face reddened, and he took a step back toward the door, like he needed to physically separate himself from me. His muscles tensed, and his jaw clenched, his eyes darkening.
“Damn it, Liza. You really need to learn when to leave shit alone.”
His outburst surprised me, hurt me. He’d never spoken to me like that. Quite the opposite, in fact. Ty always treated me with respect, and I swallowed past the lump forming in my throat.
Nodding, I managed a tight-lipped smile. “Fine, Ty. I won’t ask again.”
I grabbed my purse and keys, storming past him without another word. The sound of my heels clicking on the hardwood floor punctuated my exit, and I left Ty standing there in the empty office, his expression a mixture of anger and regret.
As I made my way through the house, I decided that visiting my parents would be the perfect distraction from whatever had crawled up Ty’s ass. I announced my plans to the guards stationed near the entrance.
“I want to go to my parents’ house.” I placed a hand on my hip, expecting instant compliance.
They exchanged hesitant glances. One of the guards nervously darted his eyes around as he stammered, “Uh, ma’am, we can’t do that. We need to obtain permission from Alpha Ty first.”
My blood boiled first at their hesitation, then at the inference that I couldn’t leave the estate without Ty’s permission.
“Listen.” I pointed at him, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“I am the lady of this pack, and I do not need my mate’s approval to go see my own parents.
So, if you don’t mind, let my security detail know I am going to my parents and to meet me at the car with the fucking keys. ”
The guards fumbled over their words, their faces turning a lovely shade of beet red. “Of course, Mrs. Keller. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
“Good.” I pulled my purse up onto my shoulder and stormed past them and out the front door.
As they scrambled to follow my orders, I smirked at their flustered state. It wasn’t often that I flexed my authority in such a manner, but it had been necessary this time, and it had felt damn good.
Robin and Jamie had, as instructed, collected the keys, then met me at the car. We were now driving through the downtown area toward my parents’ house. I rested my head against the car window, attempting to absorb the town’s energy.
What the hell? I’d been so focused on the goings-on within the estate’s walls that I hadn’t noticed the apparent shift within the fanatics who’d come to town in the hopes of catching a glimpse of me.
It hadn’t taken long for their adoration to morph into loathing.
As we passed my office, my breath caught in my throat. “Stop the car.”
Angry red paint and venomous words smeared the front of the building.
The word FRAUD had been painted over and over across it.
A small crowd were gathered outside, waving around signs that also accused me of being a fraud.
Hell no. They’d vandalized my office and gathered to spew their nastiness, and it was all directed at me.
Jamie, who was driving, hesitated.
“Jamie, stop the damn car. Now.”
He reluctantly pulled over but didn’t shut off the engine.
My thoughts raced as I took in the scene before me. Rage bubbled and boiled over as I flung open the door. Robin, who’d been sitting in the rear seat of the car beside me, called out, “Liza, don’t! It’s not safe. Please, get back inside.”