Chapter 27 #2
“Reading some emails that he didn’t want to read at the office.” I hesitated a moment, then decided I needed to know where Kaya stood. “I think he wanted to get away from Lianna, who’s been a pain in his ass lately.”
Kaya frowned and looked at me. Her expression conveyed more curiosity than censure.
“Really? How?”
“Usually, by barging into his office whenever she wants, regardless of his schedule or workload. And it’s almost always about pointless stuff, like scheduling client meetings, which she can do through us instead of interrupting him.
He pointed that out to her, but she got mad and left.
Today, specifically though, she barged in to complain about me. ”
“You? Why?” Kaya asked, looking more upset.
“I was redesigning a marketing project that had already been approved.”
“Why?” Mom asked.
“I saw some room for improvement, and it’s a good way to gain experience while I’m still training.”
“Makes sense,” Mom said.
“But also because Lianna seems to have a real problem with me, either because I don’t come from money or because she’s jealous Konni’s paying attention to me.”
Mom glanced at Kaya, who looked deep in thought, before she sighed.
“If it’s jealousy, her mother and I share some blame. Female dragons are rare, and having Lianna born so close to Konni was a novelty.
“They didn’t just grow up together—they heard us tease about ending up as in-laws. When Lianna was seven and started acting like she owned him, we thought it was cute. We knew it wasn’t our choice. Dragons either scent their mates or they don't. But we never corrected her behavior.”
“She’s an adult. Her behavior now is her problem, not yours,” I said. “And Konni’s. He needs to put her in her place, or she’ll keep acting like she owns him.”
Hands settled on my shoulders, and Konni, who’d snuck up behind me, kissed the top of my head.
“I have been,” he said. “But if you feel I should do something more aggressive, I can.”
I tipped my head back to look at him.
“It’s nice when you say something stupid to prove that you’re not perfect.”
Surprise, worry, and humor flitted across his expression.
“I think you need to help me understand my imperfection.”
“I love you, but you’re an idiot,” his mom said. “Sophia shouldn’t need to tell you when to put another woman in her place; you should see it on your own and act.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said before giving me a pleading look.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you because of one mistake. Two is risky, though.”
A small groan escaped me as I got out of the car.
Konni smirked.
He’d ensured I’d paid for last night’s comment about leaving him. My hips were stiff, and my inner thighs were sore from his enthusiastic effort to prove his value, even when he did do dumb things. And he definitely had proven himself. Over and over and over.
“Keep it up, and you’ll be the one groaning,” I warned softly.
His eyes grew more golden. “Promise?”
I snorted and followed him to the main doors. Like the day before, I stayed half a step behind him all the way to our floor.
“Hold off on my coffee,” he said as soon as the doors opened. “I want to meet with the team to discuss the week’s schedule first.”
Curious, since he hadn’t said anything about work-related stuff on the way here, I nodded and followed him to our area.
Edi was already there.
“Have the other two meet us in the office as soon as they’re in,” Konni said.
“They should be here in five with our breakfast.”
“Good. Bring it in with you.” He paused as I put my purse away and motioned to his office.
Wanting to know what he was up to, I entered first.
My mistake.
Konni had me against the wall and was kissing the daylights out of me a second later. He knew exactly how to touch me so I forgot where we were. I melted into him, loving it even though I was in no shape for another round.
He ended the kisses sweetly, and I felt cherished and wanted in a way that had nothing to do with sex. Because of that, it took a few seconds for what just happened to register. When it did, I pinched his side and scowled.
He grinned unrepentantly and leaned in to whisper, “I didn’t close the door, and no one’s around. No rules were broken.”
I grabbed his tie to keep him tethered then lightly bit his earlobe.
He groaned and hit his head on the wall as his knees buckled a little.
Laughing, I darted out from his hold to put some distance—and his desk—between us.
“Was there something specific you wanted to talk about before the meeting, Mr. Steele?” I asked sweetly.
He slowly turned away from the wall and studied me while gently tugging on the earlobe I’d nipped.
“There was. Open the left drawer.”
I did and saw a long jewelry box inside. If it’d been a small square one, I would have slammed the drawer shut in fear. But a long one I could do.
Smirking at the thought, I removed the box and opened it.
A beautiful diamond tennis bracelet nestled on black velvet lay inside. Diamonds dotted the intricate interlocking wings design.
Looking up, I held out the bracelet and beckoned him with my free hand. The heat in his gaze as he crossed the room said he wanted to do more than assist with jewelry, but he didn’t. He stuck to the task I’d given him, then kissed my wrist.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “I love it.”
Gold shimmered in his gaze, and I quickly stepped back to put the case in the drawer. When I motioned for him to sit in his chair, he watched me closely, tempting me, silently begging for me to tease him in some way as he obeyed.
I leaned over him and watched the gold condense in his eyes.
“Your tie’s crooked,” I said, straightening it.
Today’s top, courtesy of Sunday’s shopping spree, had a keyhole cutout in the halter neckline, which was giving him a nice cleavage shot as I fixed the mess I’d made of his tie.
“And how exactly does this benefit the company?” Lianna asked, her tone filled with scorn.
I heard Konni’s sigh as I calmly straightened away from him.
“Do you know what this is?” he asked, pointing to his office phone. “I know you don’t know how to use it, but your people do. Have them call to set up a meeting when you need something. I’m busy and don’t have time for you right now.”
She looked like he’d slapped her.
“Busy doing what? Getting your tie straightened?”
“Sorry we’re late, Mr. Steele,” Bomir said, rushing into the office with two drink carriers. “They had a new barista today.”
Marius followed with several to-go bags.
“As you can see, I’m having a team meeting. I suggest you do the same.” He pointed at the phone again.
“I need to know what’s happening with the Riverfront—”
He slammed his hand down on his desk, making me and Bomir jump. Edi saved the drinks from a fatal fall.
“Out. Now.” Konni’s voice carried more than a hint of growl in it.
The four of us remained frozen as Konni stared Lianna down. She turned on her heel and stormed out as suddenly as she’d entered. Edi hurried to close the door.
“Sorry, Mr. Steele,” he started. “I couldn’t—”
Konni waved away his apology. “She’s not your problem. She’s mine. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about this morning. Have a seat.”
Everyone moved to the sitting area with their drinks and sandwiches.
“Have you heard anything from IT about the cameras lately?” he asked Marius.
“The camera in the hallway outside our suite and by our workstations that also covers your door have gone out twice since they set up the alerts. They had the cameras back up within minutes each time, but have set up additional cameras outside of our existing system as a failsafe.”
“Do they know why they keep going out?”
“They were turned off with the admin account, which is known by the IT leaders and anyone who has access to that piece of the Steele Corp’s disaster recovery plan.”
“So half the executive team,” Konni said.
“You’re annoying me again,” I said, uncaring that we had an audience.
Konni’s confused gaze met mine.
“Oh, come on. It’s Lianna. Only the cameras where I’m sitting have problems, and she’s the only one on the executive team who has a grudge against me. Coincidence? No.”
“I know she’s behind it, but I need proof to remove her. Not only is she a high-ranking executive, but she’s also a high-ranking person in our circle, and her mom’s a close friend of my mom’s.”
“Well, that makes getting proof easy then. I thought you were being blind, not careful.”
“Easy how?” Edi asked. “We’ve been combing through everything, trying to prove it's her.”
“That’s because you didn’t tell me what you were doing. Leave it to me.”
“What exactly are we leaving to you?” Konni said.
“Pushing Lianna’s buttons so hard she makes a mistake.”
Konni didn’t look happy with that answer, but nodded his agreement.
“I’m also anticipating the fire inspector’s call. Too many things have happened to believe it wasn’t arson. If I’m in a meeting when the call comes, interrupt it.”
“Understood,” Edi said. He hesitated a second. “Do you believe what’s happening inside and outside is the same person?”
“No,” I said before Konni could. “The stuff happening outside started way before I ever met Lianna. I just seem to be a trouble magnet.”
“Agreed,” Konni said. “Sophia doesn’t leave your sight.”