Chapter Four
Titus arrived at Orion Industries shortly before two o’clock.
It was in his nature to be prompt. He couldn’t abide anybody who was late for an appointment because, in his head, that person was either lazy or disorganized.
Perpetually late people, whether for business or a date, never held his attention for long.
Because he wanted a chance to check out the business and get a few more clues about the people who owned it, he turned up early.
The building itself was discreetly elegant. Concrete, glass, a few hints of chrome, and a small black sign with a gold O on it, along with four stars – the logo Titus remembered from the website.
But as he walked through the reception area, Titus was surprised not to see any ostentatious columns or decorative elements.
He thought the Greeks were very fond of their architectural elements.
But like the front of the building, the foyer was understated with more glass and concrete.
There was one fine edge of gold along the front of the reception desk, but that was as far as the decorations went.
I thought Artemis was the goddess of the hunt – where’re the plants or natural elements?
Titus noticed that the receptionist was a lady of an indeterminate age.
As he got closer, he noted she had the air of “other” about her, and he wondered if she was one of the nymphs that Regis had mentioned - the nymphs gifted to Artemis by her father.
However, he kept his thoughts off his face and nodded politely when she noticed him.
“I have an appointment with your owners at two,” he said, making sure to smile.
“Titus Haverland, owner of Titus Industries.”
“Ah, yes, Mr. Haverland, Madam left word you were expected.” The voice was soft, but there was a thread of steel there too – the sort of undertone that would make any sensible person think twice about messing with the woman.
She was dressed to blend into the surroundings, and Titus wondered if that was deliberate.
“If you would care to take the left-hand elevator and go to the sixth floor, the receptionist there will let you know where to go from there.”
“You’ve been very helpful. Thank you.”
Titus strode off, every sense on high alert.
Neither he nor his wolf felt he was in any danger, but Titus was curious about the business and its occupants, and he couldn’t help looking around.
Sniffing discreetly, he realized he couldn’t scent any person at all, although that might have been because of the jasmine air freshener being piped through the air ducts at various points around the ceiling.
There was nothing wrong with the company ensuring that no unpleasant smells invaded their offices. But Titus wondered how much of that was done to help prevent shifters or other paranormals from finding out more about the people working there.
Or maybe I’m getting paranoid in my old age and seeing things that aren’t here or sniffing for them, he thought as he approached the elevator – the door of which opened on his approach.
Pressing the button for the sixth floor, Titus noticed that the sixth floor was the highest floor the elevator would go to, even though Titus had noticed as he’d approached the building that there were actually eight floors.
Will I even get to see the seventh and eighth floors? he wondered. Or does the Madam keep all her business on the sixth floor and below?
Stepping out onto the sixth floor, Titus was still being offered no clues about what the company did or who the people were that worked there.
He was greeted with another reception room, which could have easily been a mirror of the one on the ground floor.
Except this time the receptionist had dark hair, but the same nondescript clothing, the same very pretty face, and that air of other.
Perhaps all of the employees are made up of Artemis’s maidens , he thought.
Not that it was his concern. He could hear Regis’s warning in his head.
Don’t go letting your curiosity cause you to make a deal that’s not good for the company .
And he wouldn’t. Titus had worked too damn hard to get to where he was to blow it on a deal made out of curiosity. He needed to focus.
“Good afternoon, I’m Titus Haverland. I believe the company owners are expecting me for a meeting at two.” Maybe if he sounded as if he was expecting Apollo to attend with Artemis, it might happen.
But the receptionist, who gave him a very polite smile, said, “Yes, Mr. Haverland. Madam will see you in the conference room. If you follow me, we’ll head down this way.
” Without waiting for a response, she led the way down a long corridor that was paneled in wood.
Very classy and a welcome change from the chrome and glass.
But Titus realized that was probably also intentional.
It meant that despite his wolf being able to pick up sounds of people working in offices beyond those walls, he couldn’t see anything.
What does the lovely goddess have to hide?
The receptionist stopped by a wide door, which she tapped on and opened, although the room was empty. There was a large circular table in the middle of the room and about half a dozen chairs spread around it. Titus noticed they were very well spread apart. She really doesn’t want to be close to me.
“If you could take a seat,” the receptionist said, “I’ll let Madam know that you’re here and arrange some refreshments.”
“You’re very kind. Thank you.” Titus sat down, studying the room.
Beige walls. Nothing offensive. But there was no personality in the room at all.
There were two large abstract art pieces.
They were the only splashes of color in the room, aside from the view out of the window.
But everything else was wooden. Titus hadn’t seen any posters, awards, or other indications of what the company was involved in or had achieved.
Even the company logo was small and discreet.
Definitely not drawing attention to themselves.
He had barely time to get comfortable before the door opened again and the receptionist came in carrying a large tray with the normal coffee accoutrements and a couple of cookies on a plate.
Titus was used to that sort of fare, and as he had already had a hearty lunch, he simply requested a cup of black coffee when the receptionist asked, refusing cream or sugar.
She had barely finished serving him when Artemis came into the room.
Titus kept his smirk to himself as she deliberately walked around to the other side of the rather wide table, taking a seat and smoothing down the legs of the pantsuit she had decided to wear for the meeting.
“Mr. Haverland, thank you very much for taking the time to meet me this afternoon.”
“No problem at all. I’m interested in learning more about your company.” Titus relaxed back in his chair.
“Yes, well, as you’ve probably seen from our information brochure…”
You mean the one I wasn’t given? Titus kept that to himself.
“Here at Orion Industries, we work on numerous projects, both nationally and on an international scale,” Artemis continued. It was clearly a practiced speech. “Our efforts in the United States involve the sourcing and transporting of goods necessary for the numerous projects we have overseas.”
You couldn’t just zap them? Titus thought. He nodded to show he was listening.
“The reason why your company came to our notice was because of the extensive transport network you currently operate, which covers many of the towns on our supply chain route. We’re looking for reliable and cost-effective transportation of those goods from their source warehouses, usually to the closest port or airport, depending on the final destination for those goods and the nature of the goods being transported. ”
Titus tapped the side of his mug. “Basically, you want goods transported from point A to point B. That is something my business excels at. I’m not hearing a lot of specifics,” he added.
“I can appreciate your caution – most company owners prefer to keep their trade secrets close to their chests – but more details would be helpful.”
Artemis flinched at the word “chests”, and Titus wondered again why on earth she wanted to do business with him in the first place.
He decided to put his cards on the table.
It’s not like he had anything to lose. Everything about Artemis’s attitude suggested a tense working arrangement, if they had one at all.
“Ms. Artemis,” he said firmly. “I’m aware that you’re a Greek goddess.
I’m a wolf shifter, and I know you know that too.
As a wolf shifter, I can’t ignore that, for some reason, my presence makes you uncomfortable.
I don’t know why, and it’s not my business if you choose not to tell me, however, I have no wish to prolong this meeting longer than necessary.
“During the course of doing my research on Orion Industries, I could find no obvious reason why we couldn’t work together if the terms are favorable to both of us.
But if you’re uncomfortable with me because of what I am, rather than what I can do, then wouldn’t it make more sense for you to either use another company for your needs, or possibly delegate these meetings to some other person in your company?
For example, your website mentions you co-own this company with your brother, Apollo.
Wouldn’t it be more comfortable for you if your brother and I handled the details of this collaboration? ”
There was a moment’s silence, and Titus wondered if he’d gone too far, but if there was one thing he couldn’t stand it was people being wary around his wolf for no apparent reason.
It’s not like Artemis was in any danger of him – she was a freaking goddess.
She could probably annihilate him with a wave of her hand.