Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73722 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
I lean back, savoring her scent up close. It does strange things to me. This shouldn’t be happening.
She cocks her head. “The whole encounter was about thirty seconds. I’m not sneaking off for clandestine meetings with your business rival. Is that what you wanted to know?”
I grunt. I can’t admit that.
“He’s more than just a business rival, isn’t he?” She peers at me like she can look into my mind and find the truth.
Not much gets by this girl.
“He’s my cousin.” I spit out the admission with venom, not pausing to realize how out of character it is for me to share anything of a personal nature with a human employee.
“He did this to you?” I stroke my thumb lightly over the red smudge on her arm. It will turn into a bruise soon. Humans are fragile as fuck.
I don’t know why she hasn’t pulled out of my grasp yet. Oh yeah, probably because I’m her boss. Which is exactly why my touch is completely inappropriate.
“I’m okay,” she says, not exactly answering my question. “I bruise easily.” She lifts her gaze once more. “He is a dick, though.”
My lips twitch, which is completely out of character for me. Something about this human makes me feel different. Energized. Suddenly awake. “Agreed. I want you to stay away from that building.” I drop my hands and rise from my chair. “In fact, Indira gets the coffee from now on.”
She blinks at the break in the mood and straightens. “Actually, sir, I was going to ask you about that. Indira would like an analyst position. I think her talents are wasted here.”
“That’s what you think?” I raise a brow. Her freckled skin reddens, but she doesn’t back down.
“Yes, sir.” She doesn’t defend herself, just quietly meets my gaze with total assurance that she’s right.
My dick twitches.
“How do you know?”
“I can read people.”
“You can, can’t you?” It’s one of her superpowers, and gives her an edge. I like that she knows her own strengths and owns them. “What was your read on Aiden Adalwulf?”
“He has no soul. He’d sacrifice anything for power.”
Dead on.
“Do you feel that way about me?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“No, sir. You command loyalty.” She nods to the executive floor, where Vance, Jake and Billy are in a huddle, plotting while they drink their coffee. “That kind of bond requires self-sacrifice.”
I’m speechless for a second.
“What about you, Ms. Evans? Are your talents wasted here?”
Her light brown eyes are bold on mine. “Not at all, sir. I find the job quite stimulating.” She flashes a sardonic smile. “Minus the coffee runs. But no, I’m right where I need to be.”
I agree, but I won’t admit it. “Tell Indira to report to Vance from now on. On my orders.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Is that all? Have you arranged everyone to your liking?”
Her eyes drop to the table, but amusement colors her tone. “Yes, sir. For now.”
I jerk my chin to dismiss her but call her name before she reaches the door. “Madison.”
She halts.
“This makes you my direct assistant. Think you can handle me?”
“Absolutely. Sir.” The corner of her mouth jerks up before she smooths her expression. “I’m happy to accept the promotion, as long as there’s a pay increase with it.”
“Double the work. Double the pay, if you survive the three month probationary period.”
Her voice is low and husky. “I look forward to impressing you.” Her fragrance has a sultry edge. She tempts me beyond reason.
I’m ten seconds away from throwing her down on the conference table and tasting her essence straight from the source. I wave a hand. “Go.”
She’s not gone a minute before Billy strolls in. “Why is she still working here?”
“She had a run in with Aiden Adalwulf.”
“No kidding,” he says drily because they all caught the scent. “What happened? Is she his spy?” His expression is dangerous.
“No. She chose to get the coffee from the Adalwulf building and bumped into him–literally.”
My clumsy secretary. The memory of her tripping into me sends some of my blood south.
Billy’s eyes narrow. “You believe her? The Adalwulfs would love to plant someone on the inside. Or maybe they already did.” He raises his brows. “A leak would explain why they bid on Benson.”
“A leak about Benson would have happened before Madison’s time,” I snap, more annoyed than I should be with his suspicion of New Girl.
He stills when I say her name.
Fuck.
He may have already noted my favor with her. He faces the glass conference wall, studying Madison for a few moments.
“She’s human.” It’s not a reminder. It’s a warning.
“Obviously.”
“I’ll look into her.”
I bristle, but to tell him not to investigate her would only cement his resolve and tip my hand. I recognize the stubborn intention on Billy’s face. He’s going to keep an eye on her. I can’t tell him to back off.