The view from this office was always my favorite. The streets are always crowded, the beach is always alive, and it’s just very pretty. This is where I thought our lives would settle in, and we’d finally have a home. But standing here now, it feels like that was a completely different life. It’s a memory from a long time ago, just like my childhood, something I haven’t been able to forget as of late.
Cev and I had carefully curated this office to feel homie, and the new girl turned it into a goth sex dungeon. I’m kidding, at least I think I am because there are shiny red leather whips and other disturbing shit that probably shouldn’t be on display in a place where we talk to potential clients. What the fuck is wrong with her?
“Yeah, this is what happened after you left.” I turn around to see Sullivan leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. Just the man I came looking for. I was hoping Xo hadn’t gotten rid of him.
“I am so sorry you had to deal with that,” I laugh. “Did she at least consider my plans?”
“No,” he smirks. “She had nothing to do with the restoration of the building. I was sneaking in orders for the shelves and new equipment in all the bullshit in here,” he motions around. “She wanted to relaunch with a fucking gimp line.”
I reach into my purse to get one of Aizen’s Nerds candy boxes. I hand it to him and give him a hug. That is rough. He tenses up at first and then leans into me, exasperated. I rub his back and then step back, encouraging him to eat the candy. He deserves it.
“Well, you never have to deal with that shit again,” I sigh looking around. He freezes and stares back at me like he’s seen a ghost.
“Are you firing me?” he asks suddenly.
“What? Fuck no. You’re the only person I trust to help me get shit going without me having to be here. I’m promoting you. You get the big office now. Fuck that little one. You can get yourself a Sullivan 2.0. and stick him in there. Or her. Whoever you find worthy.”
“You’re promoting me?” he asks. His eyes fill with tears.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m just–yeah,” he opens the box, empties some of the candy onto his hand, and tosses them into his mouth as if they were aspirin or something more fun. “Why me?” “Sullivan, you’ve been the only constant here. You’ve worked here for almost fifteen years. You clawed your way up from an internship and always look great even when you’re dying inside. If you want the job, it’s yours.”
“Fuck yes, I want the job. It’s been my dream since I was eight,” he laughs.
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“It should have been you from the start, anyway. If I may make a suggestion,” I go
through the resumes in my portfolio and take one to hand him. “I had plans for her, but my idiot father–in–law got in my head, and I hate to admit that he’s right, but this is Tessa Blake’s resume.
“She’s getting a fresh start, finally breaking away from her toxic pack bullshit, and I think you can teach her a thing or two about taking charge and working on herself rather than letting everyone push her around. I was going to put her in the influencing department, but I just spoke to some of the girls and they’re fucking vicious,”
“No, yeah, they are. The more popular they are, the scarier they become,” he laughs.” Thank you so much for this opportunity.” He lets out a sigh of relief. Maybe we can get this back to the respectable branch it had once been.”
“Okay, I’ll have the paperwork drawn up. Expect a call and maybe even a visit from Cev and his new assistant, Ramona Vivaldi.”
“You have sweet little Cevin running around with Rogue royalty?” he grins.
“Yeah, he’s a rogue as well. He and his mate are part of our census.” I confirm.
“Okay, well, you’ll have to crack down on rogue rules around her. Pack wolves aren’t that friendly. I know the guys in my pack aren’t too happy about you becoming a rogue.”
“That’s their problem. They work for me and they’re going to have to suck it up if they want to keep it that way. I think we should be okay. Do you still have those plans? How much of them did you get finished?”
“Not enough. With this and the transfer, I should have my work cut out for me for a bit.”
“Well, first thing is get this porn shit off the walls,”
“You got it. How long are you going to be here for?”
“We have a problem, your majesty,” Mr. Knightly says, knocking on the door to get our
attention.
“What now?”
“The twins got in a fight at school,” he grins.
“Okay, I am heading home now. If you need me for anything, this is my number. The one on the back is Cev’s.” I hand him a business card.
“Did you just magic–trick me a business card?” he laughs, taking it out of my hand.
“Yes, I did.” I laugh. “I’ll see you around, Mr. Big Office.”
“Thanks. I’ll give Dev a call,” he turns around and lets out a heavy sigh of relief.
“What did they do?” I ask, rushing past Mr. Knightly.
“Nothing that didn’t merit what they did,” he says, hitting the L button in the elevator.
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“They were just talking about them joining the resident program.”
“Absolutely not,” he growls. “They’ll kill someone if they don’t get away from those fucking pack wolves. Please tell me you’re not considering it.”
“Not even a little, and they have to be at least eight. You were there.”
“I was shifting back. I wasn’t paying attention. I would have had words with the two of them.”
It’s easier to get back to his jet when we head back. I was hoping to be able to go back to the house today, but I guess it’s going to have to wait.
“Is it bad?” I ask him.
“Malcolm said Aizen is a little banged up.” he shakes his head.
“What happened?”
“You know, when Nathan was their age, I couldn’t understand why he never got along with anyone. He had everything the pack included. Statistically, he should have put together a small group of friends. It wasn’t exactly due to a lack of effort on their behalf. He was more family–oriented. The first Blake girl was his first real sibling bond.”
“What about Ash?”
“Ash was never one to be around him. He scared her, especially after his training. It was like they knew they would grow up to be rivals,”
“That’s insane. They don’t act that way
MO
I thought they seemed quite close,”
“Yes, well, Ashley understands her place now. Growing up, she always challenged everything he said and did. It’s always the case with Alpha–females. It’s an instinct to dominate. I always encouraged it because I knew she’d be great on her own, away from him.”
“Thank you for helping me today. You’ve been most helpful.”
“You’re welcome, but I’m not exactly doing this for you. Working together was beneficial. There is a reason why I needed you to acquire Royal Threads for us.” His eyes meet mine, challenging.
I laugh because I was warned about this part by a whole lot of people.
