a P

sleep t

chest. Every time a car passed outside, my heart jumped. I kept thinking about that photo. About

, I almost cal

nd the last thing he needed was me crying on his private line. I

ek cra

ase. I love you. Then, by Thursday: You're g

f at the new Alpha in the elevator. By Wednesday, half the office was looki

he trash and

h with Maggie. He was crossing the lobby with a crowd of executive

looked

d. Just a small

no

und in a panic to see if anyone had noticed, Maggie

. "He nodded

ck card in my poc

silence. A man that busy probably had a dozen backup plans, and I was just one of them

a little, and th

day after work.

ut of his office. "Acquisitions. Everyone. Up t

n rounds. I lined up with the others

had more people

uit. But on the leather sofa by th

d him had the same pressure Lucian's did, only older and heavier, like stone. Walter Sh

and Walter's chin, but his eyes were small and sharp, and

ng about the Shaw family

an S

from my face so

w his tie nearly brushed the carpet. "

waved a hand. "Just passi

uced themselves. Name, role, years with the company

urse I was last.

uisitions analys

acked on th

at was when Julian Shaw turned h

to my face, slowly. He til

en he

een. Pleased. Hungry. The smile of

ar. He turned to Lucian. "Isn't this the little wolfless thing

went de

turned towa