Page 137

“You’re right. I just really liked this job,” she says.

I watch as she sends the piece she’s writing to her email and then deletes it. Nina then systematically begins to deleteeverything that she’s written for the paper off the computer after sending herself everything first.

“I’m fired,” she says, smirking as I chuckle. “They don’t need any of my work anymore. This will include the piece I’m working on as well as anything else that I was playing with in the background. Fuck them.”

“That’s exactly right,” I murmur, watching as she grabs her oversized bag and throws in her phone and a photo or two from her desk. For someone who’s been here for months, Nina doesn’t keep very much personal shit at her cubicle.

An idea starts to form in my head as she stands and pulls her bag over her arm. Since the laptop belongs to the newspaper, everything else will stay right where it is now. Taking her hand and looping it over my arm, I lead her out of the cubicle.

Nina chin held high, not a hint of the only tear she allowed herself to fall in evidence of how upset she is, she walks across the long room with me. An alpha with cold blue eyes watches us, and I realize that this must be Martin.

Vivian seemed to like men in power with money, though Martin just looks like an ass.

“I’m doing you a favor, Nina,” he says. “An omega like you shouldn’t be working at a newspaper.”

“You’re right,” I bite out. Nina doesn’t flinch beside me, completely trusting that I’m a better alpha than Martin. “I think she should own one. See you around, Martin.”

“Wait, what?” he asks. “She doesn’t have the kind of money for that!”

“My money lies with Pack Thornefield,” Nina says in an airy tone. “If I want a newspaper, then that’s what I’ll have.”

Fuck yes you will.

The two of us get onto the elevator and I stab the button, hoping we won’t have to stop.

“Stand tall, Little Queen,” I murmur as she begins to sag against me. “Assholes like that probably watch the elevator videos.”

Taking a breath, she nods as she steals her spine.

“We just talked a whole lot of shit just now,” she mutters.

“It’s not shit if it’s true,” I say. “I still have a lot of time on my hands, and an online newspaper would do very well in Savannah.”

“You’re serious,” she breathes as we arrive at the garage.

“Fuck yes I am,” I say as we walk to the car. “You should be able to work in your house instead of an office, and regularly eat instead of skipping meals. Can I take you out for tacos to celebrate our new partnership?”

Nina’s laugh tinkles over me as she nods. “You and Riley claim Cooper is over the top,” she says as I help her into the Jeep. “I’m pretty sure a company is right up there.”

“How else is a queen to rule?” I ask, shrugging. “A more liberal approach to news is needed. It’ll also give you more time to write the book you’ve been working on.”

“I haven’t had time to write much,” she admits as I close the door.

Well, now she will.

Thirty

Nina

My sneakers hit the pavement as I jog with Cassidy and the morning running crew through a wooded trail. I didn’t want to come, but Cassidy showed up at the house and dragged me out of my nest.

“Martin is a sleaze,” she says. I just finished telling them all about what happened yesterday. My mind is still reeling after it all.

“He seriously is,” I huff out. Speaking is getting a little harder to do. “Where are your omegas?”

Pack Tremaine scent matched to two omegas, and while they’re both shy, I can tell they probably keep Cassidy and the guys busy.

“They looked so cute curled up in their nest, I didn’t want to wake them up,” Cassidy smirks. “Besides, they don’t like when I’m mean and bully you into doing shit you don’t want to do.”