Page 5 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Maid (My Grumpy Werewolf Boss #6)

NINA

As I wiped the last window, I caught my reflection in the gleaming surface, my hair was neatly pulled back, and I was wearing my usual uniform, a gray T-shirt and comfortable jeans. It had been one week since I started working here and not only had I not broken anything yet, but I still hadn't run out of the building crying. I allowed myself a small smile.

After my latest overture with coffee and another handwritten note, Dean had finally granted me access to his office. I felt a small surge of victory when I found his own note in the kitchen this morning, requesting that I tidy up his private domain. Progress with Dean Nightfang was measured in microscopic steps, but I'd learned to celebrate even the smallest wins.

I hummed under my breath as I navigated the controlled chaos of Dean's desk. Mysterious gadgets blinked and whirred at me, their purposes as enigmatic as their owner. A sleek silver device pulsed with blue light when my feather duster came near it.

"Careful with that one," Jenkins warned. "It's sensitive to static electricity. Mr. Nightfang spent three days recalibrating it last time someone disturbed it."

I pulled back quickly. "Thanks for the heads up. Any other temperamental tech I should know about?"

"You missed a spot," Jenkins claimed, his artificial voice tinged with what I swore was amusement.

I rolled my eyes, warmth spreading through my chest at our familiar banter. "You know perfectly well I didn't, Jenkins."

"Perhaps. But watching you double-check is oddly satisfying." There was almost a fondness in his tone that made me smile.

As I moved a strange-looking device, something caught my eye. There was a small symbol etched into its base, like a stylized wolf's head. A shiver ran down my spine, though I couldn't say why. Before I could examine it closer, the elevator dinged.

I turned, expecting Dean's familiar brooding presence, but instead found myself face-to-face with a stranger who had the same strong jaw and tall frame. He had Dean's eyes, but they were dark as the midnight sky instead of light. This person had to be related to Dean. Where Dean radiated controlled power, this man's energy was wild, dangerous. His smile was too sharp, too practiced, like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Well, well," he drawled, stalking forward with fluid grace. "What do we have here?"

The hair on the back of my neck stood up, but I forced myself to stand tall. "I'm Nina Sorenson, Mr. Nightfang's housekeeper. And you are?"

"Rafe Nightfang." His grin widened as he circled me, close enough that I caught the scent of expensive cologne tinged with something bitter. "Dean's baby brother. Though he probably hasn't mentioned me."

My heart pounded against my ribs, but I kept my voice steady. "No, he hasn't."

"That's my brother for you. Always so secretive." Rafe leaned against Dean's desk, invading my space with casual menace. "Tell me, Nina, has my dear brother been treating you well?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop as Dean's voice cut through the air like a knife. "What are you doing here, Rafe?"

Dean stood in the doorway. His black T-shirt was slightly rumpled as usual, but his expression was thunderous. Something shifted in the atmosphere, and the animosity between the two brothers made my skin prickle with goosebumps.

"Can't a brother drop by for a friendly visit?" Rafe's smile didn't reach his eyes, which glittered with dangerous intent.

"Nothing about you is friendly." Dean moved closer, positioning himself between me and Rafe. The protective gesture made my breath catch.

"Now, now. Is that any way to treat family?" Rafe's gaze raked over me like a physical touch, making my skin crawl beneath my clothes. His smile widened, showing too many teeth. His nostrils flared as if he was scenting the air.

"Especially, in front of such charming company. Tell me, Nina, has my brother mentioned anything about our family traits?" he purred, taking a deliberate step closer.

A low sound rumbled through the room, not quite a growl, but something wild and dangerous. It took me a moment to realize it had come from Dean.

"You always did have an interesting taste in employees, brother." Rafe's words dripped with double meaning. "This one smells like sunshine." He inhaled deeply, making me step back. "And determination. No wonder you're keeping her close."

"That's enough." Dean's voice had dropped an octave, resonating in the room like distant thunder.

My heart pounded against my ribs. There was something happening here, something beyond normal sibling rivalry. The way they moved, the strange intensity in their eyes, the almost animal grace of their confrontation. It all added up to something I couldn't quite grasp.

Dean's entire body went rigid beside me, the muscles in his jaw working as he clenched his teeth. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees, and the hair on my arms stood up in response to the crackling tension. His fingers twitched at his sides, and for a moment, I could have sworn his eyes flickered with an otherworldly gleam.

"Nina." His voice was velvet over steel, softer than I'd expected but vibrating with barely contained fury. "Please give us a moment."

The plea in those four words didn't match his commanding tone, and something in my chest tightened at the contrast. I'd never heard him say please before. Whatever was happening between these brothers, it was serious enough to crack Dean's usually impenetrable control.

"Of course." I turned to leave, but Rafe caught my wrist, his grip firm enough to make me wince.

"Don't rush off on my account, sweetheart."

Dean's growl filled the room. "Let. Her. Go."

The sound sent shivers down my spine, not entirely from fear. Rafe released me, holding up his hands in mock surrender, but his eyes promised trouble.

I stumbled into the kitchen, my steps faltering unevenly as I sought refuge among the gleaming appliances and familiar scents of lemon cleaner and coffee. My hands trembled so badly I had to grip the edge of the countertop, its cool surface anchoring me to reality.

Through the walls came the rise and fall of their voices. Dean's was low and dangerous, Rafe's taunting and sharp. I leaned against the cool stainless steel of the refrigerator, straining to make out the words.

"Mother expects—" Rafe's voice rose briefly.

"I don't care what she expects!" Dean's response was a booming shout that made me jump.

"The family business isn't something you can just walk away from, brother." Rafe's tone dripped with menace. "You know what happens to people who try."

My stomach churned at the implications. What kind of family business involved threats like that?

"Ms. Sorenson?" Jenkins' voice was unusually gentle. "Perhaps you should take an early lunch?"

I shook my head, fighting to steady my nerves. "I'm fine."

"Your elevated heart rate suggests otherwise." The AI's concern was oddly touching.

Before I could respond, Rafe appeared in the kitchen doorway, his presence filling the space with subtle menace. "We haven't even discussed Mother's offer. Be careful with this one, sweetheart." Rafe's eyes glittered with dark knowledge. "He's not what he seems."

"That's enough!" Dean grabbed Rafe's arm, but his brother shrugged him off with practiced ease.

The elevator doors closed behind him, leaving a heavy silence. Dean stood rigid, his hands clenched into fists, raw tension radiating from his powerful frame.

"Are you alright?" he asked, not looking at me.

"I'm fine." I drew in a shaky breath. "Dean, what was that about? What did he mean?"

"Don't." His voice was rough with emotion. "Just... stay away from him. Please."

"But—"

"Nina." He finally met my eyes, and something in his expression made my heart stutter. "Promise me."

I nodded slowly, unable to look away from the intensity in his gaze. "I promise."

He left without another word, leaving me with more questions than answers. The kitchen felt too quiet, too empty in his wake.

"Jenkins?"

"Yes, Ms. Sorenson?"

"What do you know about the Nightfang family?"

The AI was silent for a long moment. "I am programmed to protect Mr. Nightfang's privacy. However..." He paused meaningfully. "I would advise caution."

I sank into a chair, my mind racing. My fingers shook as I pulled out my phone, muscle memory finding Maggie's number. The line rang twice before my sister's warm voice filled my ear.

"Maggie? You got a minute?" I tried to keep my voice steady, but the slight tremor gave me away.

"Nina?" All traces of her usual teasing disappeared. "What's wrong? You sound shaken. Is it that boss of yours? Did he do something?"

"No, no, it's not Dean." I sank into one of the kitchen chairs, twisting a loose thread on my uniform skirt. "It's his brother. He showed up today." I swallowed hard. "Remember how you always say you can tell when someone's dangerous, like that sixth sense you got after what happened with Travis?"

"Yeah?" Her voice sharpened with concern.

"Well, Rafe Nightfang? He set off every alarm bell I have." The words tumbled out as I described the encounter, everything from the predatory way he'd moved, Dean's explosive reaction, the cryptic warnings about family business. I hesitated. "And when Dean stepped between us, Maggie, he was different. Almost inhuman."

"Different how?"

I struggled to find the words. "Like he was barely containing something inside him. Something powerful." The memory sent a shiver down my spine.

"Nina." Maggie's mom-voice came out, the one she usually reserved for when Max was about to do something dangerous. "I know that tone. You're intrigued instead of scared, aren't you?" She paused. "Trust your instincts," she said finally. "But be careful, okay? Sometimes the things we don't know about people can hurt us the most. You learned that the hard way with Travis."

"I know." I looked around the kitchen, at the space I'd worked so hard to organize and make my own mark. "But I can't just walk away."

"Because of the job?"

I thought of Dean's almost-smile, of the way he'd positioned himself between me and his brother, of the raw concern in his eyes when he'd asked me to stay away from Rafe.

"No," I admitted softly. "Not just because of the job."

After hanging up, I stood and straightened my shoulders. Whatever secrets Dean was keeping, whatever darkness lurked in his past, I wasn't giving up. Not yet.

Jenkins hummed to life. "Ms. Sorenson? The office needs attention."

I smiled, grateful for the normalcy. "On it."

I attacked the office with my dusting cloth, trying to lose myself in the familiar routine. The leather-bound books, the sleek monitors, the strange devices that hummed with mysterious purpose. Everything in this room spoke of Dean's brilliant, ordered mind. But now, after Rafe's visit, I saw the hidden edges. The way certain drawers were reinforced. The subtle security cameras in the corners of the room. The strange symbols that kept appearing in unexpected places.

"Jenkins?" I paused, holding up an ornate paperweight with another wolf design. "These wolves, they're everywhere. Are they some kind of family crest?"

"I am not at liberty to discuss Mr. Nightfang's personal matters." The AI's response was oddly evasive.

"Right." I set down the paperweight, noting how its eyes seemed to catch the light. "But they mean something, don't they? Just like Rafe's visit meant something."

Dean's secrets wouldn't stay buried forever. And I wanted to be here when they emerged.

I wasn't sure any of us were ready for what that meant.