Page 94 of Bossy Wicked Prince

“That’s enough,” I snap. “Whether my employee is on birth control is none of your business.”

I recall with vivid clarity, coming inside of my kitten not so long ago and make a mental note to broach the delicate subject of birth control with her. Not for my own interests, but for hers. When she told me to come inside of her, I’d never been more turned on by the idea that I could put a baby in a woman. That I could make life with someone who’s pure sunshine. That I could tie myself to her so thoroughly that the knots would never come undone.

Eleanor huffs.

“Mom, I’m done listening to you about this.”

Of course, she ignores that, her eyes glowing with fury. “Have you even looked into her? Did you know her father is a felon and an addict? He served three years for armed robbery. Is that really the kind of person you want to have legal access to our family?”

“You had no right to violate her privacy like that. She’s entitled to her privacy, and you will respect that!” Granted, that’s a bit hypocritical, coming from me. Watching Cat through the street cameras, buying her building, that’s not exactly respecting her privacy. But I had good intentions, and Mom definitely doesn’t.

“That girl gave up her privacy when she got involved with you,” she says. “We’re an important family, and anyone connected to us will attract scrutiny. I’ll do whatever I need to do to protect UPS, Nathaniel.”

I almost laugh. Of course, that’s the bottom line here. Can’t let UPS be put in jeopardy. Mom wouldn’t care if the thing at stake here was my heart.

“It’s time for you to leave,” I say, standing and gesturing to the door.

“I’ll leave when I’m done speaking to you!” she practically screeches.

“Don’t make me call security. I wouldn’t want to embarrass our family by causing a scene.”

She gapes at me, then sniffs imperiously. “You’ll be hearing from the board if you’re not careful.”

“That’s my problem. I’ll deal with it when the time comes. Goodbye, Mother.”

Her icy eyes scan my face, looking for weakness. She doesn’t find any. When she finally understands that I won’t bend to her will on this, she lets out a long-suffering sigh. She stands, looking away and picking up her Celine bag.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” she snips, sweeping out of my office without another word. Once she’s gone, I slump in my chair and rub my temples. My patience was already thin enough after watching that asshole Harry try to assault Cat.

I check my phone, hoping for a message from her. She hasn’t sent me anything yet, which I hope means that she’s sleeping in. I do have a private message from Beau, though.

Beau

James filled us in about everything. I’m so sorry about Harry. You were right—I should be looking more carefully into everyone I hire. I’ll apologize to Cat personally during her next shift.

At least my friends are showing Cat the respect she deserves—the respect she’ll never get from Mom. They can see how worthy she is, how sweet, generous, warm, andaliveshe is. Nobody’s ever made me feel light and carefree like her. The fact that I’m dying to leave work and go see her—I’ve never felt like that before.

I’m tired of trying to stay away from Cat. From now on, I’m spending as much time with her as I fucking want, and I’m going to spoil her the way she deserves. I grab my phone and call Susie, my office manager. She picks up on the first ring.

“Good morning, Nate,” she says warmly. She worked for Dad for decades and is probably the only person at UPS who still remembers me as a child. I trust her more than any other employee.

“Miss Daniels is out today,” I tell her. “Have some nice macarons and a bottle of champagne sent over to her apartment.”

“Of course. And maybe you’d like to send some champagne glasses, too? I’m not sure she has any.”

I grunt in approval. It’s a good idea, and I make a mental note to increase Susie’s bonus. “Could you get them in pink?”

There’s a muffled laugh on the other end of the line, and I can hear the humor in Susie’s voice when she says, “I think that can be arranged.”

30

CAT

Yellow leaves rustle in the breeze overhead. It’s a crisp, beautiful fall day, and luckily my light jacket is just the right temperature. I’ve got a day off from the shelter, since a big group of Girl Guides volunteered to serve lunch. I’m walking to meet Pippa for lunch at the Copper Cup, and normally, I’d be thrilled.

Now, I can’t stop looking over my shoulder.

I told Nate I didn’t want to press charges against Harry, and I meant it. No matter what he did to me, I don’t want to feel like I’ve ruined someone’s life. Besides Nate had UPS look into Harry’s location, and we know he went to stay with his brother in Winnipeg. He’s not even here to follow me.