Page 6

6

NAT’S FIRST DAY

Nat wasn’t sure what god he had accidentally pleased, but he got the job.

Killian and Walren cheered and hugged him. Uriel, Pinks and Ivo came back to the apartment safehouse so they could all celebrate—Uriel was a mage who lived alone with his baby, while Pinks and Ivo—the wolf and mink in Nat’s photo—had moved out to live with their alpha mates.

The thing was, Nat still felt woefully unprepared for the job.

He stepped out of a cab the following Monday, diaper bag in hand, Wanda strapped to his chest.

Hubrie met him in the lobby and helped to carry Wanda’s things. “Morning! Are you excited for your first day?”

“Nervous, actually.” No one gave them a second look as they headed to the elevators; Nat’s discomfort eased slightly.

“Don’t worry, you’ll settle in and everything will be okay.”

Easy for Hubrie to say, when he knew he wasn’t going to mess up.

When they got to the twelfth floor, Nat realized that the lights were already on in Duke’s office.

“He arrives early,” Hubrie said, shaking his head. “You’ll get used to that, too. Now, let’s set down your things and head over to HR for your staff access pass.”

“What about Wanda?” Nat asked.

“Oh, bring her along. You’ll be fine.”

Wanda looked around with large, curious eyes. Nat hugged her for reassurance when they took the elevator down, right before they stepped into a normal-looking office.

The HR department had regular desks and cubicles, and printer sounds filled the place. As they moved down a larger aisle, people began cooing at Wanda. Nat waved awkwardly at them.

“We’re looking for Shelby,” Hubrie said to Nat in an undertone. “She has your things ready.”

They were almost at the other end of the office when they crashed into someone coming down the cross aisle.

“Hey, watch it!” the woman snapped. She was dressed well, with a flashy dress and earrings, and bright red lipstick. She saw Hubrie and straightened, pasting a smile on her face. “Hi, Hubrie. Sorry about that. Who is this?”

“This is Nat. Mr. Brimstone’s new assistant,” Hubrie said easily. “Nat, this is Kylie, HR assistant.”

Almost immediately, Kylie’s smile froze. “But you’re Mr. Brimstone’s assistant. No one told me he was looking to fill your position!”

“Ah,” Hubrie said. Nat didn’t miss the sudden coolness in his eyes. “Mr. B happened to need a change. I don’t have a problem with it.”

“But— Why didn’t he open the position to existing staff?”

“He was looking for fresh blood.”

Kylie flicked her eyes up and down Nat’s body, her lip curling.

Under that stare, Nat felt... like less. Less deserving, less attractive.

“He should dress better, if he’s representing the CEO,” Kylie said flatly.

Nat flinched. His work clothes had come from a thrift store near the apartment. His friends had chipped in to help buy them; like Nat, they had spent most of their allowances on things for their babies.

So the clothes didn’t fit right, but they were all Nat had.

“I’ll leave it up to Mr. B to make staffing decisions,” Hubrie said breezily. He grasped Nat’s elbow and tugged him away. “See you around, Kylie.”

Nat hurried to match Hubrie’s pace.

“Don’t put any weight in that,” Hubrie muttered when they were further away. “You’re a better fit for the position.”

“Okay,” Nat said uncertainly.

Shelby, on the other hand, was happy to see him.

“You were a surprise, but I’m glad Mr. B is getting more help,” she said brightly. “Here are your keys, and also your staff pass. Tell us if you need more accommodations for Wanda—a list of examples can be found in the document we emailed you last week.”

“Thanks,” Nat said, relieved.

“Most people around here are good eggs,” Hubrie said as they left, linking his arm with Nat’s. “If Kylie gives you trouble, tell me or Hell Master.”

“Okay,” Nat said.

After a short trip to IT, they were back on Duke’s floor, at Nat’s huge new desk.

“It’s so big,” Nat blurted. Then he realized what he’d just said. “Crap. Pretend I said something else.”

Hubrie snickered. “Feel free to tell Hell Master that.”

Heat crept up Nat’s cheeks. Hubrie grinned and helped with the rest of Nat’s laptop and phone setup. He ducked into Duke’s office for a bit, too. Then he stepped out and showed Nat how to use the scheduling app on his work-issued phone.

When Duke’s calendar appeared on his screen, he blinked several times. Several colorful appointments had been crammed into Duke’s week. There were slots going all the way to 1AM, and some days began as early as 4AM. “That... That’s his schedule?”

Hubrie smirked. “Yup. Don’t worry, we don’t expect you to keep those hours. Just make sure everything runs smoothly.”

He set Nat up with some reading material and easy tasks. Then he waved and left.

It was suddenly quiet in the office, without Hubrie around.

Nat looked down at Wanda, who was grabbing the papers on his desk so she could fling them around.

“Wanda!” Nat yelped.

The office door opened. Duke stepped out—he was wearing a different suit today, a beautiful navy outfit that hugged his body perfectly.

Nat’s heart thumped. He shot to his feet and hurriedly freed the papers from Wanda’s hands. “Um, hi.”

Then he winced. No one greeted their boss like that!

“Do you want me to call you Hell Master, too?” Nat added.

Duke snorted. “I wish Hubrie would stop calling me that, but we’ve known each other long enough that he doesn’t care.”

“Oh.”

“Did Hubrie give you all the information you need?”

“He gave me some tasks to work on.” Nat waved his phone with its screen still lit up. “I’m going to learn all of this.”

“Good.” Duke smiled. His gaze dipped briefly to Wanda and returned to Nat. “Is everything okay with—Wanda? Did I remember her name right?”

Nat stared at Duke in disbelief. He remembered her name.

Wanda stuck her fist into her mouth and drooled.

“Um, yeah. She’s—She’s very curious. She’s never been in an office before. And—crap. I shouldn’t let her distract me.”

He went to grab her collapsible playpen, except it was still folded and unusable like that. Nat flipped the thing around, then fumbled more because it was difficult to hold something big with so few fingers.

“Mind if I help?” Duke reached out.

“Thanks.” Nat breathed a sigh of relief, and again when Duke set up the playpen next to his desk. He unbuckled Wanda from her chest carrier and set her in the playpen with a few of her toys, then turned back to Duke. “Actually, I have a couple of questions.”

“Shoot.”

“You have a lot of appointments away from your office, like at the fire station and the shelter. Do I have to be there with you?”

Duke thought for a bit. “Not at the moment. But I may ask you to come along to the shelter.”

“Okay. It says here that you’re fostering two children. Have you been doing that for a while?”

“A few years.” Duke’s expression softened. “Mallie’s ten, Teddy’s eight. They’ve had a rough life. They’re doing better now, I think.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Nat thought there might’ve been two children in Duke’s desk photo, but he would have to see it again to be sure.

He unstrapped the baby carrier from his body. Then he looked down at his shapeless clothes, and remembered Kylie’s words back at HR.

His short-sleeved shirt fitted him terribly, he knew. His pants flapped around his legs. But he didn’t have time to go to a different thrift store, so his choices had been severely limited.

Nat squirmed and looked up, only to find Duke watching him.

“Problem?” Duke asked.

“I—I feel like I should dress better,” Nat said. “But it wasn’t specified in the welcome packet what exactly I should wear. I... don’t have the money to buy something new until I get my paycheck.”

Duke raised his eyebrows. He let his gaze coast down Nat’s body, sending a tingle of remembered pleasure down Nat’s spine. “I could take you out for some clothes. My 11AM is available.”

Nat checked the schedule and spluttered. “But that’s your lunch hour!”

Except Duke shrugged like it was no big deal. “We’ll get something on the way. It’ll be fine.”

“How are you going to eat if we’re busy with the clothes?”

Duke laughed. “Leave that to me, Nat.”

“But I’m your personal assistant!”

Duke’s gaze darkened. “And it’s your first day. Take things easy for a bit.”

Nat frowned and nodded. He glanced at Wanda; she was flinging little stuffed giraffes at the playpen walls. “Wanda can come along too, right?”

“Of course.” Duke smiled when Wanda stuffed a giraffe’s head into her mouth. “What species is she?”

Nat hesitated. The fact that Wanda was a cross between two species meant that kidnappers would target her again if they knew.

And Duke should’ve known that about Wanda, because he was part of the team that had rescued them.

Except there wasn’t any recognition in his eyes.

If he knew that Nat and Wanda might get kidnapped again... Would he think that was too much potential for disruption, and fire Nat?

“She’s a raccoon shifter,” Nat said.

“I’ll bet she’s adorable.” Duke’s smile grew warm.

Despite all his misgivings, Nat imagined what it would feel like, having Duke’s babies.

He’s my boss, it’s not going to happen.

Out loud, he said, “Thanks. She’s amazing.”

Duke smiled again. “Well, it’s good that you’re settling in. I’ll call you when I need something.”

He rapped his knuckles lightly on Nat’s desk, and disappeared back into his office.

Nat gave himself five seconds to imagine Duke pinning him down, stuffing him full. Breeding him.

Then he shook it off and began to learn everything he could.

* * *

An hour later, a message popped up in the corner of his laptop screen.

Duke B.: Pick something for your lunch.

Duke B.: [link]

Nat had completed more tasks by this point. He’d answered a few calls and sent a few emails, too, with feedback from Hubrie, so he opened the link.

It was a cafe menu, and everything on there looked delicious.

And expensive.

Nat had a few granola bars tucked away for his lunch. This morning’s cab fare was high—but he’d gone with it because it was the fastest way between work and home, with the lowest risk of anyone seeing Wanda. Not that he could leave the building for lunch, either—he was already taking time off for Wanda’s feedings and diaper changes.

So this menu... it was a really nice surprise.

Nat W.: Can I have the smoked salmon bagel?

Duke’s reply came a few minutes later.

Duke B.: That’s a pretty small sandwich. Do you think it’ll be enough?

Nat W.: I’m not sure how much I’m allowed to eat?

Nat W.: Uh, sorry. That sounded weird!

Nat W.: I mean, will 2 bagels be okay?

Duke B.: I don’t wish to starve you. If you need 5, that’s how many you’ll get.

Nat W.: No, no, that’s too much. Um, 2 smoked salmon bagels and a peanut butter cookie?

Duke B.: Drinks?

Nat W.: Oh, um. Orange juice?

Duke B.: I’ve placed the order. Be ready to leave in 5.

Nat stared at the screen. He didn’t think CEOs even ordered their own food. Then he shook himself, because—clothes buying.

He scrambled to get ready. He checked Wanda to see if she needed a diaper change, then checked his inbox for any urgent emails. He told Hubrie about the clothes and lunch.

“Ah.” Hubrie smiled widely. “Go on, go have a good lunch with Hell Master. I’m fine with taking over.”

“Thanks,” Nat said, profusely grateful.

It was when four minutes had passed, and he’d gotten Wanda strapped into her portable car seat, that he heard heavy footsteps in Duke’s office.

He straightened in anticipation, Wanda’s car seat bumping against his legs.

The door opened.

Wanda’s eyes began to glow white.