Page 25 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

I wished I could be there to hear Loki’s conversation with Iceman.

I felt sorry for his club brother. To have that happen and then be faced with your mom’s killer trying to insinuate himself into your life would be unbearable.

Add to that the fact that the man was his father.

Knowing what I did about bikers and the Warriors and Pagans as I did, I was amazed Iceman hadn’t killed him.

I didn’t advocate unchecked vigilantism, but the type that the Pagans and their friends did, I understood and supported.

Nelson Newman was a prime candidate to disappear and suffer before he went.

We arrived at Eli’s door, which was closed. Before knocking, Loki ensured we were alone and then kissed me quickly. I’d told him that I didn’t want blatant PDA at work. I had to maintain a professional appearance. He agreed, but he still stole kisses when he could. I didn’t mind.

We’d barely parted our lips when Eli’s door came swinging open. There stood Hendrix, and not far behind him was Eli. Based on my boss’s expression, I felt he had somehow seen the kiss, although there was no way he could. There was no window or peephole in his door.

“Good, you’re here,” Eli said, coming closer to me. Hendrix had stepped back.

Eli then looked at Loki and said with a bite to his tone, “You can leave. This meeting is business.”

“Yes, I’m aware. Brae, when you’re done, just text me. Don’t leave the office until I come to get you. You know what to do if you need me at any time.”

“Why would she need you in the middle of our meeting? And it’s ridiculous to have her text you. Hendrix will ensure her safety, though I doubt it’s needed here,” Eli told him sarcastically.

“See, that thinking is why you don’t do security.

You always expect something to happen, no matter the surroundings.

I protect her from any threats, no matter what kind they are,” Loki said, letting his veiled menace become slightly less veiled.

I had to separate these two before there was a fight.

As always, Hendrix stood there, a mute, blank, towering tree.

“Okay, enough debating. We have work to do, and you have a call to make. Tell Iceman I said hello to him and the family. I’ll let you know when I’m done.”

Loki’s frown turned to a sweet one as he looked at me.

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it before he turned and walked away.

As soon as he did, Eli ordered Hendrix out.

It was mere moments before we were alone, and the door shut.

I went toward my usual spot when I met with him, a chair to the left of his desk.

“Don’t sit there. Come over here. It’s more comfortable. We can relax better,” Eli said, surprising me.

The “here” spot was the uber-comfortable leather chairs in his office’s conversation area. It was way nicer than the one I had. He usually met with officials and his bosses there.

“Uhm, okay,” I said, changing course.

I sat down. I’d brought my tablet to take notes directly into my electronic files.

It saved me time transcribing things later.

I always wanted to be sure I didn’t forget or miss details, so I took extensive notes I could refer back to later.

I thought Eli would sit in the other chair across the small coffee table from me so we could face each other.

Instead, he took the one to my right. I noted when he did, it wasn’t in its usual position.

It was slid over closer to mine. Did he do that in advance, or was it a coincidence?

Shit, now Loki had me suspicious of everything my boss did.

“I know you’re busy, and so am I. What’s the new case we need to talk about? Your message said it was a new project.” I started it off as I tapped on my tablet.

I was always eager to work and ultimately find ways to help people who deserved it. My stomach quivered with anticipation.

“You won’t need your tablet, Braelyn,” he replied.

“I always take notes so I don’t forget anything important, Eli. You know that.”

“I doubt you’ll forget this. Let me start by saying I’m sorry. I lied.”

“Lied?”

“When I told you we had a new case, I only said it so I could meet with you alone.”

“Why would you do that, Eli?” I asked, though I knew why. God, why did he have to do this?

“Because I need you to get rid of your boyfriend. And I don’t mean just as a bodyguard.

He’s not the man for you. He’s not in your league.

I’m not sure what got the two of you together, but you can do so much better than him.

There’s something about him I don’t trust. He’s dangerous, Braelyn.

I don’t want you to get hurt, and he’s the kind who will do that. ”

I wanted to yell at him and say he had no clue who Loki was. Loki was a better man than most men, in my opinion. Instead, I prompted him to continue. I’d handle him like Loki did Nelson Newman. Play along to see what he said.

“What do you mean by hurt me? You think he’d hit me?”

“Yes, but not just physically hurt. You’re a successful woman. He would use you for your money. And then there’s the emotional pain.” He paused.

“Emotional pain like?”

“Like the fact that a man like him would never remain faithful, Brae. He’ll cheat and do it over and over.

You deserve a man who loves you and will keep you in comfort, give you the moon, and with whom you can have children.

Believe me, that man isn’t father material.

Could you imagine taking him to a charity dinner and introducing him to colleagues, friends, and clients?

He’d be lost and an embarrassment. Tell him he’s fired and you no longer want him in your life.

I’ll have a bodyguard here to replace him by the end of the day.

Until then, Hendrix can watch over us both.

As for outside work, I have the solution to keeping you protected. ”

As Eli eagerly told me his thoughts on Loki, my fury increased. I fought to stay in control. It was hard, but I did it. I needed him to finish. He would be in for a surprise when he did.

“What is the solution other than having someone stay with me like Loki?”

“You move into my home. The entire thing is enclosed in a wall. I have cameras and alarms. If anyone tries to come in, we’d know.

The house is very secure. In addition, if someone did get inside, Hendrix would be in the house, and I have a panic room off my bedroom.

You’d be far safer there than at home with him.

He’s one man. I have layers and people I can call.

Believe me, if the DA calls 911, the police will dispatch SWAT in seconds. ” He sounded conceited as he bragged.

I tried to word my reply politely. I was hanging on to the edge of my temper by my fingertips.

“Eli, I appreciate you offering to let me invade your home, but it’s not necessary, nor is it appropriate for me to stay with my boss.

It smacks of a relationship. We don’t want people to think that.

I don’t want it to ruin our professional images. ”

“It wouldn’t be an invasion, and if you accept my offer, no one would think anything of it.

Nowadays, it’s common for boyfriends and girlfriends to live together before they’re married.

I need you to accept what I’ve been asking for.

I don’t just want a date or two, Braelyn.

I want you, period. Become my woman and move in with me.

I can give you everything you want and protect you. ”

My stomach rolled as the fury crawled up the back of my throat.

I was about to vomit, but not the contents of my stomach.

No, it would be words, and they’d be ugly.

I tightened my hold on my tablet lying on my lap.

If Loki were here, he’d have Eli by the neck against the wall.

I wanted to see it, but I had to be professional.

“Eli, I’ve told you repeatedly, I don’t want to date you.

It’s a line I wouldn’t cross with my boss.

I’ve liked you as a friend, but there are no romantic feelings.

I can’t be with someone for whom I don’t have those.

While I appreciate the offer to live in your house, I can’t.

As for Loki and our relationship and me firing him, my answer is no.

In my personal life, who I date is none of your business.

Since this was a lie to get me here, and there is no real business to discuss, I’ll be going. Please don’t do this again.”

As I spoke, I tapped on my tablet. It was hooked up across my devices so that I could message Loki with it rather than my phone.

He would be coming as soon as he got it.

Once I finished, I stood to make my way to the door.

Eli jumped to his feet a few seconds later and came after me.

I was moving fast, so he didn’t get to me until I was almost at the door.

His hand on my arm stopped me from being able to touch the door handle.

I glared at him. “Eli, let go of my arm. I want to leave, and you’re preventing me. I told you this meeting is over,” I said forcefully.

“Braelyn, don’t leave. I know that if you give us a chance, I can make you have those romantic feelings for me.

And I know that sexually, we’ll be compatible.

I can give you so much. Don’t throw your life away on a man like Loki.

He’s a cretin.” His voice held a mixture of ego and anger.

I bet he’d never had a woman say no to him.

Eli was a good-looking, suave man, which many women found appealing. I happened not to be one.

“You are now detaining me against my will. If you don’t let go, I’ll scream,” I threatened loudly.

Before he could do it, I heard raised, though muffled, voices on the other side of the door, then a thump a second before the door flew open.

Luckily, I was far enough back not to be hit by it.

Standing there, with wrathfulness written on his face, was Loki.

His gaze scanned me first before his eyes landed on Eli.

“Take your hands off her,” he growled.

“You have no right to barge into my office. Leave. Where’s Hendrix?” Eli snapped, but I heard the quiver in his voice. He was afraid. Based on the look of satisfaction Loki flashed, he heard it too.

“I have every right when you’re clearly detaining my client.

As for Hendrix, he’s indisposed at the moment.

” Loki shifted his gaze, drawing attention behind and to the left of him.

I saw legs stretched out on the floor. Oh shit, this just got uglier.

Obviously, my man had knocked out Eli’s bodyguard.

“That’s it! I’m having you arrested for assault and trespassing,” Eli threatened. I noticed he let go of my arm.

“Braelyn, come here,” Loki demanded. I gladly moved over next to him. He moved to place me slightly behind him.

“If you call the police on Loki, I’ll have to file against you, Eli.

You detained me against my will, after luring me here under false pretenses.

Even if they didn’t detain you, the negative media attention would harm your image and re-election chances.

What woman would feel safe working with you? ” I said.

“Brae, that’s not what happened,” Eli said in shock.

“Perception is whatever people make it,” I shot back. He often quoted that to me.

“It’s your word against mine,” Eli said with a slight smirk.

“Actually, it’s not. I happened to record the entire conversation on my tablet. We’ll see what the police think,” I informed him.

His face flushed red. I heard movement behind us. Glancing back, I saw Hendrix moving, though his eyes were still closed.

“You can’t do that,” Eli hissed.

“Actually, I can. Georgia is a one-party consent state, remember? As long as one of the parties involved knows the conversation is being recorded, I can. And since I did the recording, it’s legal,” I told him sternly.

I was over his attitude. I’d been getting tired of his ongoing attempts to talk me into dating him, but his behavior since Loki came on the scene had shown me a side of Eli I didn’t like or trust. Until then, I would’ve said I trust him as a DA and lawyer.

As Eli stood there with his mouth open, Loki moved to keep a better eye on Hendrix while keeping Eli in his sight. I knew this could go wrong, so I headed it off.

“What’s it going to be, Eli? You make sure Hendrix keeps himself in line, and there’s no retaliation from him, you, or the cops over being decked when he undoubtedly tried to prevent my bodyguard from getting to me.

We continue to work as we have, completely as business associates, without jeopardizing my job.

Or I will see how others interpret this recording when I present it in our defense. ”

I knew I had him over the proverbial barrel.

One thing I knew about Eli Jenner was that his public image meant everything to him.

He would do everything in his power not to mar it.

I knew my time here would be limited if he agreed with me.

He’d be working to find a seemingly legitimate reason to fire me.

I’d have to find a new job and leave before he fired or blackballed me.

Was the recording a form of blackmail? In a way, yes, but that didn’t make it less damaging or untrue.

I didn’t know what prompted me to do it, except for a funny feeling after he told me to sit in the other chair.

A groan preceded Hendrix’s sitting up. He looked around, dazed.

He scowled and got to his feet when he spotted Loki and me.

Before he had a chance to step in our direction, Eli commanded him, “Hendrix, don’t.

It’s not worth it. Let them go. Braelyn, I hope you realize the mistake you just made. You should’ve taken my offer.”

“Eli, that offer was only happening in your dreams. I don’t want to hear you say a word about it again. I’ll get back to work. I suggest everyone does. Oh, and Eli, if you ever put a hand on me again, I’ll knock you on your ass. That’s a promise, not a threat.”

Without waiting to hear his reply, I walked away.

Loki was right next to me, though I noted he kept his body angled to see behind us.

He didn’t relax until we were back in my office with the door locked.

As I sank wearily into my chair, I knew I had some explaining to do about what had gone on in the meeting.