Page 12 of Pack Choice

I dart my gaze away. Damn Omega instincts that’s all, not liking another woman hitting on the alpha assigned to look after me.

Jeez, I need to get a handle on myself.

Which is easier said than done, especially when the two of us are confined together in a metal box in the next minute.

I close my eyes and breathe through my mouth, his scent growing stronger every second we’re in here together. He not only smells like baked bread, he tastes like it too. I can taste his scent on my tongue and those naughty insides flutter around like crazy. I stare down at my stomach. As soon as I get a chance, I’ll be giving them a stern talking to, otherwise we’re headed for a time-out.

“Are you afraid of heights?” Ford says, obviously noticing my anguished expression. He rests his hand comfortingly on the small of my back as he asks, and my insides swoop down towards the ground floor.

I flinch like he’s electrocuted me. “No, just nervous about the new job,” I lie, relieved when the doors ping open and I’m released.

Released into an office that blows my breath away. I’ve been to my brothers’ office dozens of times. It’s nicely furnished, classic looking. This office is on an entirely different level. Sleek, modern, designed to wow with bright bold colors everywhere I look.

“Did we step into a spaceship?” Ford mutters.

“I love it,” I whisper to him, ignoring his frown. “It’s amazing.”

I swing my gaze about looking for a hint of where to go next and spot Mack strolling along the corridor towards us.

He is a big bear of a man, with a full head of gray hair, a deep tan and pearly white teeth.

When he spots me, his eyes soften, and he smiles broadly, dragging me up into a huge and genuine hug.

“Little Molly Stormgate,” he says when he drops me back onto the floor, Ford bristling behind me. He lands his hands on my shoulders and examines my face. “Look at you, all grown up and, well, I know I’m not supposed to say these things these days, but stunningly beautiful. Just like your mother. Who was easily the most beautiful woman on the planet. Your dad was a lucky bastard.”

“Thank you,” I say, my cheeks blushing pink.

His gaze flickers across my face and then he drags me in for another hug. “I’m sorry about your, Mom. Sorry, I couldn’t make the funeral.”

“It’s okay … it … it happened quickly in the end.”

“I tried to move heaven and earth to get back here.”

“I know,” I whisper.

He squeezes me harder. Then lets me go. “Well, at least I can be some sort of help to you now. You know I’d do anything for you kids.”

His eyes flicker over my head and land on Ford.

“And you are?” he asks.

“Ford, Sir. Assigned by Mr. Stormgate to watch over his sister.”

Mack laughs. “Well, there’s no need for that here. No harm will come of Molly. You can come and pick her up and take her home at the end of the day.”

“I have my orders, Sir.”

I roll my eyes. “You know what Axel and Angel are like. I think we just have to humor them for a bit and then hopefully I can lose the shadow.” I glance towards Ford who shifts his weight from one boot to the other.

“If you say so,” Mack says, shaking his head in an indulgent way. “Come on, let’s introduce you to your new boss.”

“New boss?” I say, stopping in my tracks. “I … I thought I was working for you?”

“Me?” Mack chuckles. “Molly, I’m retired. I only duck my head in here occasionally because I’m a sucker for this place and it’s been hard to let it go. But let it go I have. It’s time for the next generation now. Besides,” he leans in and nudges me with his elbow, “I’ve been wanting to perfect my golf swing for years.”

He pushes open a door, holding it for me as I pass through into an open plan office. At least fifty people are spread across the ultra-chic space, tapping on computers, scribbling on iPads or huddled around whiteboards. They all seem to stop and stare at me as Mack encourages me inside.

“Hey, everyone, how’s it going?” Mack says with a wave to our little audience. “Molly here’s a new recruit. Say hi.”