Page 9

9

P aisley

I knock on the door.

“Come in,” someone with a firm voice shouts. I know it’s not Lauren. She must have visitors.

I stick my head around the jamb. Lauren is propped up on the sofa. Her head is bandaged. She looks a little pale but so much better than last night.

“I thought I would check in on you.” I smile.

“Come in,” Jacki says.

Carmen smiles at me. “Thank you for all you did for Lauren.”

“My lifesaver,” Lauren gushes. She looks tired but I know it’s the painkillers making her a little drowsy.

“Hardly.” I laugh softly. “I was just doing my job.”

“You woke me up every three hours last night,” Lauren says. “You must be exhausted.”

I hold back a yawn. “I’m fine. How’s the head?”

“Let’s just say thank goodness for painkillers. When they start to wear off, it starts to throb, but otherwise, I’m good.”

“You’ll be right as rain in a few days. Those stitches can come out next week.”

“I’m so glad you didn’t let Dr. du Pont shave my hair,” Lauren says.

“Dr. du Pont is by the book and a little old school,” I say. “He wasn’t wrong. The infection risk is greatly decreased by shaving the area, but in most cases, it’s unnecessary, especially since you’re on an antibiotic. You have such beautiful hair. It would have been a shame to shave a section off.”

“You’re telling me,” Lauren says, looking grateful. She even smiles.

There is a click and a hiss from the kitchenette. The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills my nose.

“Do you want to stay for a coffee? They have these fancy cappuccino machines in every apartment.” Carmen lifts her brows. “You probably have one, too.”

“I do.”

“I suppose there are a few perks to living here,” Jacki says.

“Did you see the flowers?” Lauren says, pointing toward the four-man dining room table to the bouquet of flowers resting on the wood. It takes up the entire surface in a burst of tropical colors. There’s a food basket on the kitchen counter filled with snacks and treats. It’s still covered in cellophane and tied with ribbons.

“How lovely.” I nod.

Carmen stands and starts toward the kitchen. “Am I making you a cup?”

“Actually, I have a meeting I need to get to.”

“Is it with them…the shifters?” Jacki asks.

“Yep. The management team from their side wants feedback on how you’re doing,” I tell Lauren. “I’m not sure why it’s necessary since I already drew up a report and sent it through first thing this morning,” I grumble.

“Okay, well, good luck,” Carmen tells me as she grabs a couple of mugs.

“Thanks for checking in,” Lauren says in a small voice. “Oh…um…who was that shifter who came to check on me? Is he one of the candidates?”

“Yes. He came to check in on behalf of all the candidates.”

“Is he important?” Lauren asks.

“He has some big management position at the castle.” I shrug like it’s no biggie. “I’m not sure of exactly what he does. All the candidates are highly successful individuals. They only chose the best of the best to enter the pilot program. Listen, I need to get going, ladies. I’m glad you’re doing better,” I tell Lauren.

“We’ll look after her.” Jacki’s eyes soften.

I smile. “Good to know. Looks like you’re in good hands, but I will be back later just to be sure,” I say. “Get some rest.”

“I will.” Lauren smiles.

I check my watch as I leave the apartment and then head toward the entrance to our building. There is a gleaming black SUV waiting right outside.

A shifter in a full leather uniform greets me. He holds the door open, closing it once I’m inside.

I buckle up, and then we’re driving to the castle. My heart is pounding at the thought of seeing Arctic again. I’m nervous. I shouldn’t be.

I am! I can’t help it.

What does he want?

It isn’t to check up on Lauren. He has my report and could easily pick up the phone. This is something else. I know it. I find myself fidgeting and chewing my lip. I was quite rude to Arctic. To the shifter king. The man in charge of this whole island. I scrub a hand over my face.

No, I reacted correctly. He deserved it. I could still be in shit, or worse…out on my ear.

All too soon, the SUV pulls up to the castle. It’s grand and imposing, with its ancient stone walls and turrets reaching up to the sky. There are flags on each of the high towers. It reminds me of something out of a storybook. My mouth is hanging open. I can’t take my eyes off all the grandeur. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

Before I’ve even unclipped my seatbelt, the driver opens my door, and I step out onto cobblestone paving. I look down at my scrubs. Maybe I should have changed. No! Dammit! I’m a nurse, and this is my uniform.

“Follow me,” my driver tells me, drawing me out of my head.

I do as he says, and we make our way to the entrance. The guards on either side of the vast wooden doors are holding spears. They are wearing leather masks with grotesque facial features etched into them. They don’t so much as move as we walk by. We enter a huge reception area. The staff behind the mahogany desk nod and smile. They’re all in uniform, with golden badges on their lapels.

“Welcome,” one of them says – a woman. The only female shifter I’ve seen so far. She’s tall, a little over six feet. She looks lean and toned. Her eyes are a striking blue. Not as vivid as Arctic’s. I note that these shifters are all very attractive.

My mouth is still gaping a little as we walk through; this place is something else. My shoes tap on the shining marble, and we soon reach the elevator. My escort presses the button.

The elevator doors slide open smoothly, revealing a lavish interior adorned with mirrors and golden patterns. I step inside, the shifter following closely behind me, pressing another button. As the elevator ascends, my nerves intensify with each passing floor. We go up and up and up. I feel sick. My stomach is now clenched in knots.

Am I going to be fired? Is that it?

I find that I don’t want to leave but I refuse to take back what I said. I won’t apologize, either.

The elevator dings quietly, and the door opens.

“After you.” My escort gestures to the hallway.

I walk out, waiting for him, and then follow him once more. The interior of the castle is just as impressive as the exterior. Ornate tapestries and oil paintings are in vivid colors. They line the walls. They’re of dragons in various forms of shift, as well as an ornate bloody battle scene. I follow the shifter through winding corridors until we reach a set of large oak doors with the words “Royal Offices” in gold lettering.

This is it.

There are guards posted outside. They, too, are wearing those strange masks. I note that they are all different. Each mask seems to have its own “face.” They’re hideous.

I go inside.

There is a mature woman sitting behind a desk. I instantly know she’s a shifter because of her height and lean build and because, despite being in her middle to late fifties, she’s beautiful. Her hair is a shimmering silver, cascading in waves down her back. She looks up at me with golden eyes and a warm smile that lights up her face. Even though there are lines around her eyes when she smiles, her skin is flawless.

“Ah, you must be Miss Reed,” she says in a melodic voice. “Arctic has been expecting you. He’s just wrapping up with another meeting.” She glances at his closed door. “You can take a seat so long. I’m Sally, King Arctic’s PA. Can I get you something to drink while you wait?”

“Good to meet you, Sally.” I shake my head. “I’m fine, thanks.” There is no way I could eat or drink a thing.

“Are you sure? I can get you a tea, coffee, soda, juice—”

“I’m really fine, thanks for offering.” I grab a magazine off the glass table. It’s one I know from the Mainland. I start flipping through it, not seeing much of anything. I want this over with already.

Thankfully, within five minutes, Arctic’s door opens, and Marcel and Cathy come out. They close the door behind them.

I jump up.

“You can go in, Paisley,” Sally tells me.

I start toward his office, smiling at my colleagues, but Cathy is glowering at me.

“Hi,” I say, sounding unsure. “Is everything okay?”

Cathy’s jaw is clenched. Her eyes are hard. She takes a deep breath and then smiles; it’s tight.

“All good.” She nods a couple of times, looking anything but fine. “We’ll talk later.” Her voice has an edge, like she’s mad at me. Why would she be? I haven’t done anything wrong. I don’t even really know her.

“You’d better get in there; he’s on the warpath,” Marcel says, widening his eyes.

“Oh! Okay, thanks for the heads-up.” I swallow thickly. Shit! I knew it. “See you later.” I hope, I think to myself. I’m probably going to be fired. In fact, I’m sure of it.

Crap!

I take a deep breath, knock, and then go inside his office.

Arctic is sitting behind a huge desk. It’s completely clean except for an Apple laptop, which is closed in front of him. He leans back in his plush leather chair, scrutinizing me.

I pretty much swallow my tongue. Arctic is in another one of his suits. This one is just shy of charcoal gray. It’s so tight, it could be his second skin. He has a black, collared shirt beneath the suit jacket. It, too, pulls tight around his chest. A tattoo peeks out at his neck where the top button is undone. Another is just visible from under a cuff on his left hand.

His platinum hair looks like it was cut just before I arrived. It’s styled to perfection. His blue stare is frozen on me. It seems to pin me in place because I can’t move.

“Paisley.” His voice is deep. It sends a rush of shivers up my spine, causing goosebumps to break out all over my body.

I hate it.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this attracted or aware of anyone before.

I realize that I am just standing there, staring at him. That my breathing is elevated. Shit! I need to pull myself together. I refuse to be a basket case of nerves and desire when he fires me. It’s such a weird combination. I’m not sure what to feel. All I know is that I don’t like feeling any of it.

I pull in a breath and give my head a small shake.

I’ve got this, dammit!

“Your Majesty.”

He smirks at me.

Holy hell! Even that’s hot. The way he’s looking at me has stuff happening inside me. Specifically in my lower belly. Heat pools there.

Craaaap! I need to stop this.

“I thought you preferred to call me asshole,” he says in a lazy way that makes more of that heat pool.

“I never called you that.” My voice is too soft.

“But you thought it.” He lifts his brows, the one corner of his full mouth turning up.

I don’t say anything. I like my job. I want to stay and be here for these women. I wanted an adventure, and I think I found it. I don’t want to lie, either, so I chew my lip instead.

He laughs, and my clit takes note. I haven’t felt much of anything sexual since Jim announced that he was leaving me. This is a bad time for my libido to kick in.

“That’s what I thought. Call me Arctic. Take a seat.” He gestures to the chair across from him.

I do as he says, folding my legs and trying not to fidget under his scrutiny.

“How is Lauren doing?”

“I sent a report.” I clear my throat.

His mouth twitches. I’m not sure if he wants to smile or scowl. I’m going with the latter. I need to try to mind my manners, which is tough right now. I’ve never been one to beat around the bush.

“Lauren is doing well. Dr. du Pont administered five stitches. She has some pain and discomfort, but there are no signs of a concussion. No blurred vision, light sensitivity, or confusion. Lauren is on pain medication and antibiotics. She should be fine within a few days and will have her stitches out next week Wednesday. Look, I, um…I’m sorry I was so rude. I was angry, but I was also out of line. I mean, you’re the king…of Mistveil Island, and I…well, I shouldn’t have been quite so blunt. I could have conveyed my feelings in a better way.”

“Good to know. We’re doing another demonstration later today, and I’d like Lauren to have a front-row seat. She—”

“Are you insane?” I close my mouth, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment. I open them and suck in a calming breath. “I wouldn’t recommend it, Your Majesty…Arctic,” I quickly say, remembering that he asked me to call him that. “Lauren isn’t up for it. She’s on strong meds until tomorrow. Even then—” I’m shaking my head.

“You can stop there,” he tells me. “I don’t plan on doing a demonstration anytime soon. I was testing you.”

Say what?

Why?

“And, let me guess: I failed.” I squeeze my eyes shut again, cracking one eye so that I can see his face.

This is it. He’s going to fire me now. I know it. I open my eyes and stare at him head-on. I’m ready!

He smiles, and my ovaries pop off several eggs…I’m sure of it. It’s no mean feat since I have diminished egg reserve, among other fertility issues. In fact, the several that pop out could very well be my last.

Damn him!

His eyes dance with humor. They’re so pretty. He must be a narcissist, though, since he’s about to fire me with a smile on his handsome face.

Asshole.

“You’re easy to read, Paisley. You really do think I’m an asshole, don’t you?”

“I don’t like being tested. That’s all.”

He’s right, I do think he’s an asshole, but I also want to climb him like a pole. I want to muss up his perfect hair and his even more perfect suit. I want him hot and sweaty and…

I need to stop! Right now!

“Here’s the deal, Paisley.” I love how he says my name. “I need you.”

I need you, too.

For a second, I’m sure I said it out loud and feel horrified because we would have been talking about two different kinds of needs, I’m sure of it.

“I’m glad you’re on my team. I need you on my team.”

See! There it is. Two very different kinds of needs.

I nod, trying to keep my cool.

“You’re honest. You really can’t help yourself, especially when you feel strongly about something. In this case, it’s the safety and the happiness of those Tributes. The good news is, we’re on the same page.”

“Okay…yes, good.” I nod. This is unexpected. Completely unexpected. So much so that I’m not sure how to respond.

“My problem is that the people I have on the ground are not nearly as honest as you are.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re referring to Marcel and Cathy?”

He nods. “Yep. Marcel leaves in a few days. Cathy is not nearly as intuitive as you are and…an asslicker in the first degree.”

Ass. My mind goes straight to seeing him naked yesterday. To his meaty ass and perfectly sculpted back.

Head in the game.

I nod.

“It would take some time to replace her.”

“Replace her?” I shake my head. “No, she’s good at what she does. I’m sure,” I quickly add because I don’t know with absolute certainty. “I mean, you wouldn’t have hired her otherwise. The women really like her.” At least, I think they do.

“I know.” He nods. “She’s good at her role with the females but not so great at standing up to the likes of me. She’s not you, Paisley. You have no qualms about putting me in my place. Telling me like it is, but all in the process of keeping the Tributes safe. If I had listened to you, Lauren wouldn’t be hurt. I should have. I will from here on out.”

“Thanks…I guess.” Is this another test? Does he mean it? What is going on here?

“Your role on the island is going to change.”

I shake my head. “I like what I do. I’m a nurse. I don’t want my role to change.”

“You see what I mean about standing up to me?” He smiles, and this time, it’s a half smile that brings out a tiny dimple in his cheek. He’s annoyingly attractive. “You’re doing it again.”

“Oh…yeah, I can’t help myself. I say all of that with respect, of course.”

“Sure thing, Paisley.”

Why does he keep saying my name like that? And, more importantly, why do I like it so much?

“You’ll still work as a nurse. That will be your main function, but I also need you to oversee human shifter relations. Everything will go through you first. All planned activities, speeches, demonstrations, you name it. I’d also like you to attend a few events just to observe. You would be in charge of the bigger picture. I told Cathy and Marcel that they will report to you going forward. I even want Thorn to report to you on anything related to human and shifter interactions. You will have final say. Particularly in the early days. Dr. du Pont is understanding of the situation. You now have the auth—”

“Report to me?” My eyes bug out of my skull. Then I narrow them. “You already told them that without discussing it with me first.” I laugh, but it holds no humor. I’m pissed; I can’t help it. “Let me guess: you were sure I would accept? That, and you’re used to getting pretty much everything you want, so you just assumed I’d fall in line.”

“Yes, I am used to getting everything I want.” The smirk is back. “I should have known you wouldn’t just fall in line. I will pay you for your efforts. This will be a sideline role. I need my staff to be flexible, Paisley, certainly in the early days of this project. Once relations between our species are running more smoothly, you can step back. It shouldn’t take too long.”

I was beginning to wonder how much work we would get at the clinic. Thirty healthy women and a handful of staff are hardly going to keep us busy. Maybe this could fill my spare time. It’s an opportunity to make extra cash. Moreover, it’s clear they need my help so that there are no more incidents.

“I can see you’re not convinced. You’ll report directly to me until such time as we feel it isn’t necessary anymore. I need honesty. I need you to accept this role. The Tributes need you. I’ll double your salary for the next three months.”

Double.

Holy shit!

Money isn’t everything. This is a big responsibility. I don’t know if I like the idea of reporting to Arctic; I had planned on staying far away from him.

“I’ll have to think about it,” I land on.

He nods and licks his lips before biting down softly on his lower lip and looking at me in a way that has my insides doing crazy things again.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less. I know if you take on this role, you’ll throw yourself in fully. It’s how you’re wired. I really hope you’ll accept, Paisley. Keep in mind that it’s overseeing the bigger picture. Cathy will organize the events and coordinate everything. You’ll tick off, advise, or fully change itineraries, events, etcetera, as you see fit, and she will action them.”

Shit! No wonder Cathy hates me. I might be her new boss, at least in the short term.

“Understood. I will give it some serious thought. If we’re done, can I go?”

He nods. “You have until this evening to decide,” he says as I start to stand. “Sally has printed out a copy of the planned itinerary. I’d like you to take it with you. You don’t have to look at me like that.” He smirks. “Take the itinerary, Paisley. I’m giving it to you because I’m hopeful you’ll accept.”

“Is that what they’re calling it now?” He’s arrogant, is what he is. “Hopeful?” I lift my brows and take the document.

Arctic laughs. “Humor me, please.”

I nod and start for the door.

“Paisley.”

I get shivers.

I look back over my shoulder.

“I really hope you’ll accept. I think we’ll work well together.”

My nipples tighten.

I leave without saying anything.

I have to turn this down.