Page 71 of Release

I give him Dom eyebrow this time. “Governor Forrester, I believe Itoldyouearlierthat you and I will have a conversationtomorrownight.Afterwe return from Memphis.”

Staring him down is something I perfected years ago, back in college. Although I’ve had to do very little of it in recent years.

Today I break that out and give him the iciest glare I can conjure up to go with Ice Queen tone.

Not difficult, when I remember how Declan sobbed in my arms last night.

Although a good chunk of that loathing I feel is thanks to my own actions and directed into a mirror right back at me.

He breaks after about a minute. His gaze drops to his feet. “I’ll go talk to him when we’re finished here,” he says.

“No, you willnot. The time for that has expired. You andIwill talk tomorrow night,afterour return from Memphis.Period. Do I make myself clear, Governor Forrester?”

He nods.

“Now put your ass back in your chair and let’s finish this. You’renotgoing to talk to Declan for anything other than work-related issues until after you and I clear the air. And that can’t happen before tomorrow night.”

I mean, itcould, but I think the brief delay will be more effective.

He finally returns to his chair and we get back to work.

* * * *

I coordinate tonight’s final schedule with George’s EPU detail, then I grab Declan and we skate out of the office nearly an hour early.

Because I need Declan out of there before he breaks down and ruins the plan. Plus, Alpha Declan needs a chance to step out of control for a little while and reset ahead of tonight’s event, where a version of him is required, anyway.

We go grab a bite to eat, because I’ve attended events at the hotel we’ll be at tonight, and their catering service sucks. If it wasn’t for the plan, I’d make sure I fed George well before he even leaves the office.

Tonight?

He’s on his own for that.

We eat mostly in silence and I can tell Declan’s heart isn’t in it. Normally he’d be talking, if not about the event then about things we did today, or tomorrow’s event. Like me, he’s a compulsive planner when it comes to details. It’s one of the things he learned from me early on and it makes him damn good at his job.

We’re waiting for the check when Declan glances around and drops his voice. “Please tell mehewon’t be there tonight.”

I know who Declan means because there’s only onehewho receives that level of visceral hatred and disgust in tone.

“No, he won’t.”

“Tomorrow?”

“No.”

“Future events?”

“I cannot promise you that, sweetie. You know that.”

“Fucker’s never going to pay, is he?”

I risk reaching across the table to squeeze his hand, hard. “Long game,boy,” I whisper. “Your job rightnowis what Itellyou it is. Tonight and tomorrow, that means Alpha Declan’s in the house. Understood?”

He finally nods. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Good boy.”

* * * *