Page 13 of Retribution

“Thanks.”

Sighing, I walk up to the counter and order a pastrami sandwich with dark mustard. God, I love this place. My mouth is practically watering at this point as I find a seat and sit down.

I lose myself to my thoughts as I think about how momentous today was. Now, we just need to pass a few more tests before it can go live. I’m willing to wait for as long as needed to be able to prove that it’s a safe and worthy medication.

“Excuse me,” a soft voice says, sitting next to me. Turning toward the voice, I notice red hair pulled into a complicated braid before the hard steel of a firearm against my side.

“Really?” I ask, smirking. “If this is a hit, it’s a bad time. I’m fucking starving, and all you’ll be doing is ending an alpha whose life’s work is to help people live better lives.”

“You almost sound like a good person,” she snorts. “Get up.”

“You’re like a hundred pounds soaking wet,” I mutter, standing. My curiosity is sparked, and I know better than to underestimate someone. “Is this really how you want to spend your day?”

The security measures at the office building means that I’m not wearing any weapons on my person. It figures that today is the day this girl would choose to approach me in a crowded sandwich shop.

I didn’t even get to eat my goddamned food. Yeah, grumpy may be an understatement today.

“Go out through the hallway,” she says under her breath, her hand underneath my coat so she can continue to press the gun against me.

“Yeah, yeah,” I sigh. I’m not one to rough a girl up, but I’m really pissed off.

My heavy footsteps drag slightly as I walk, and I raise my brow at the owner as my name is called. I’ve been coming here for years, and Angus knows me well. In hindsight, I shouldn’t be this predictable, but I haven’t had a true threat against me in a long time. It’s not the first time that Grant has dropped me off to grab food, but it may be the first time he’s called because I’m being kidnapped from here.

What’s a little more excitement on a Tuesday afternoon? Poor Grant is going to be pulling his hair out when he realizes that this girl is taking me right under his nose.

Doesn’t mean I don’t plan to fight or convince her that I’m not the right mark for her. What could she possibly want?

Money? Medical formulas I don’t have memorized? I can’t get any of that unless I’m in the office building. It’s so that the wrong people can’t get ahold of the blue prints of sensitive material.

It doesn’t matter that I founded the fucking company. All it takes is one weak link, and I refuse to be that.

“Can you move any faster?”

“Nope,” I grunt. “Want to tell me who you’re working for?”

“Maybe when you’re drowning in your own blood,” she says conversationally as we trudge down the hallways. “I think the better question is if you know what your alpha is up to and where he is now. You’re the easiest of your pack to find.”

“I don’t have a pack nor an alpha,” I say immediately, shrugging. “A little research will tell you that I’m a bachelor.”

“I was told you’re keeping it a secret,” she says, her body still loose as she propels me to the back exit.

“It sounds like you’re being lied to, darlin’,” I purr. I should be worried but I’m not.

Even if she does kill me, my board will continue to function in my name. They won’t make a move against my wishes either. I’ve already threatened to haunt their asses through my lawyers if they fuck up my legacy.

I can be scary while still being polite. It’s an art form.

The sub shop’s back alley looks like any other one in this city, and I pull away from the wraith-like girl who propelled me out here.

Damn. I thought leather pants were a cliche, but she makes them look damn good.

Focus, Lucas.It’s been too long since I’ve had sex, and my dick is threatening to thicken in my dress pants.

“Now, would you like to try again? I’m too heavy for you to kidnap unless you’re working with someone. If it’s because of something my nonexistent pack has done, I can’t really help you. I’m only responsible for me, myself, and I. Well, I also take responsibility for my company and the three hundred people that I employ as well.”

“Are you saying that if I told you that one of them did something heinous, you’d fall on your sword for them?” she asks, almost appearing bird-like as she gazes at me.

I can see her lean muscles underneath her shirt as I shrug. I wonder if she’s been starved before, because she certainly looks like it. “Depending on the severity, I’d help you kill them. I know the suit makes people think that I’m some rich prick, but I’m a scientist and philanthropist first. Everything created and manufactured in my labs is meant to help people.”