Chapter Nine
“So, tell me again what you do, Jade?” Daniel asked.
“I’m a researcher at a food company,” Jade replied as she speared some chicken onto her fork and took a delicate bite.
“Sounds interesting,” he said.
“It’s quite boring actually.” She took a sip of her water and looked at the man from over the rim of her glass. Daniel Lane was handsome, with his dark hair and piercing green eyes. He reminded her of a younger Grant Anderson. Though she would never admit to anyone, she might have had a tiny crush on the Alpha when she first met him. When she saw Daniel’s profile on Tinder, she immediately swiped right and, much to her (and her friends’) delight, was matched with him.
They chatted the whole afternoon over the app, and she learned that Daniel was an engineer at some tech startup. His Tinder profile said he loved reading Proust and Thoreau and enjoyed rock climbing on the weekends. Athletic, hot, and smart. He seemed like the perfect date.
So, they decided to meet at a nice restaurant in the East Village that evening. Daniel was already there waiting for her (which mean he was early, since she arrived at 7 p.m. on the dot). They made some small talk before the hostess led them to their seats.
“It can’t be as boring as my job,” he said, giving her a smile. “I mostly deal with code the whole day.”
Daniel seemed like the perfect guy, and she couldn’t believe her luck. She always thought online dating was scary and she’d end up with weirdos. But maybe fate was on her side.
They finished dinner, and Jade felt more at ease. Daniel was charming and polite, and although he complimented her on her dress, his eyes never lingered too long on her cleavage. Meredith had picked out the dress, saying it was tasteful, but with the right amount of sluttiness. Daniel paid for the dinner and asked Jade if she wanted to have a quick drink at this bar around the corner.
As they left the restaurant, Daniel offered his arm, and they walked together, enjoying the late New York summer night. Jade shivered involuntarily, which was strange because it wasn’t cool enough to give her a chill. Was someone watching her?
“So, I have a confession to make,” Daniel said as they stopped walking.
“What?”
“Here’s the place I told you about,” he motioned to the bar they stopped in front of. “But, my apartment is also up there.” He pointed towards the windows higher up on the building.
“Oh.” Jade looked up and then back to Daniel. She took a mental deep breath. This is what she wanted, right? “If you have some wine, maybe we can have a glass or two?”
“Your wish is my command.” Daniel motioned for her to follow him, leading her to the door next to the bar. “I have this Italian red you might like.”
“Sounds great,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
Daniel plucked his keys from his pocket and opened the door, which led straight to a set of stairs. As they ascended the steps, the door behind them slammed open, making Jade jump and nearly slip down the steps.
“Dr. Cross.”
Another shiver rushed down her spine. Oh no. It couldn’t be.
Daniel twisted his head around and frowned. “Hey, who are you? You’re not one of my neighbors.”
“No, I’m Dr. Cross’ security detail,” Sebastian said, his voice gruff. His steely eyes turned hard and seemed to glint in the low light of the hallway.
“No, you’re not,” Jade protested. “The Al—Mr. Anderson told me the truth.”
“Well, whatever he told you, this is the truth now, darlin’,” he gave her a smug look. “My company’s been tasked to protect you, Dr. Cross. From all kinds of threats.” He eyed the other man, his expression grim.
“Jade, what’s going on?” Daniel asked.
“I’m sorry, Daniel,” Jade said. “I think there was some miscommunication at work. Mr. Creed,” she turned to Sebastian, “I don’t know what type of protection you’re supposed to be giving me, but I’m sure it doesn’t extend to my personal life. And aren’t you CEO? Why aren’t you having one of your goons follow me around?”
“I promised your boss I’d give this job the personal touch,” he answered. “He is my best client.”
Jade rolled her eyes and then looked up at Daniel. “How about that wine?”
Daniel smiled and took Jade’s hand, tugging her up the steps.
“Daniel Lane,” Sebastian called. “Or should I say, Daniel Landers?”
Daniel stopped suddenly, and then dropped Jade’s hand. He whipped around, facing Sebastian. “How do you know that name?”
“Oh, I know lots of things, Mr. Landers,” Sebastian drawled. “Like how you’ve got three counts of assault on your record. Are you a man who prefers things a little rough?”
“What’s going on, Daniel?” Jade asked as she slowly backed down the stairs.
“I can explain. Jade!” he called, reaching out to her, but she batted his hands away.
“Tell me, Daniel, did you like it when those girls said no to you?”
“Don’t listen to him, Jade,” Daniel said, his face suddenly turning serious.
“What’s wrong? Couldn’t get it up unless they were fighting you?”
“Shut the fuck up!” Daniel lunged towards Sebastian, but he was too fast. For a large guy, Sebastian moved quickly, stepping aside and letting gravity do its work. Daniel ended up sprawled on the ground.
Jade gasped. What the hell was going on? She quickly hopped down the stairs, stepping over Daniel’s prone figure as she burst out of the apartment building. She heard Sebastian call her, but ignored him. That asshole! He was still following her around! What the hell did he want with her?
She walked away faster, not caring which way she was going. But her short legs were no match for him, and Sebastian quickly caught up to her.
“Let me bring you home,” he said as he stepped in front of her.
Jade collided into him, and she braced herself by planting her palms on his broad chest. Fudgesicles. The man was built like a rock. “I can take a cab home by myself, thank you very much.”
“No, you won’t.” He clutched her arm as she tried to get around him.
“What?!” she exclaimed, wrenching herself away from his grasp. “What do you want?”
“How about a thank you?” he yelled. He took his phone out of his pocket and showed her a picture of a pretty young girl whose face was marred with a black eye and split lip. “Daniel Landers’ high school girlfriend. And this wasn’t even the worst one! I can’t believe you were going to go up to that asshole’s apartment.”
Jade turned red. “Thank you!” she screamed at him sarcastically. “Now, leave me alone!” God, she had to get away from him. The humiliation and shame were creeping in, making her cringe. He must think she was terribly desperate for sex if she’d go to bed with someone who liked to hit women. But she didn’t know. Couldn’t have known. Sebastian’s eyes were cold and unfeeling, making her wince.
“I’m here to protect you, Jade,” he explained in a soft voice.
“Daniel wasn’t…I mean…” Why did she want to tell him that she didn’t want to sleep with Daniel? The moment Sebastian showed up, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with Daniel or anyone else. Sebastian Creed was making her all turned around and crazy, and she couldn’t do anything about it because he’d already rejected her. Apparently, she didn’t affect him as much as he did her since the paycheck Fenrir offered was enough to make him forget he couldn’t stand to be around her.
“Jade!” he called again. “Where are you going?”
“Anywhere but here with you!” God, she despised him. She waved a passing cab and pulled the door angrily, slamming it behind her. “Just go,” she barked at the driver before he could ask where she wanted to go. The cab quickly sped away, and Jade take a backward glance.
***
“That two-faced son-of-a-bitch!” Meredith exclaimed. It was the day after the Daniel disaster, and the three women were sitting in the Fenrir employee cafeteria having lunch. “I bet he’s never even read Proust!”
“Wait, back up a moment,” Lara said. “You said Sebastian Creed just showed up?”
“Yes,” Jade gritted her teeth. God, it was like anytime something embarrassing was about to happen to her, he was there.
“Sounds like he got there just in time,” the witch commented. “But what was he doing, following you around?”
“The Alpha hired his company,” Jade explained. The first thing she did that morning was go to Grant’s office and ask if it was true. He confirmed he just signed the contract the day before. The Alpha had ordered around-the-clock protection for her whenever she left Fenrir. There would be guys following her when she left the building and outside watching her apartment. They would stay out of her radar, of course, to give her privacy, but any time she was out in public, she would never be alone. Jade wanted to protest, but as her Alpha, she had no choice but to accept Grant’s decision.
“Well, I’m glad you didn’t sleep with that bastard,” Meredith sneered. “Now, let’s see who else we can find.” She made a grab for Jade’s phone, but the other Lycan snatched it away.
“Oh no, no more!” Jade shook her head. “I’m not doing that again. I told you, there are psychos out there! And I found the Norman Bates to trump all Norman Bateses!”
Meredith rolled her eyes. “Well, then where else are we going to find the next candidate for Operation PTC?”
Lara nudged Jade and motioned across the cafeteria. The brunette’s eyes lit up and then lowered to her lap.
“Jade?” Meredith turned around and saw who they were looking at. The man standing in line at the coffee bar was tall, handsome, and well-dressed. He had longish blonde hair and a designer scruff that made him look dangerous and exciting. Feeling eyes on him, the man turned his head towards them, his face opening up into a smile.
“Who. Is. That?” Meredith asked, her eyes glued to the man as he approached them.
“That’s Gabriel. From Marketing,” Lara whispered.
“Bonjour, ladies,” the man greeted. “Jade.” He fixed his deep blue eyes at the Lycan scientist.
Meredith looked like she was going to have a seizure as she turned to Lara and Jade and mouthed Oh my God.
“Bonjour, Gabriel,” Jade greeted.
“May I join you for a bit?” he asked.
The three of them nodded, and Meredith scooted over to make room for the Frenchman.
“How about those lemon curd muffins?” the blonde quipped and Jade gave her a swift kick to the shins.
“Are you new here?” he asked, turning to Meredith.
“This is Meredith,” Lara introduced. “She works with Alynna Westbrooke and Nick Vrost.”
“Ah,” he took Meredith hand and kissed it. “Enchanté.”
“Uh…nice to meet you, too,” Meredith babbled.
“So, I haven’t seen either of you around much,” Gabriel said to Jade and Lara.
“Yeah, we’ve been busy,” Jade said.
“It’s too bad, I do miss speaking in French. No one else here speaks my mother tongue.”
Jade sent Meredith a warning glare before the other woman could make a comment about tongues. “We can’t ignore my friends, though.”
“Oh of course, but they won’t mind if we sometimes slip, non?”
The four of them continued to chat, with Jade and Gabriel switching between French and English. After twenty minutes or so, Gabriel bid them goodbye, saying he had to get back to his office.
“Oh. My. God,” Meredith fanned herself as she watched the Frenchman leave. “Jade, he is gorgeous! And he’s employed by Fenrir, so you know he can’t be a psycho!”
“See, I told you he was totally flirting with you!” Lara said. “C’mon, go after him! Ask him out before he gets away!”
Before Jade could protest, the witch shoved her off her chair and pointed towards the doors leading out of the cafeteria. “Go!”
Jade grumbled but followed Lara’s orders. She chased after Gabriel, just as he was going up the stairs. “Gabriel, wait!” she called.
He turned around and flashed Jade a smile. “Oui?”
“Um, I was wondering…would you like to go out to dinner? Like tomorrow or something?” Jade said in a breathy voice.
Gabriel’s blue eyes lit up in pleasure. “Well, this is a surprise. I was thinking maybe you were not receptive to my advances?”
“Well, you know…I just wasn’t ready,” Jade said quickly.
“Tomorrow is perfect,” Gabriel said. “Shall I pick you up at 7?”
“Sounds good!” Jade nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
“I look forward to it, cher,” he replied with a wink.
Jade walked back to the cafeteria with a spring in her step.
“Well?” Meredith asked. “Are you going on a date with him?”
“Yes.”
The Lycan gave an unladylike squeal, prompting the people next to them to stare.
“Good for you, Jade,” Lara said. “Just get back in the saddle.”
Jade smiled at her friends. “You’re right. I’m glad you made me do that. I have a good feeling about this.” She would go out and have a good time with Gabriel. And Sebastian Creed could go jump off a cliff.
***
Sebastian liked to think he was a reasonable and level-headed man. Some even described him as cold, like the women he often sent on their way after they’d had their fun. But ever since he met Jade Cross, years of building that cool exterior and reputation were headed down the shitter.
What the fuck was he thinking last night? Jade had every right to date and go out and sleep with whomever she wanted. The thought of that, though, had The Beast clawing and screaming at him and he forced the animal to shut the fuck up. When he heard her two friends discussing the date, he called Zac to tell him to start following Jade as soon as she left Fenrir, despite the fact that the ink on the contract hadn’t even dried.
He went back to his office downtown and tried to concentrate on his work. But, he couldn’t. Not when all he could think about was Jade’s date. By seven p.m. he was crawling out of his skin and after confirming Jade’s location with Zac. He went to the restaurant where he tailed Jade. Sebastian ordered full surveillance, and when he got a picture of Jade’s date, he sent it to his best computer guys and had them do a search on all law enforcement databases. After seeing the records, he went into a rage. Even worse was when he watched Jade and Daniel leave the restaurant and head towards his apartment. It took all of Sebastian’s strength not to tear the man’s head off.
Sebastian told himself he was doing the right thing. He couldn’t let Jade fall for that asshole. She hated him even more now. No, that was good. That was the point. Jade should stay away from him. But still, he had a job to do—protect Jade and find out who was trying to kill her. And today, he found himself back at Fenrir Corporation. He needed to ask Grant for more information and more access to Jade so he could do his job. Then, maybe, he could put Fenrir and Jade behind him, and get on with his miserable life.
“Mr. Creed,” Jared greeted him. The younger man was leaving his desk, a stack of folders in his arms. “Mr. Anderson is running a bit late. He’s stuck in an HR meeting, but said you should go ahead and wait for him inside his office.”
“Thank you, Jared,” Sebastian said.
“I need to drop these off at Mrs. Westbrook’s office, but I can get you some coffee or tea as soon as I’m back.”
“Just water, please.”
“Of course, Mr. Creed,” Jared said with a nod as he left.
Sebastian let himself into the office, taking the seat opposite Grant’s large desk. He sat there, looking around the room, trying to put pieces of the puzzle together. The CEO’s desk was neat and held no personal items, or other things that might give a hint to Grant’s personality outside of Fenrir Corporation.
The sound of the door opening caught his attention. Expecting to see Grant stride in, he stood to greet his client. He was surprised, however, as a petite woman in a yellow floral dress walked into the room.
“Oh, excuse me,” she said, realizing there was someone else in the room. “Jared wasn’t at his desk, and I just assumed Grant was in here.”
Sebastian eyed the woman. She was pretty and he couldn’t help but appreciate the sight before him. Lush curves filled the dress in the right places, and her thick, jet-black hair was piled on top of her head. Her most startling feature was her eyes—one green and one blue. And they were staring right back at him.
The woman crossed her arms over her chest. “Can I help you, Mr…”
“Sebastian Creed,” he said, walking towards her and extending his hand.
“Oh.” Her lips parted, then spread into a smile. “So, you’re Sebastian Creed.”
“And you are?”
“Frankie,” she supplied.
“Grant’s not here,” Sebastian explained. “Sorry to disappoint you.”
Frankie let out a chuckle, her eyes sparkling. “Oh, I’m not that disappointed. You certainly live up to your reputation, at least from what I hear from the women around Fenrir.”
It was Sebastian’s turn to laugh. “I do my best.”
“Get your own wife, Creed, and stop trying to steal mine,” Grant interrupted as he entered his office. He strode towards them, putting a possessive arm around Frankie’s shoulders.
“I didn’t know who she was,” Sebastian said with an apologetic nod.
“I think you can forgive Mr. Creed, can’t you Grant?” Frankie traced a finger on Grant’s chest.
“My wife is gorgeous,” Grant said, leaning down to press a kiss on her forehead. “I understand if men flirt with her. Not that I have to like it.”
Frankie rolled her eyes. “Oh please. Like I never have to fight off women falling over themselves to get your attention.”
Grant pulled her closer. “You never have to worry about me, sweetheart.”
Sebastian cleared his throat, and the two lovers pulled apart, Frankie’s cheeks growing pink.
“All right, Creed,” Grant began. “Your assistant said you wanted to meet with me and that it was an urgent matter. I only have ten minutes to spare. I promised Frankie I’d take her to lunch.”
“We get very hangry,” Frankie stated, smiling at him and rubbing her belly. Sebastian didn’t notice the slight bump there, but now he could see it. “I’ll give you a few minutes, though. I have to answer some emails.” She walked over to the couches and sat down, taking out her tablet.
“I just need five minutes,” Sebastian stated as he sat down.
“Good. Now, what is it you wanted to talk about?’ Grant asked as he stepped behind his desk.
“I need access to your lab. I mean, Dr. Cross’ lab.”
“Request denied,” Grant said flatly. “Is there anything else?”
“What do you mean denied?” Sebastian’s brows furrowed.
“I mean, no. You can’t have access to her lab. It’s restricted.”
“I’ll sign any NDA you want. Or I can give you a bond for whatever you think is the value of her work if there’s a leak. But, if you want me to find whoever is trying to hurt Jade, then I need to be around her…work,” he added.
“There’s no reason for you to access her lab,” Grant said. “The work she’s doing there is of the utmost importance to me, and I can’t risk it. Besides, that lab is stronger than Fort Knox. We have the most advanced security in there, and we just upgraded after the last breach.”
“Last breach?” Sebastian asked incredulously. “And how many breaches have you had? Why does this keep happening?”
“Sebastian,” Grant said in a deadly voice, his green eyes going dark. “Dr. Cross’ work is of no consequence to you or the job I hired you for. Protect her. Keep her safe while she’s outside of Fenrir. That’s all you need to do.”
Sebastian felt the anger rising in him. What was Grant hiding in that lab? All he wanted to do was protect Jade, and the best way to do that was to stop the threats on her life. “Grant. I—”
“Madre de dio!” Frankie exclaimed as she got up from her seat and walked over to the two men. “Mr. Creed, if you want to spend time with Jade, just man up and ask her out already!”
“That’s not why I want access to her lab,” Sebastian replied defensively.
“Sure, it isn’t,” Frankie said, her mismatched eyes sparkling.
Grant eyed Sebastian suspiciously. “My answer is still no.”
Sebastian gritted his teeth, but nodded. “All right.”
“Should I hire another company to do this job?” Grant asked. “Or can I trust you to be professional?”
The warning in the other man’s voice was clear. “It’s fine, Grant,” Sebastian said, getting up from his seat. “Sorry for intruding on your time with your wife.” He gave Frankie a last nod and then left the office.