Touche
Nikolai’s POV
I would have avoided this meeting if I could, but there was no helping it. It wasn’t like humans would suspect anything because the pack members had been trained consistently and taught to control their appetite when they were around humans. The only remotely suspicious thing was the location of my mansion, away from people. But that was quite explanatory as I worked better in a serene environment.
But my problem was the other wolves in the vicinity. If they caught the scent of a human they would surely come running. For some reason, the day we had been surrounded by those rogue wolves after the hunt came to mind. I couldn’t imagine something like that happening to my soon-to-be business partner. But this was an important client and I had nothing else to do but make sure of his safety. I needed this deal to go through as planned as it would be a huge achievement for my company. So nothing was allowed to go wrong.
I pulled on the button down shirt and pair of dress pants I had already laid out and proceeded to the balcony to await my guest. As I looked down to the ground floor, I saw a group of some of the pups playing in the lawn. My brows cocked in surprise. I clearly remember informing the pack members that I didn’t need any disturbance. I quickly mindlinked Annalise, telling her to move the kids to their room. It wasn’t even time yet and they were already getting on my nerves.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
When I heard the sound of a car engine in the distance, I made my way down the stairs. It would take a few minutes before they got to the house, but I wanted to be ready.
Finally, I saw the limousine pull up. Enrique Monteiro stepped out in a large pair of combat shorts and an oversized sweater. If I hadn’t met him before now, I would have been shocked to see him in such an attire for a business meeting. But everyone knew what Enrique was like, and it definitely wasn’t a suit person; he valued his comfort above everything else and it showed in everything he did. After all it wasn’t like any one would ask him to leave a meeting because of his attire. He practically owned the meetings. Which was why I needed him to work with him.
“It’s a rather beautiful home you have up here,” He commented, roving his eyes appreciatively round the premises. “I would get one in a place like this but I like the social life way too much.”
I chuckled. “Touché.”
As we walked through the gates I saw him smile. “Well, well, this is way bigger than I thought. You’ve got good taste, Slade.”
“Thank you. But I’m sure your home is even more luxurious.”
That did the trick as it made him chuckle. I had known he was one of those men who loved it when you fed their ego. No surprise there. When he was finally comfortable, I opened the brandy I had already kept on standby at his request and began our discussion.
***
It turns out that the two hours I had taken out of my time for this meeting had not been a waste after all. Enrique was quite the friendly partner, all I had to do was praise one of his amazing works at intervals. The only annoying thing was the fact that he couldn’t seem to shut up about all the wealth he had acquired over the years and the struggle that came with it. My patience was beginning to grow thin but I struggled to contain myself. It was almost over.
I beamed when he handed me the contract he had signed. As I placed the pen to sign mine, I caught sight of someone wiping the windows right outside the door. I struggled to keep my cool when I saw that it was the prisoner. Hadn’t I said I needed no disturbance? Thankfully, Enrique had his back to the wall and couldn’t see her.
Thinking quickly, I dropped the pen and faced Enrique, standing to my feet. “I beg your pardon, excuse me for a moment.”
As soon as he nodded, I all but raced to the door. I saw her pause in surprise when she saw me.
“What the hell are you doing?” I muttered under my breath. “I am having an important meeting, you can clean later.”
“Oh, I, I didn’t know t-that,” She stammered, infuriating me the more. I grabbed her forcefully by the wrists, trying not to falter when she looked me in the eyes. My wolf purred at our closeness and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from yelling.
“Oh so this is what was so important,” I heard Enrique’s voice blend in beside me. I dropped her hand, turning around in horror to apologize but then stopped when I saw him smiling.
“I would too, she’s a very beautiful woman,” He faced her. “I take it she’s your fiancée?” He gave a booming laugh. “Because I’m sure I would have been invited to the wedding if she was your wife.”
Fuck.
I struggled to form words. I couldn’t say no because it would raise questions from him and we were this close to concluding the contract, I couldn’t ruin in now.
Swallowing back all the anger I felt, I placed a hand on her waist. “Yes you’re right,” I replied, forcing a smile.
I felt her stiffen and try to look up at me but I tightened my hold on her waist. She must’ve gotten the message because she relaxed visibly, offering Enrique a small smile.
“Grand!” Enrique smiled. “I would love to hear more about this so I’ll pause our meeting here for now.”
My eyes widened in shock.
“Now I am even more interested in working with you. Good for you, nowadays no one wants to get married. All they want are one night stands.”
Getting the message, I cast a look of fake admiration to the prisoner. “It’s easy with her.”
I tried not to frown when she started to cough. When I glared at her, she finally stopped, looking to me and trying to smile.
“Good!” Enrique laughed, clapping his hands together. “I’ll see you two at the party then.”
Oh no. He was throwing a huge dinner party in a few days and I had been invited. I couldn’t show up with her. Most of my business partners would be at the party and I couldn’t have them believing that I was engaged.
“Thank you but unfortunately I don’t think my fiancée will be able to make it.”
Enrique waved off my comment. “Nonsense, I’m sure you can make out time. We’ll conclude the contract there, alright?”
Facing her, he outstretched his hand so she could place hers in his. He planted a light kiss to it and grinned. “See you soon, milady.”
“Bye for now,” He said to me, and without waiting for my response, he breezed out of the house, his bodyguards trailing behind him.
I whipped around to face the girl, pulling my arm off her waist. “Why are you so dumb?! Now look what you’ve done!”
I saw her shoulders begin to shake. “I’m sorry I didn’t know that-”
“Quiet!” I raked my fingers through my hair, trying to find a solution to this problem although I knew it couldn’t be helped. “Shit!”
I had to drag this bitch all the way to a stupid party just for this contract. As I glared at her I longed to snap her neck.
I faced her once more. “You know what? You put yourself into this mess so you’re gonna have to deal with it,” I hissed. “You’re coming to the party.”
“B-but I-”
“Annalise will come for you in the evening to…” I glanced at her shabby outfit. “… clean you up.”
“And I don’t need to repeat myself about what will happen if you fail to meet their expectations.”
Without waiting for her reaction, I exited the room, cursing silently.