“You can review this over breakfast, okay? I already feel bad enough that you skipped work yesterday because of me,” I explain.
A broad, satisfied smile appears on Neal’s face, the first one I’ve seen, actually. “Now I know why my sister and brother love you so much, Nora. On behalf of the other employees, thank you.”
It sounds like he didn’t really like me before... Well, I guess he didn’t have many occasions to meet me. Now, at least, he seems satisfied. Damian, however, is quite unhappy. He takes the folder but growls at Neal when we walk past him toward the elevator.
“I didn’t think you would side with Neal on that one...” He sighs as the elevator goes down.
“I had to. We probably made things difficult for him lately, and you are a CEO. Even I can understand that you have responsibilities.”
“My girlfriend is my principal responsibility for now. Neal can do well by himself...”
I kiss him on the cheek to have him drop that grouchy face. He may complain, but the truth is, he has already opened the folder to check its contents. I take a look, too, butit’s full of detailed reports, numbers, and graphics that I can’t understand at all.
“How is your company doing?” I ask casually.
“Not bad, despite the Sapphire Moon Clan embargo...”
In our time and City, werewolf Clans fight with their fists but also with business deals. The Black Corporation is related mainly to the Blood Moon Clan; thus, what happens to one always impacts the other.
I keep thinking about it over breakfast. As Damian said, it’s quite decent for a Company cafeteria, but empty at this time of the day. Which is good, because my outfit is still a bit too casual here, especially when I’m eating facing Damian. My mate, imposing in his dark suit, frowns a lot as he reads his files. I don’t dare to speak, but his hand is on mine for the full breakfast, and that’s enough for me.
Now I finally feel like we are a couple. Last night’s discussion was really an eye-opener for me. I want to stand as an equal next to Damian, not just his scared and weak mate. The vision of Alessandra King is still engraved in my mind. She wasn’t just introduced as his fiancée; she was radiating by herself, a strong presence anyone could feel. I want to be the same.
“Nora?”
I raise my head, realizing I gotlost in my thoughts, and he noticed it. Damian is done eating and looks at me with a worried expression.
“You were frowning. What’s wrong?”
I shake my head and smile at him. “Nothing, I’m good. Can we go? Bobo will be downstairs anytime, and I’m pretty sure Neal will have found a whole bunch of other folders to keep you busy with...”
He gets up and comes to hug me, kissing me passionately once again. Am I getting used to this? I don’t feel as shy asbefore while moving my lips against his... I still get butterflies running wild through my whole body every time we do, though.
When we part, he sighs. “I don’t want to go to work... I missed you so much this weekend.”
“You have to, Damian, and me, too. I’ll see you tonight, okay?”
“You’re more reasonable than me. Okay. Stay with Bobo.”
I roll my eyes. “Did you forget the whole part about me being able to take care of myself?”
“You may be able to fight, my Love, but you still can’t drive! So that gives me an excuse to keep your bodyguard close,” he laughs.
A few minutes later, I get in the car, still sulking. Bobo laughs when I tell him the reason. “So, I got promoted from your bodyguard to the driver?”
“It’s not funny, Bobo!”
“It’s okay, Nora. Even the Boss rarely walks alone; it’s too dangerous. He’s just looking out for you. Plus, it gives me an excuse to stay with you, isn’t it great?”
Well, he’s right... I do like having Bobo close, so I can’t really complain. He takes the highway, and I stop pouting.
“Bobo, what were you doing before you became my... bodyguard?”
“Some errand boy for the Black Corp, mostly. Neal often made me deliver important papers from one place to another, even when I was in high school, confidential documents. I liked it, too. I only had to fight an ambush once in a while, and I got a good paycheck for really flexible hours. My brother was a bit bossy, though.”
“You sound like you were some corporate spy!”
He laughs. “Aren’t I a bit too noticeable for that? More like a bodyguard for secret paperwork! I like being your bodyguard much better,” he says with a wink.
