Page 11 of Wolf Promise

It didn't, but she appreciated his attempt to lighten the mood. "Can I get you something to drink?" She walked toward the kitchen. "Coffee? Tea? Wine?"

"'Some water would be great. Ice if you have it."

She took a glass from one of the cupboards and filled it with ice and water from the dispenser on the fridge door. "I have some food, too. Are you hungry?"

"Let's go over the security protocol first and then eat. I want to make sure we get the cameras activated right away and make sure the team back at the office receives a clear feed."

Cameras? Here, in her sanctuary? Regina smacked the glass down on the counter before she dropped it. "Absolutely not," she shouted.

This went too far. How would she ever relax with constant surveillance everywhere? What if she did something unusual? What if the darkness inside her escaped and got caught on film?

Stalker or no stalker, she’d sacrifice her own life before she’d risk her grandfather—and the world—discovering her secrets. If rumors of an unhinged stalker could hurt their public offering, wait until they discovered what the CEO wielding dark powers would do.

She didn’t care about the over-the-top reaction. All the anxiety and irritation that had built up since the morning rushed through her body in need of an outlet.

If shouting at Mr. Varg would help her reach catharsis, so be it.

She inhaled and got ready to throw down some words.

CHAPTER 6

The bang of the glass against the counter startled Bolt's inner wolf. It went on instant alert, growling and looking for the threat that had made Regina Lansford create the loud noise.

Bolt silently ordered the beast to stand down. It glared at him with glowing green eyes, refusing to stand down. Idiot, she’s angry at me. There is no danger.

He knew his own eyes would now be that color since the wolf had come to the surface. Lowering his gaze to the floor so he wouldn’t startle Regina, he took a deep breath and mentally forced his wolf to back off. The beast grumbled but finally relaxed and allowed himself to fade into the background with one final rumble of a growl under its breath.

Why did it act so protectively of Regina? Bolt raised his eyes again to watch the pissed-off woman in the kitchen.

"I will not allow cameras in my apartment," she said, blue eyes blazing.

"They're already installed. Our team put them in immediately after our meeting this afternoon." Had there been a miscommunication? "In any stalking or anonymous threat situation, we send in a team that sweeps for electronic surveillance equipment in our client's home. And then, we install our own. I'm sorry. I thought you’d signed off on our procedure." Had Arek not secured approval before he sent in the team? It didn't seem likely since their alpha loved checkmarks and protocols. Bolt pulled out his phone and shot Arek a quick text, asking who'd approved the team's entry to the apartment. “I’m checking on who authorized the installation now.”

"Well, I sure didn't. And I’m the one living here." Taking a deep breath, she braced her hands on the counter and closed her eyes. When she exhaled, she looked at him again. Her eyes were still shooting sparks. "This is my home. I will not allow anyone to film me while I'm here. I absolutely did not approve of this." She lowered her shoulders, but the gesture showed obvious effort. "Did they find any surveillance equipment?"

He liked this new fiery Regina, far from an ice queen now. Too bad her ire was aimed at him, though. "They didn't." Bolt's phone vibrated, and he quickly scanned the message from Arek. "Your grandfather gave us permission to install the cameras. He said he'd let you know and that you would be okay with us entering your apartment."

She shook her head. "Of course he did."

She muttered something under her breath that even Bolt, with his superb hearing, couldn't quite make out, but it had something to do with arrogance, testosterone, and family obligations. Even if he could hear the words, he did not want to get involved in the drama between her and her grandfather.

"I need to do something about his authority to approve access to my apartment. We agreed it would be for when I'm out of town, or in an emergency. Not to allow people to install spy equipment."

"I should probably tell you that he also allowed us access to your office and your warehouses," Bolt said.

Regina closed her eyes again, and her shoulders tensed. "I can live with cameras in my professional spaces, but you have to take down the ones in here. All of them." She looked straight at him, her cobalt blue eyes imploring him to do as she asked.That look went straight to his gut. He’d love to do as the lady asked, but that would endanger her. The thought of Regina in danger stirred something deep inside him. Something he didn’t want to examine more closely.

His wolf lifted his head, reacting to the weird feeling. It growled quietly. What was going on with his beast? It never reacted this way to people. Bolt shook his head, focusing on the conversation again. "I'm sorry, but in order for us to protect you and find the ass...the person stalking you, we have to be able to monitor your home and your office."

A small smile played on her lips. "It's okay to curse in front of me. Besides, asshole is not that strong of a word. I can take it."

Bolt couldn’t help but grin back. "I'll keep that in mind." She was gorgeous when she smiled.

His wolf agreed.

He told it to shut up.

She picked up the glass of water and joined him at the table. Handing him the drink, she said, "I understand that in order for you to do your job, you need surveillance in place. But this is my home. All of this is too intrusive." She swept out her hand as if to include him, and his stuff, with the cameras that she couldn't see. "I need someplace where I can just be by myself, where things can just be normal. Where I can breathe." Her hand shot up to cover her mouth as if she didn't mean for the last sentence to slip out.

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