Page 41 of Beast

My jaw tightens because these stuck up bastards inherited their money. They know nothing of the long nights and endless grind it took to build this company from the ground up.

“You have my word that my personal affairs will never impact business,” I state firmly. “I’ve led this company to record profits for seven straight years. My track record speaks for itself.”

Meeting each of their gazes in turn, I assert my authority. The board may carry some power, but they know they can’t get rid of me.

After an extended silence, Rodrigo sighs. “Very well, we’ll take you at your word for now,” he says. “But the board will be keeping a close eye on things moving forward.”

I give a curt nod. “If there’s nothing else, gentlemen?”

Their expressions are stony, but no one speaks, so I gather my notes and stand swiftly. “Good day to you all,” I say crisply before striding from the boardroom.

Those lazy pieces of shit dare to question me, as if I haven’t given my whole life to this company. As if I’m not solely responsible for their cushy dividends and inflated share prices. The entitlement is astounding.

My hands clench into fists when I step into the elevator. It would be so satisfying to crush each of them, leaving them destitute and begging at my feet. Maybe one day, I will. For now, damage control is key. Pablo is trying to mess with me, but he’s made a big mistake. I built this empire from nothing, and I’ll be damned if I let it slip away now.

I dial Damien’s number, tapping my foot impatiently on the floor of the elevator as I wait for him to pick up.

“Gaston,” he answers briskly. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m sending over a file with some interesting information about our friend Pablo Estrada,” I say. “I want it leaked to the press immediately.”

Damien chuckles. “I take it Mr. Estrada has gotten on your bad side?”

“You could say that. He’s making trouble, sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong. I want him publicly ruined.”

“Consider it done,” Damien assures me smoothly.

I end the call and attach the incriminating files I hacked from Estrada’s servers, detailing some of his connections to the Sinaloa cartel in Columbia and money laundering operations. Once this gets out, his public reputation will be destroyed overnight. Not to mention the scrutiny it will bring down on his enterprises from the government.

The ding signals my arrival at the ground floor of QuantumTech Solutions headquarters and I stride out toward the exit. It’s early for me to leave, but there’s no use sitting in my office staring blankly at paperwork when I could be home with my angel.

Pablo Estrada will be put in his place tomorrow. And from there, I’ll deal with him. I tried to warn him, but he refuses to back down. Now he’ll pay the price for crossing me. No one fucks with me and gets away with it.

Estrada will serve as an example to anyone stupid enough to challenge me. The board will fall back in line. I always win in the end.

Striding into the afternoon sun, I step toward the town car waiting to take me home to Elysium. Time for me to get to work on securing my most important acquisition. Last night was the first step to making Blake mine in every sense of the word. She’s torn over her desire to submit and her nature to fight, but her submission is winning over. And when she finally surrenders herself completely and utterly it will make it so much sweeter when she falls for me.

The thought quickens my pulse with anticipation. I loosen my tie, my mind filling with vivid images of all the ways I intend to claim her. To possess every inch of that luscious body and make her scream my name in pleasure.

Then my phone dings and I pull it out of my jacket. Damien has pulled Blake’s medical records for me after hacking into a few institutions. I open them and my stomach drops when I read through. All this time I was sure there was something amiss with the way my girl couldn’t focus and I was right. The question is, why didn’t she tell me she needs meds?

I press the button on the intercom. “Andre, I need to make a stop on the way home. Take me to a pharmacy.”

“Of course, sir.”

Sitting back, I pinch the bridge of my nose. A guilt coils through me because I hate that she’s been suffering in silence. That I could have gotten her the meds the moment I bought her, but she didn’t trust me enough to tell me. I can’t understand why it makes me so sick to my stomach.

18

BLAKE

Butterflies flutter to life in my stomach when I hear the door open. This is the first time since I was bought by him that I’ve been excited for his return.

Last night was electric. Gaston is a beast in bed. And it’s the only thing which has given me any real excitement or pleasure in this gilded cage he’s trapped me in.

Hurrying into the kitchen, I put the finishing touches on the meal I’ve prepared. Gaston loves traditional Mexican cuisine, so I’ve made beef barbacoa tacos with all the fixings.

I straighten my dress when I hear soft footsteps approaching. A form-fitting pink dress that finishes just above the knee and accentuates my curves. The desire to look my best for him is odd and yet after last night, I’ll do anything to get a repeat.

---