Page 38 of Prospecting

“I just wanted to see Sheridan,” Hazel said slyly.

“Mom, I’ve transferred what I can. You will have to cover the rest,” Sheridan said.

“You only sent six hundred,” Hazel said. “I’ll have to take the outfits back for Frannie. She won’t have enough.”

“I’ve drained my accounts,” Sheridan said. “I don’t have anymore.”

“How much more do you need,” Cade asked.

“Four hundred,” Hazel said.

“I’ll have Calli advance you the amount,” Cade said. “There will be a deduction from your pay until it’s paid back. If you need assistance with budgeting, you should go to Calli.”

“I don’t,” Hazel said her face red and splotchy. “This was an extra expense for Frannie.”

***

“I’ve given them the advance,” Calli said. “Louis seemed confused and upset.”

“I can’t help that,” Cade said. “Did you stress this was a one-time thing?”

“Yes,” Calli said. She rubbed her growing belly. “I’m not seeing a lot of new things for Frannie. At least not a thousand credits worth.”

“Can you find out what’s going on,” Cade asked.

“Does Sheridan know why they lost their jobs,” Calli asked.

“The owners sold the company,” Cade said frowning.

“No, they didn’t,” Calli said. “Hazel dipped into funds she shouldn’t have.”

“What is she doing with all the funds,” Cade asked. “Why weren’t they prosecuted?”

“Louis paid them back,” Calli said. “He’s stressed and worried.”

“I have to talk to Sheridan,” Cade said.

“Not an easy conversation,” Calli said. “Considering all she did to get them out of trouble.”

***

Tappn lay the little girl in her crib. She murmured and fussed a little, but he patted her back. As she settled, he withdrew gently careful not to wake her. He smelled Mia, knew she waited for him to turn.

“You spend more time with my daughter than you do me,” Mia said, frowning. She was jealous of her own daughter.

“I told you,” Tappn said.

“I have to submit to you,” Mia said. “You think you will own me. He owned me and look what happened.”

“Not own,” Tappn said turning to her. He saw her dressed in a revealing nightgown, low cut, high slit to show her legs. His gut tightened, his jaw worked while he struggled to control his desire. It was getting harder. “You’re my mate. I’ve explained what it means. I told you it was your choice.”

“You want children,” she said. “He wanted children. When I got pregnant, he got rid of me.”

“These are my conditions” he said quietly. “I’m being very clear with you, Mia. You will come to me when you’re ready to meet these conditions.”

“Tell me again,” she demanded.

“You will come to me of your own free will. Once you are mine, it is forever,” he said. “There’s no going back. I’m Sinivite. Once we choose our mate, we never stray, and we don’t allow our mates to stray. We will have children. Multiple children. Frannie will legally become my daughter. She won’t be owned by anyone. Ever. Not you and certainly not him. You will be mine and only mine, but I won’t own you and will never sell you. If he isn’t out of your system, don’t come to me.”

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