Page 47 of Consider The Lilies

The she-alpha’s expression shifts from one of shock to deep lust. Her eyes fall half-hooded, and her breath quickens. My girl has always had a bit of a humiliation kink. “You should cage his dick,” she says, practically panting.

A deep chuckle pushes from my chest. “I’m glad to see you’re in a better mood.” I grab her ass, squeezing with both of my hands.

“I’m just happy there weren’t any omega emergencies today,” she tries to bait me into an argument, but I’m in too good of a mood.

“Keep it up, and Bear’s cock won’t be the only thing caged,” I cut back at the she-alpha, and she instantly purrs.

“Sir?” Jessica knocks on my open office door, and I release Yuki. “Mr. Romner is here to see you.”

“Adam Romner?” I ask, and Jessica nods. I can’t help the look of surprise on my face. Romner hasn’t left the cityin probably a decade. The fucker loves fine dining and valet parking too much to venture more than a few minutes outside the city. I can’t stand the asshole—he’s more obsessed with his image than his business—but my curiosity is piqued. “What’s he want?”

The beta shakes her head, opening her mouth as if she doesn’t know what to say.

“Where did you put him?” I pray she at least thought to take him to one of the conference rooms.

Deep worry fills Jessica’s eyes, and she ducks her head. “He’s in the entryway, sir.” I can practically smell the fear radiating off her. “I didn’t know what the protocol was.”

I want to groan loudly, but none of this is her fault. I’m the one who reassigned Lucy without giving her a chance to train the maid. “It’s okay,” I assure Jessica.

“Should I escort him back here?” she asks with a confused grimace.

“No,” I try not to sound annoyed. I never take meetings with outsiders in my office, but there’s no way for Jessica to know that. “I’ll meet him up front.”

Jessica nods, then slowly wanders off. The poor woman has looked lost all damn day.

“So…” Yuki says the second the beta disappears, “how are things working out with Jessica?” The she-alpha looks way too happy with my predicament. I’m going to have to spank her ass raw later to remind her of her place.

“I’m not sure Jessica is going to work out.” I let out a pained sigh. “She’s very efficient when it comes to my laundry and making the bed, but I fear office work isn’t for her.” I shake my head, trying to think of a solution to my staffing issue. “I need Lucy back.”

Yuki’s reaction is ever so slight. She tenses, and the muscles in her neck pull tight, but then she smiles, forcing herself torelax. “I’m sure Lucy would love a break from babysitting duty.” She moves around my desk, making her way to the door. “Just don’t throw it at Stefan last minute. Give the boy a warning.” She glances back at me over her shoulder. “Omegas aren’t known for taking surprises well.”

I glare at Yuki, not pleased with her continued criticism of the omega. Her honest opinion normally doesn’t bother me, but Stefan is different. She’s being unfair to him. He’s so calm and pleasing to be around. I would even say I find his presence comforting.

“Come on.” I grab my suit jacket off the back of my chair, then march across the room, breezing past Yuki. “Let’s see what Romner wants.”

We find the alpha right where Jessica said he’d be, along with his second-in-command, Dak. Dak is big and blond. He has three teeth in his whole head and an IQ to match. Romner, on the other hand, has a dark complexion with a shiny bald head and head-to-toe designer clothes. While he’s not exactly a brilliant mind, he can at least string together a full sentence.

“Stanley!” Romner shouts my name as I approach. He looks old as shit. It’s admittedly been a few years since I’ve seen him, but the alpha has not aged well. Deep lines etch into his forehead and around his mouth, and his eyes look tired.

“Romner.” I size him up as I button my suit jacket. The alpha is in head-to-toe black-and-white houndstooth. Jacket, slacks, and even his shoes. Only his white shirt gives my eyes a break from the chaotic pattern. He’s always had the most outlandish taste in clothes.

“Park Avenue is a little further west of here,” I say with a friendly tone as I shake the alpha’s hand. “Did you get lost?”

“I was craving some fresh air.” Romner gives me his bullshit excuse. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d see how myold friend was doing.” He smiles, pushing his hands into his pockets.

I tense at the motion, wondering if he might have a weapon on him. I’m not worried about the lanky alpha being able to best me in a fight, but the last thing I want is for him to scare the staff. There’s a time and place for violence, and that doesn’t include my entryway.

“I wasn’t aware we were friends,” I say, eyeing Dak. The big fucker stares right through me almost as if he’s bored.

“Powerful men like us are always friends until we aren’t,” Romner says like we’re a part of some kind of elite club.

“I don’t want to be rude,” I don’t really give a shit how rude I sound, “but I’m very busy today. Can we make this quick?”

Romner gives me a tense smile as his gaze shifts around the room. He eyes the grandfather clock, the twisting staircase, and the long hallway at my back. “You know,” he says, “I’ve been cooped up in a damn car all day. I’d love a smoke.” Romner doesn’t smoke. I know this for a fact because I know everything about my competition. But whatever he has to say must be very important. So important he needs time to work up the courage.

“Why don’t we step out back?” I angle my body, giving Yuki a quick glance. She immediately knows what I want, pulling out her phone and texting a few of our guys.I want backup ready, just in case.Plus, if I have to kill these two fuckers, it’ll be easier to clean up outside.

I half expect Romner to chat my ears off as we walk through the house, but the alpha doesn’t say a word.He must be nervous.And it makes me want to laugh. There was a time when I looked up to Romner. Back when I was a kid, he was a big name in our business, and I really looked up to him. But now I’m the biggest supplier in the West, and soon I’ll own the North too. It’s only a matter of time until I own every drug deal in this fucking country.

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