Page 21 of Filthy Rich Bosses

Before I can respond to Tessa, Juniper interjects, her voice sharp and cold. "Mr. Harrington can't just rearrange his entire schedule because you demand it, Miss Morrow. He has important matters to attend to."

I glance between the two women, feeling the tension crackle in the air. Juniper's posture is rigid, her fingers clenched tightly around her tablet. Tessa, on the other hand, stands her ground, her chin tilted up defiantly.

"This is important," Tessa counters, her eyes never leaving mine. "Zeus's well-being affects everyone in this household."

I rub my temples, the headache intensifying. "Juniper," I say, my voice weary, "I think we're done for the day. You can head home."

Juniper's eyes widen in disbelief. "But sir, we haven't finished—"

"We'll pick it up tomorrow," I interrupt, holding up a hand. "Thank you for your work today."

As Juniper gathers her things, I catch the look of dismay on her face. It tugs at me, but I push the guilt aside. I need to focus on one problem at a time.

Juniper pauses at the door, shooting Tessa a withering glare. I expect Tessa to react, but she merely stands there, unfazed, her attention still on me.

"Zeus needs you, Grayson," Tessa says once we're alone, her voice softer but no less insistent. "If he's going to succeed in his training, he needs to see you as part of his pack."

I lean back in my chair, conflicted. Part of me wants to retreat into work, but another part—a part I've been ignoring for too long—knows she's right.

"What exactly do you want me to do?" I ask, my resolve weakening.

“I just need you to be part of the training. I can direct you every step of the way for now, but you need to be present.”

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "Fine," I concede, pushing away from my desk. "Let me change into something more suitable."

As I slip into a pair of well-worn jeans and a comfortable T-shirt, I can't help but wonder how I've let myself get so caught up in work that I've neglected other important aspects of my life. The soft cotton against my skin feels like a small rebellion against the stuffy confines of my suit.

I make my way downstairs and out to the back lawn, the late afternoon sun warming my face. Tessa's waiting for me, her dark cherry hair glinting in the golden light. But my momentary peace evaporates when I spot Chase lounging nearby, his presence an unwelcome surprise.

"Thought you'd left," I mutter, unable to keep the irritation from my voice.

Chase's lips curl into that infuriating smirk of his. "And miss all the fun? Not a chance, old man."

I shoot him a look that could curdle milk, but he just shrugs it off with his typical nonchalance. Then, to my disbelief, he saunters over to Tessa and pulls her into a deep, sensuous kiss. His eyes never leave mine, a clear challenge in their depths.

"Good luck with your training," Chase murmurs to Tessa as he pulls away, but his gaze is still locked on me. "Don't let the grumpy bear work you too hard."

As he strolls off, whistling, I clench my fists at my sides. "Was that really necessary?" I growl at him, hating the jealousy that burns in my gut.

Tessa raises an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "Focus, Grayson. We're here for Zeus, remember?"

I take a deep breath, trying to push aside my irritation. Tessa's right. This is about Zeus, about Sarah. I need to focus.

"All right," I say, tapping my fingers against my thigh. "What's the plan?"

Tessa's eyes light up, her passion for her work evident. "First things first, we need to establish you as the pack leader. Zeus needs to see you as his new authority figure."

She gestures to where Zeus is lying in the shade of a large oak tree, his ears perked in our direction.

"How exactly do we do that?" I ask, eyeing the German Shepherd warily.

"Body language is key," Tessa explains, demonstrating a confident posture. "Stand tall, shoulders back. Project calm authority."

I mimic her stance, feeling a bit foolish. "Like this?"

She nods approvingly. "Good. Now, we'll start with some basic commands. But remember, it's not just about the words. It's about the energy you're projecting. Mostly, though, it’s about how you feel. He can feel everything you’re feeling, Grayson."

As we begin, I can't help but feel out of my depth. Zeus watches us with intelligent eyes, and I swear I can see skepticism in them.

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