Page 18 of Secretary's Obsession

That wasn’t something Scott had ever done, but for his blissful one, he was willing to change that if it meant protecting him from his father. He didn’t sigh, though it was a close call when he thought about how George wasn’t really George, and he didn’t trust Scott with the truth.

If he dwelled too hard on that, he knew he would spiral back into past behaviors of believing he wasn’t good enough, and with that came the crushing urge to control everything in his vicinity. He’d already seen how George reacted to his fastidiousness.

He shut down his computer, checked the time, went into Christa’s office to leave her a message, then collected his laptop and headed for the door.

Back in the car minutes later, he gave the paramedics' address to the driver. He wasn’t sure if he was going off on a wild goose chase, but Scott needed to know why the fool had injectedGeorge to prevent him from shifting. If he needed to scare him to find out, then so be it.

He fiddled with his laptop, checking things to distract him when his cell phone rang. One look at the screen and he cursed. How the hell had they found out so fast?

“Hello, Mother,” he murmured, accepting the call, expecting some hysteria.

“Don’t you ‘hello mother’ me, I’ve heard nothing from you for weeks. Your brother’s birthday dinner arrangements were emailed to you two weeks ago, and I’ve had no response as to whether you will attend alone.”

There was no question of him not attending, despite whether Scott had other plans, but that was his family. That she hadn’t mentioned George had to mean Luka had not spilled the beans to anyone yet. Demons were notoriously bad for keeping anything to themselves.

Was this the perfect opportunity for George to meet all his family? He shuddered at the thought, but he’d never attend a family function and not take his blissful one. Someone he was proud to be with. Giving George the impression he might somehow be embarrassed to be seen with him would never do. “I work a lot of hours, Mother. Being responsible about my job takes priority over dinner arrangements, regardless of what it's for.” He knew even saying it would make no odds, but he continued to try.

“So, you’re coming alone,again.”

“No, I will have a plus one—”

“Miracles will never cease. Good, it will even up the table arrangement. Don’t be late.” She was gone before he could respond.

He groaned and considered sending a message to explain who George was to him, then decided against it. In-person was always best with his family. Always.

The car slowed, and he stowed his phone and computer. “We’re here, sir.”

Scott placed his laptop bag down. “Can you please wait? I won’t be long.” Or he hoped he wouldn’t be, especially with how his demon gave a devilish laugh, cracking his knuckles.

Chapter Ten

George

Grimacing, George pulled his new taxi into a public parking space outside of Scott’s building. He was torn. George knew the place. He’d poured many rich idiots out of his cab and onto the curb on any night ending in Y. People with more moneythan sense who spoke in their lofty tones about shit that clearly sounded great in their drunken heads, but definitely didn’t translate well when the words came out.

If George had any choice in the situation, he wouldn’t set foot in the foyer, let alone in one of the apartments. Or rather, the penthouse apartment, because Scott had texted him his address and said he would be home about four.

It was a quarter past four. Thinking about it, George felt as though it had been the longest day of his damn life. Being apart from his demon, even after just one night, was hell on earth, making George wonder how he was going to work. It’s not like he could park Scott in the back of his cab as he did his job, but he doubted he would be a lot of use curled up in a corner of Scott’s office, either.

His bear had been no help—alternating between sulking when George’s fare had him driving away from Dakata’s office and getting all hyped up if they were heading in that direction. George told his bear countless times they did not know if Scott was even there… but it didn’t make any difference.

Suck it up,George warned his inner worry wart. The one thing that consoled George over the very long day was that he’d heard demons didn’t have the same sense of attachments to mates/blissful ones that shifters did, so Scott wouldn’t be feeling any discomfort.

Admittedly, Dakata was pretty much tied to Silas every minute of every day, but that was because Silas had such a deep bondwith his tree and the forest. George was sure Merihem had gone to Dakata’s office on his own, without Peni sometimes. Dougal had told him about how Peni had been attacked at Dakata’s house while Merihem wasn’t there. So, it was possible to be separated from a blissful one, even if it wasn’t often. It was enough to prove, in George’s mind at least, that demons didn’t have that same need to be with their blissful ones that George’s bear seemed to have to be with his mate.

A need that meant he had to brave the foyer of the apartment complex from hell.

Getting out of his car, George locked it, trying to ignore how the vast apartment complex loomed above him as he got closer. Built in chrome, steel, and glass, it stood proudly above the skyline as a giant ‘fuck you’ to the more modest buildings around it. There were no trees or gardens, not a whiff of greenery. Just two white marble statues depicting ancient gods flanking the wide concrete path leading to the main entrance.

George shuddered as he got closer.Like living in a glass coffin,he thought glumly, even as his steps quickened when his bear anticipated seeing their mate.

Pushing open the large door, glass, of course, George nodded at a man standing beside a reception counter, making his way to the elevator.

“I say. You there.” George turned to address the man calling out to him. “I don’t know where you’re going, but you can’t just wander in here as if you own the place.”

“I’m heading up to the penthouse suite.” George pointed in the air with his middle finger. If the concierge got the wrong idea about his action, that was on him. “I’ve been invited, and I’m expected.”

“That demon on the top floor doesn’t have visitors. More importantly, he hasn’t informedmehe’s expecting visitors,” the concierge said in that snooty tone that made George’s teeth clench. “It’s bad enough I’ve spent half the day arranging carriage for his numerous parcels. He insisted on them being delivered today when he knows the delivery day is Friday. Frankly, sir, piss off. I’m not losing my job because you got it into your fool head to go annoying people who protect their privacy like it’s gold.”

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