Page 27 of Bonded

“Diggs, sit down.” Zak grabs hold to keep him still. Based on Digby’s current state of mind, he’s afraid the pair will fight and he knows if they do then—as he discovered once before, he can’t stop it. “Darius, just leave him. He’ll be fine, I’ll keep my eye on him.”

“Hm… that’s what worries me.” Darius angrily hisses under his breath. “These Kats’?” He picks up the smaller pair of combats and tee-shirt from the bench and Zak nods. “All right, get yourselves cleaned up and dressed. Then Zak take him out. Go get drunk and take his mind off this. And get him to lose the fuckin’ attitude before he comes back. Digby, are you listening? Go find someone to jerk you off…. dump your load somewhere else, it’ll make you feel better. You’ve still got four days to get through and I need you to get it back in control. Otherwise, if you can’t… then one of you is getting dropped from the team. I can’t have this situation continue.”

“Shit… you really mean that? You’d seriously drop one of us?” He takes a breath—he’s so angry, but he also knows Darius is right, this can’t continue. He’s had enough of it himself and just wants this period of the moon month to be over.

“C’mon Diggs, take a shower and I’ll get dressed. Darius is right, we’ll go hit the club and get drunk. Let’s go do what we do best—be wolves for the night,” Zak grins. “You’ll feel better for it and then tomorrow, you can start afresh. C’mon let’s go… let’s get old Digby back. Wingman forever, right?”

“Yeah… yeah, sure. But maybe I should go give her my apology first? At least take her some clothes.” He laughs. “Fuck, she’s got a fuckin’ temper though, right?”

“Hm.” Darius frowns but he can’t disagree. “And that’s why you need to stay here. Stay away from her. Trust me, Edwards hasn’t got time for the paperwork if she murders you today. And with the mood I saw her in, you just might lose those balls you’re so proud of.” He laughs. “But you are right about one thing… she’s pretty damn feisty, I sure as hell wouldn’t wanna cross her. I imagine seeing you right now, is only going to aggravate her more so I’ll take these. I’ll catch up with you at the club later. I was supposed to be going anyway—I’ve got a blonde on special order.”

“Okay. Yeah, sure thing. Oh, and Dee… tell her I didn’t mean what I said. Tell her… well, just tell her I’m sorry.”

Chapter 8

Kat paces frantically back and forward in the limited space of her office, throwing a bouncy stress ball against the wall—unsure if it’s calming her down or winding her up as she acknowledges that her impetuous madness has left her with no clothes, and now she’s trapped here. She takes a deep breath and perching herself on the edge of the desk she scrolls through her phone messages.

“They’re all fuckin’ assholes.”

She feels invaded, Digby asking Zak to look at her phone and Zak ‘like the good little bitch he is’doing it. She can’t decide which of the pair is worse—she opts for Digby as he seems the most hated of her focused rage right now. Besides, Zak wouldn’t have had a choice, after all, anything Digby wants he gets. He would jump through a hoop with his balls on fire if Digby told him to. Kat smiles at the thought of it. Yeah, Zak is Digby’s number two in both work and life—bonded brothers, as he’d explained.

Tapping the phone against her chin, she pouts, thinking about what to do. Then, in a flurry of fingers and thumbs, she taps out a text.

Hey, Riley… Sorry I hadn’t got back to you. Works been crazy!! If the offer’s still there, I’d love to go to ‘Eves’ with you. I read some great reviews about the place but I gather getting a table can be hard so I don’t mind if we go elsewhere… or less expensive!!!? Anyway, I don’t mind. Get back to me when you can. Kat…x.

She frowns, looking at the little x, and deletes it—before adding it back.Does it say too much? I mean, I don’t need him to get the wrong idea? But then I don’t want toseem blunt. She can’t quite decide, but hits send before she changes her mind.

The response comes back immediately—like he’s been waiting for her to message.

Kat! Good to hear from you. No, it’s not a problem, a plastic surgeon friend gets a priority table, he did some work on the owner lol :)Should I book a table for later tonight? I’m free if you are?

What he doesn’t tell her is he’s not free. He’ll have to trade shifts to get tonight off, but so desperate is he to see her again—he’ll do anything. Afraid if he leaves it, she might change her mind.

Tonight?She questions if this really is such a good idea.Should I be doing this? Probably not?She exhales and then sends her reply.

Okay, sure. No problem. Should I meet you there?

She hesitates to respond—Luna’s growls of disapproval vibrate in Kat’s chest, making it ache.All right, I heard you. Just shut the hell up, I know… but it’s just dinner and not like I have to sleep with him or anything, right? Besides Digby’s being an asshole right now and… Okay, okay… I know what you’re thinking, I should talk to him. Be adults and talk it through, but… Hmm… it’ll be fine. Riley’s good company. It’ll be nice.

Again his reply is swift:

Yes, that will be great! I’ll text you a time when I know about the reservation. I can’t wait. I’m so looking forward to it. Riley xx.

The two kisses make her smile. “Well, no backing out now.”

Laying her phone next to her, she stares down looking at her bare legs dangled over the edge of the desk, and takes a moment pondering her next move. “How the hell am I going to get some clothes?” she sighs. Her spare uniform is gone from the locker, and she berates herself for forgetting to replace it before now. “Now what?” Looking again at her phone she scrolls the contacts looking for… QT! He seems the best choice to bring her some clothes and the bonus is she won’t have to endure a discussion about Digby and what just went on.

As she drafts a text to him, there’s a loud rap of knuckles at the office door.

“Ryan, go away! I don’t want to talk to you… not now,” she growls. Ignoring her instruction, the handle clicks and the door opens. “I said… Go away!”

A hand comes around the door waving a white piece of paper. “Ceasefire? It’s not Ryan, so can I come in?”

She smiles and stands up. “Yeah sure… Please come.”

“Is it safe?”

“Yeah… well, as long as Ryan’s not with you?”

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