Page 17 of The Protégé

“Okay, we’ll talk later. I want to see that prize.”

I reach into my backpack for the brooch I’ve stolen, placing it into his hand.

Smiling, The Condor holds the brooch, studying it like a precious gem. “You did a fabulous job. Looks better than the photo you sent me.” Tears and pridegleam in his eyes. “This is a fine treasure. Keep it safe, okay? Every thief has his own treasure chest to store his favorite prizes. Here’s yours.”

A reminder buzzed on my phone, bringing me back to the present moment. I had a conference call tomorrow and a meeting with Remi and Attikus the following day to discuss The Trogyn. All the boys were monitoring various angles of the crime organization. Though we had eliminated many elite members, there were still plenty around.

CHAPTER SIX

ELENA

By the timeI got home from Let’s Ketchup, I was exhausted but too wired to sleep. I could have called in, taken a day to rest because of the extra income that I’d stumbled into, but I couldn’t do that to Mario. He’d been good to me.

After a quick shower, I crawled into bed and Orion’s gorgeous face popped into my vision. Heat swirled in my lady parts, forcing me to stay wide awake.

I had an entire week before the new gig started. What would it be like to work with an intense man like him? Was he a micromanager? Or did he trust his team to do their job?

What exactly did he need me to research, anyway?

I couldn’t deny my attraction to Orion. He probably didn’t know I existed until I smashed into his car. His type of woman hung out with celebrities and rich folks. That world was beyond me. I’d searched his name after seeing him at the museum. There wasn’t a lot of info on him. I’d browsed the few pics of him at social events with pretty women. A brunette and a blonde. An uncomfortable feeling stirred in my stomach, and Idid something against my better judgment—I compared myself to them.

Since I couldn’t sleep, I checked my Musepaper website. I’d gotten more subscribers, which meant I needed to create more content. I had plans for this newspaper, but not enough time to do everything. My energy was dwindling, but I didn’t know what to do.

Sometimes you just had to trust the universe. That it would guide you to where you need to be.

I had two articles to finish for Musepaper and continue the research I’d started for Uncover the Truth, even though I didn’t have that platform to share my results anymore. I could release my findings on Musepaper, so those families who had trusted me would get some answers.

Had Orion seen my show? Heat warmed my body as I recalled the intensity of his eyes on me. He had the potent stare that held command and secrets. Who was the real Orion Reimann beneath the fine clothing, gorgeous face, and perfect body?

The man seemed like a pressure cooker today. But I guess I was one too. We were both holding something within us. What was he trying to contain? Or was he intentionally giving off an intense energy that made those around him jitter?

Stop thinking about him.

I scrolled through the emails in the general inbox for Musepaper, browsing all the inspiring stories people had sent me. Once in a while, I’d request my readers to send me stories about their town. But that kind of request opened doors to a slew of things.

I’d gotten emails from men asking me out on dates. Some asked for relationship advice. So many people were just lonely and needed an outlet. Online dating could be a dangerous place. I’d reported on several people getting scammed, raped, or killedfrom meeting someone on a dating app. Though I also heard about happily ever afters, the terrifying ones had stayed with me.

No online dating for me.

I hadn’t dated anyone since Liam Fleming, my ex-boyfriend, who didn’t have trouble moving on to New York City to be with the heiress of a luxury handbag company. He now worked as the news anchor for the popular show World News Recap. I didn’t have her influence, and I couldn’t help his career.

Was that important to all men? Would Orion choose a woman with influence to help his career over someone he loved? Liam didn’t love me. He didn’t understand the meaning of unconditional love.

My chest ached, and I placed a hand over my heart. Though I was attracted to Orion, I couldn’t let my heart be broken again. I’d put in a lot of effort to make things work with Liam, but in the end, he chose someone else. He’d left me during a time when I was grieving for my father.

That said a lot about a man, right?

Stop thinking about him.

I hated when I couldn’t sleep late at night. All the muck from my life floated to the surface, taunting me.

To lift my mood, I browsed previous articles on Musepaper. I smiled as I reviewed the recent write-up on Stuffed Cuteness, an adorable collection of stuffed animals from Vivian’s younger sister Kaylee and their friend, Aimee. That story had gone viral and gotten me a lot of subscribers. Young girls had written to me asking for more information on Kaylee and Aimee.

My phone rang, startling me. I grinned at my best friend. “Hey, Elliot.”

“What kind of greeting is that?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

---