Page 23 of Polestar
Sascha let go of Ortega and moved away without another word.
He glanced up at movement across the room.Connor and Burns waited by the door.
“Time to go,” he whispered by Ortega’s shoulder.
She turned to look up at him, eyes haunted, as she acknowledged his words with a nod.
In that instance, he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and give her the comfort she’d given so many others this day.
Instead, he followed her out of the room to join the others who’d moved out into the hall.They both studied Ortega with grim expressions.Burns rubbed Ortega’s shoulder, but said nothing.
They walked back to the car and Magnus drove them back to Kane’s estate.
Each team member was silent as they reflected on their day’s work, mentally preparing for the next.
“You’retellingmewelost another fucking ship?”Adolf Wulker’s heart pounded as he stared at his subordinate.
“Yes, sir, but we used our connections to put up some jurisdictional roadblocks.They shouldn’t be able to trace the ship’s point of origin.”
“But another ship, with all of its cargo, is lost.That shipment had a very particular order for a very important client.”Wulker’s fist slammed the top of his solid oak desk, making loose objects jump and rattle.
“How did we lose it in the first place?”He held up a hand, stopping the other man from speaking.“No.Never mind, I don’t care.This careless loss of merchandise is going to stop.Now.See to it.”
The assistant dry-swallowed and croaked.“Yes, sir.”
Wulker waved him away.
“An unfortunate by-product of any trade business.A reasonable insurance write-off.”The forgotten blonde woman in the corner of the room said, as she rose to her feet.
Recalling her presence, Wulker scowled at her.“This one was lost inyourterritory.”
She breezed toward him.“My brother was aboard that ship, but I trust he’ll have evacuated with the crew, yes?”
He couldn’t help himself.Despite his annoyance, desire surged through him as his gaze swept her pouty lips, full breasts, narrow waist, and generous hips.
Adolf nodded.
“I’ll talk to my people,” she murmured, pressing her soft breasts to his chest.
Unable to resist, his hand drifted down her waist to her ass and groped as she leaned in to kiss him.As his arousal grew, his hand shifted, splitting into two distinct tentacles extending from his cuff, drifting lower down her hip.One encircled her thigh, the other drifted up under the hem of her short skirt, teasing.
She moaned.
He grinned, enjoying the power he had over her.
He stepped back, releasing her.His limbs merged, returning to human form.“Set up a meeting.We need to discuss a change in procedure.”
She frowned at the extra space he put between them.“Of course.”
“Impress the importance that this meeting be face to face.”
“My former father-in-law won’t be eager for that, no matter that we’ve… persuaded him otherwise.”
“I’m well aware of how difficult he is to control, despite the formidable power of my venom’s persuasion.I’m also aware he doesn’t welcome outsiders to clan territory, nor does he like to leave his people for any length of time.As you’ve reminded me.But if he wishes to continue to provide them with security and prosperity, then he will meet with me.”
“Where and when shall I propose this meeting take place?”
“I’ll keep it simple.The stronghold.As soon as possible.”
