Page 52 of Greedy Grizzly
Maybe it was time I stopped hiding in my dark corner and stepped into the light. As scary as it sounded to take my mask off and reveal my true self, it also sounded liberating.
“All right. Church is over. Go home to your families. Or find your favorite Kitten.” He hit the mallet on the table.
Chairs scraped against the wooden floor as everyone left the meeting room. Storm and Toby stayed behind. I prayed it had nothing to do with me.
Storm closed the door, then turned around. He was between Toby and I, which felt strange. “I’m not supposed to say anything. But lately, I can’t seem to keep my fuckin’ mouth shut.”
Oh, shit! He was going to call me out on my feelings for Toby.
“Then let’s hear it,” Toby replied, while I tried to not have a panic attack.
“Whatever Libby tells you both, just be there for her. You have my permission to go with her,” Storm told us, sounding very cryptic. He pinched his face tight as if showing compassion physically made him ill.
“I’m confused.” Toby moved closer to Storm. “What’s going on with Libby?”
“I promised Angel I wouldn’t say anything.”
“But you already have, sort of.” Toby faced Storm in a formidable stance.
“And that’s all I’m saying.” Of course, Prez wouldn’t be easily intimidated.
“She was crying earlier. I caught her when I got back.” I shutdown my computers so I could go find Libby. If Storm knew what was going on with her, I should, too.
“Crying?” Toby asked. “Why?”
“She wouldn’t tell me, but now she has to. Prez can’t know what’s going on and not me.” I went to the door and Storm moved aside. “If you need me, I’ll be in my room.”
“Same,” Toby told him, as he followed me out of the meeting room.
The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck flared. It’d been almost twenty-four hours since I’d been so close to him. His cologne teased me. The heat radiating off his body tried to possess me. I hated and loved it, all at once.
“Do you think it’s serious?” Toby asked merely a step behind me as we went upstairs.
“Yes.”
“Really?” he whispered.
“Yes.”
“Is that all you can say?” Annoyance was in his tone.
“Yes because I don’t know anything else.” I stopped at my door and knocked to alert Libby I was entering. Then I held my hand up to signal for Toby to wait.
“I’m not standing out in the hallway. I’m going inside.”
“No you’re not. It’s my suite.”
“Oh, please. I’ve been in here before.” He put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Nothing is going to happen between us.”
“Will you keep your voice down?” My stomach churned and I felt like I might throw up, the same way I did when the old ladies cooked up walleye. I didn’t like seafood, especially the scent.
Why was Toby being so stubborn? He’d been in my room with Libby. But the two of us, or the three of us had never been inside all together. He should respect my request, but no. His alpha side was coming out, and just like that, he made me freak the fuck out.
“What’s going on?” Libby appeared at the door.
“We need to talk.” I slipped past her and went to sit on a chair. The bed was the last place I wanted to be when Toby was nearby.
“Me, too.” Toby entered my sanctuary.
