Page 12 of My Orc Billionaire
I snorted, the closest I was going to get to a laugh. “I can cover fines.”
But did Iwantto? Did I want to bribe protesters and pay fines to allow me to continue torape the land? It was something I’d been struggling with lately, and I had no answers.
With a sigh, I stood up, turning my back to the desk—and the phone—and crossing my arms as I looked out over the cliffs. “You still there?”
Garrak hummed. “Always. Just wondering if you’re okay.”
Was I?
Of course I was.
The male was just talking about the mine and the protesters. He thought there was something wrong with me, I guess. He had no idea the turmoil my mind—and my body, myKteer—had been in this last week, trying to work withherscent in the house.
“I’m fine.”
“Yeah, boss, but it’s not like you to stay away from the mine for so long. You’ve been out there in Eastshore for a week.”
He was right, damn him.
I trusted Garrak with my mine, my men, my money…and after that accident which had cost him his leg, my life. We weren’t long-time friends in the way Tarkhan and I were—I’d only met Garrak eight years before—but he deserved the truth.
“Eastshore Isle is…” This late in October, the storms were frequent, the air nippy, and the clouds angry. I loved this view. “Pleasant.”
The other male hummed. “High praise indeed, boss. I suppose you’ve been enjoying the chance to spend time with your friends and brothers.”
“Yeah,” I lied.
Three of my brothers lived here on Eastshore. I’d met their Mates and could smell their happiness, but I didn’tspend timewith them. They’d chosen a life that wasn’t for me, and being around them…it didn’t make it easier. Mates, kitlings…humans. I scowled. My friends, my brothers…they’d made their choices.
And those choices made me itchy just thinking of them.
Except…there was a humanhere. Inmyspace. And she’d been here for a full week.
I couldn’t decide how I felt about that.
Hungry. You feel hungry.
Well, yes, there was that. I rolled my eyes at myself. It seemed like my little personal chef didn’t just make me itchy, she made me hungry. Ravenous, even. That female could cook, and I found myself already looking forward to whatever she’d make for dinner in a few hours.
If it stormed, I would sit at the other end of the table so I could watch the weather as I ate. It was better than scrolling through reports from my plant. I wondered whatshewould think about the storm?—
No.No, you asshole, you don’t need her opinions. Being alone is safer.
On the other end of the line, Garrak cleared his throat, and I realized I’d drifted from the conversation.Abruptly straightening away from the desk, I reached for the phone.
“Just ignore the protesters, Garrak. Tell the guys to do likewise.Do notengage, and for the love of fuck, don’t give the press any reason to hate on orcs further. I’ll brainstorm.”
“Got it, boss.” The other male was calm, unruffled, in a way I could only hope to emulate. “I’ll check in with you tomorrow with the week’s numbers.”
“Right,” I murmured in distraction. “Tomorrow.”
I hung up without sayinggoodbye, then wondered when I’d become that kind of asshole. Had money made me like that, thinking I was better than common courtesies? Or had the humans?
Grumbling at my own stupidity, I stomped to the edge of the dais. The architect had designed the large office so there was a sunken area in the center with the large board table and chairs, but my desk and the other seating near the window sat a little above. This space would be perfect for board meetings with Vengeance’s shareholders…
If I ever did that sort of thing.
So why don’t you? You told yourself—and Tark—that’s why you were building this place, to be near to the shareholders. You haven’t met with them, you haven’t spent any time with your brothers… Why are you still here?
