Page 20 of Howl You Doin?
“What?” she quips and is no doubt batting her lashes at him in feigned innocence.
“Nothing,” he answers with a sigh. “Fine, Doyle. Do whatever you want for the month, but after that, we run things my way.”
“Funny. That’s exactly what I had planned in the first place.” The line goes dead, so I toss the phone on my desk and collapse back into my worn leather chair. What a fucking day. I inhale sharply and rotate my shoulders, then clasp my hands behind my head.
With a heavy sigh, I mentally go over all the things I need to attend to tomorrow.
The costumes themselves will take time, and there are only a few short weeks before the gala to prepare.
Chapter 6
Connor O’Doyle
Unwanted visitors suck.
The door creaks loudly,and I scowl at the large man who walks into the study as if he didn’t nearly set my entire business venture back months only weeks ago.
“Connor,” Frank says in greeting, his voice nonchalant, despite having just broken into my home and study.
“Frank, what the fuck are you doing here?” I groan, still seated at my desk, attempting to work out what exactly is happening to my body. I’m in no condition to speak to anyone while I wait to see what reaction I will have to the new medicine Jekyll sent.
“I came for a late-night visit,” Frank says, still half hidden in shadow.
“Oh, I am not receiving visitors.” I hope it’s a very short visit, because I don’t have the time to deal with Frank.
He chuckles and steps further into the room.
“You know Vlad isn’t here,” I tell him, shaking my head at the painted ceiling. Why am I surrounded by people who refuse to listen?
“I know perfectly well where he is. Him and his humanmate, as it turns out. I suppose it’s all for the best then that he is on my yacht. The idiot still hasn’t figured out this is all in my plan to make amends.”
I snort at the idea of Frank moving Vlad and Aubrey around like chess pieces. “You mean the Maldives?”
“Exactly. Aubrey won a box set of tickets to the Maldives. All-inclusive too. Who would have thought?” His shark-like eyes focus on me, giving me that dead-fish stare.
“You are sick,” I announce, aware that if Vlad knew, he would be livid.
“Don’t worry, I have nothing against Aubrey now that we know she is his mate. She’s practically family, and I am no threat to her. All will be well.” He waves a hand as if this makes up for everything that has happened.
“You shut down the castle for three whole days,” I bite out, yellow flashing in my mind at the reminder as my body tenses for a fight, the monster inside me triggered by his closeness.
The giant raises his head, rotates his shoulders as a loud popping sound emits, and groans in satisfaction. “I have always loved this room,” he says, looking up at the ceiling, his gaze trailing over the many shelves of books and antiquities.
“What are you doing here, Frank, if not for Aubrey?” I ask, wanting to get it over with since it’s obvious he won’t be leaving until he has his say.
His expression hardens. “Playing dumb, Connor? I never pegged you as someone who shies away once he’s been caught.”
I sit up at that. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Caught?”
He scoffs, and his massive hands go behind his back. I realize then he’s not joking. Who am I kidding? Frank would have to have a sense of humor for that to happen.
“You’re serious? You think I’ve done something to you?” I blurt in disbelief. “The idea is ridiculous in itself. Cut the bullshit and tell me what happened.”
He lifts a hand and a spark ignites in his palm.For fuck’s sake, can I not catch a break?
“Like you don’t know.” He unbuttons his jacket and moves to sit in the chair across the desk from me, the same one Whitley sat in hours ago. Smoke curls away from his body, filling the air.
Frank’s genetic makeup means he is a kettle, always hot, and a boil over can happen at a moment’s notice. Or that is what happens when the giant loses his temper.
