Page 716 of Love Bites

A WARNING FROM THE SQUID

For two long days, Math waded through some very improper finances, demanding to know where the hell his clan’s money had gone from Folant Vishap, the head of Finance, who wiggled and wormed at whatever Math asked him. Finally, when he had a few spare minutes one afternoon, Math found himself nearing the door to the human resources division to discuss a rather,ahem,personal matter.

He was already mad as hell because his audit of the financial department had gone badly,exceedingly badly,so badly that he would certainly be firing Vishap and several other heads of departments for gross mismanagement. He might even bring charges against several more managers for embezzlement, if he could prove it.

As he walked, Math ground his teeth, which were sharpening in his mouth into a carnivore’s fangs. Flames trickled down from the corners of his mouth, slipping inside his shirt and curling in his wake. He was quite literally hot under the collar.

His dragon was awake and as angry as he was, snarling that someone dared siphon gold from his hoard. He needed to call the King and tell him what had been going on.

Which was going to be a difficult conversation. The King and his dragon liked thieves about as much as Math and his did. Llywelyn had headed the dragon clan and run it like an ethical and profitable business. The dens’ accounts teemed with gold.

Actually, the bank accounts teemed with black numbers, but the end result was the same.

Math let himself into Smedley O’Tentacle’s office, still fuming, literally fuming. Wisps of ashy smoke escaped his nostrils. “I have a problem that needs to be addressed. Now.”

The HR manager was scowling at his computer. “Let me guess, Mr. Draco. That entirely inexperienced witch that you hired to prepare the hotel for the angel investors isn’t working out and can’t do the job? Now you want me to hire somebody with experience and skills who can clean up this infernal mess? I checked her references. There are no references.She’s never had this level of a job in her life.”

“No, that’s not the problem. As a matter of fact, she’s doing an amazing job. She had chimpanzees and lemurs swinging from the slot machines and banisters, cleaning up all the construction trash in the main lobby. Ferrets cleaned the penthouse suites. Even though it’s only been a week, this place already looks so much better.”

“Did you hear about the glitterbomb that went off in Penthouse Four?”

“I don’t know anything about that. I have a whole other problem, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

Smedley flopped back in his seat, somewhat bonelessly. “Fine, go ahead and tell the old human resources manager everything. Don’t be shy. I’ve heard it all.”

“She’s an employee. I am the Chief Financial Officer.”

“Excellent assessment of the situation, Mr. Chief Financial Officer.”

“From what I understand, there are rules about employees of the casino dating each other.”

The human resources manager sputtered and blew coffee over his desk. At least, Math assumed the dark droplets that splattered on the calendar were coffee, though there was only a clear glass of water on Smedley’s desk, no coffee cups. Smedley said, “There certainly are rules, and they sure as magic pertain to you, Mr. CFO.”

Math flinched. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.Why?”

“I just really, really like her.”

“Do you? Do you,really?I need you to tell meright nowjust how much you like her.”

Math clenched his fists. Tendrils of fire leaked out of the corners of his mouth and warmed his lips. “Bethany is—she’s just—she’s really great. And she looks so cute when she’s concentrating so hard to do magic. And the little mice are cute, and she’s sweet with them.”

“Lots of women are cute. Date one who isn’t working for you.”

“It just feels different, somehow.”

Smedley O’Tentacle lurched to his feet. He slapped one hand, which had half-transformed into a squid’s arm, down on his desk. His suction cups squelched moistly on the wood. “Oh, no. Not on my HR watch. I have to watch you sloppy shifters all the time—”

“Hey, buddy. Watch that.”

“—Because the second your hormones go crazy and you find your fated mate, suddenly HR rules don’t apply to you.”

“I didn’t say she was my fated mate. I’m not even sure I believe in fated mates.”

“You don’t have tobelievein fated mates, Mr. Draco.It just happens.”

“I wouldknowif she was my fated mate. You can’t not-know something like that.”

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