Page 40 of Wild Cub

“I got a random priority mail. Looks like no return address. I’m not expecting anything either.” You could hear a pin drop.

“Stay where you are.” He clicks off. Within seconds, he appears at the agency’s front door. Anger and frustration looms over him.

“Go ahead, he’s with me,” I tell the receptionist.

The seriousness on his face and in his eyes should scare me off, but it doesn’t.

“Alexander.” I give him a slight smile, looking up at him.

“Teresa.”

“You know, I can’t read minds. Not my superpower.”

He doesn’t laugh. “Hand it over and I’ll have Joaquin look into it.”

I shrug my shoulders. “It’s probably nothing, but I won’t stop you.”

“You are a quick learner, darlin’.” I hand him the envelope but don’t release it. The puzzled look on his face tells me I threw him off guard.

“No secrets, Alexander. I mean it.”

He just nods. “I’ll let you know if I get any news.”

I rise to my toes and kiss him softly. “You better.”

I turn to leave back up the stairs, but before I can react, he yanks me back to him, pressing our bodies closer. Grabbing the back of my head, he bends to steal another kiss. This one sets me on fire, sending sparks everywhere. The slip of his tongue leaving me in a breathless heap. I could stay here all day, if there were no eyes watching us. He pulls away, releasing a deep breath. He leans down to my ear, whispering, “Could give them a real show darlin’.”

“Nah, I want you all to myself.” I plant a chaste kiss on his cheek. Once he’s gone, I march myself back to the office with the fluttering thoughts of what I would do to that man if given the chance.Now who sounds possessive?

“Think you forgot about the pest control problem in your office,” Reva warns. Fuck. I forgot about Carla.

I make it back to my office and shut the door. “Carla, I apologize. Think someone is pranking me with fake mail. Sorry, you were saying?” I take my seat again.

“Hosting, you know, being in front of the crowd? Say yes. I think you would be perfect. Just say yes.” She is practically begging and just to shut her up, I concede.

“Fine, yes, I’ll host.” As much as I don’t want to, I’ll try to put on a smile if it gets her the fuck out of my office.

“Oh, goodie! Wait until I tell Sheldon.” She prances out of my office. I lean back in my chair, twisting my claddagh ring before getting back to work. The one that sits on my right hand with the heart pointing out, he hasn’t turned it the other way, but time will tell.

I finish the day on time and give myself a breather from falling down the rabbit hole again. Fresh eyes, fresh mind. I grab my things and let myself out of the office.

“Miss Tessa, Miss Tessa! I’m glad I caught you.” I’d know that voice anywhere. I mutter to myself, cursing that I didn’t leave earlier.

I turn and face him, holding my keys in my hand, hopefully showing him that I was getting ready to leave for the day.

“Jeremiah, buddy. I’m seeing you more times in the last two months than I did all last year. What can I do for you?” I grit through my teeth.

He doesn’t beat around the bush. “Listen, I was doing my rounds, like you know I do, and I told you I keep an eye out for anything sketchy. Anyway, I told Ms. Aggie. Did she talk with you? I know she did, she told me.” He starts to ramble.

“Jeremiah, a point needs to be made,” I interrupt him. After a long day, I can’t think anymore.

“Yes ma’am, yes ma’am. Look, I seen them take them.”

“Them who?” I put emphasis on the who. Knowing Jeremiah, it’s like a dog chasing their tail.

“The people I warned you about. I especially seen them by the tracks, you know, people be camping near there and everything. They convince people they have jobs and housing, and you know, some people are desperate. You and I both know how long those waiting lists are, Ms. Tessa. You have to do something about it.” His last words echo in my ears, stunning me.

“What would you have me do? Jeremiah, I know this is a problem, but we need evidence, you know that, before we can take this anywhere. I have people looking into it. ” I release my answer, and it feels like a bubble has finally burst.

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