Page 47 of Obsessed Wolf Daddy

"You didn't believe me," she replies quietly. "I can imagine you'd be surprised, but to outright not believe me and side with her publicly..." She trails off, seeming to search for the right words.

"I know, baby, I do," I say, knowing I have to tread carefully. "I jus—"

"All my life," she interrupts, "I've been surrounded by strong men. My brother and Diego practically raised me. They'regood,strong men. My dad was the opposite—strong but abusive." My mind reels as she continues, "I'm not even going to include Terrance in this, but he thought he could take what he wanted from me. And you? You're strong, too dominant for Diego's pack. I thought my wolf felt comfortable with yours, but now I see I'm not your equal, and I don't think you respect anyone who isn't."

I shake my head. "Let's keep business out of this. I want you, Saffy."

She laughs sadly. "I'm not doubting that, but I want more than simply being wanted because the mating bond is driving you. That's not why you wanted Carmela. You're impressed with her."

"And I’m not impressed with you?" I scoff.

Saffy looks down, unable to maintain my gaze. "I don't want to blow this whole thing up. Take the presentation, speak to whoever you need to speak to." She hesitates for a moment. "Tanya's reached out to some contacts about the program. She thinks the government might have an interest. But I'll wait to hear what you have to say."

With that, she dips under my arm and presses the button on the table, unlocking the door.

"Saffy, wait,” I plead. “Don't walk away."

"I think I need to," she says sadly. "I can't be with you like this. But I don't want to hurt Brite Corp, either."

I sit in the conference room long after she leaves, my cell phone resting in front of me as my mind filters through my options. Never have I felt so conflicted over how to proceed. One thing is clear, though. I grab my cell, dialing Carmela's number. Her sultry tone echoes through the room as the call connects, but I cut her dead.

"Really?” I bark at her. “Doing a deal with a would-be rapist to steal technology? That's a new low for you. More than that, though, it's stupid."

She has the audacity to laugh. "Oh my goodness, Cole, has that little intern been trying to claim credit? Again?"

"I'm sending you a file, Carmela. It has all the evidence. You really didn't know who you were messing with or who she had in her corner, but you do now. Say goodbye to Annie and get out of town. We'll discuss future visits when I've calmed the fuck down. I'll manage damage control at this end."

I hang up and then notify security that Carmela will need help with her luggage. I don't trust myself to see her right now, but I instruct security and the nanny to take Annie to say goodbye to her mom and then bring her to the office. In the meantime, I sit back and watch Saffy's presentation again.

I'm such a fucking idiot. If this blows up, it will do serious harm to my company now that we've already announced the technology, but I find I care far less about that than the woman who just walked out on me.

I call Jonah. “Are you still in touch with that hot lawyer of yours from Mateo’s pack? Maria?”

There’s silence for a moment. “Erm, sort of.” He pauses for a moment. “I can call her, though.”

I sense his reluctance, but I ignore it. “Call her. I need a contract drawn up quietly.”

Chapter 24 - Saffy

The cabin is quiet, which is good because I really don't want to see anyone. I spent all night running through my conversation with Cole. And the kiss. The one seared into my heart.

I know my presentation was solid. The pep talk that Tanya and Charlotte gave me just before we began boosted my confidence. The evidence was irrefutable, but I'm less clear about how Cole and Brite Corp will respond. Tanya thinks they'll attempt to keep the scandal under wraps and perhaps still work with Carmela's company on a global launch. Her exact words to me were, “Billionaires only care about the bottom line, Saffy.”

She thinks Cole will make me an offer, but one that buries my involvement. After all, I'm just an intern, and something on this scale will need professional backing. She's not giving up, though. Her friend at the FBI deals with government contracts, and she's been busy setting up a meeting for next week.

I told Cole I didn't want to hurt Brite Corp's reputation, and I meant it. I need to see what he does first.

Despite feeling resolved, I also feel miserable. I know Cole wanted me to say nothing has changed, but it has. I saw it when he didn't care that my laptop had been stolen, but I put it down to him being angry over Terrance. It was when he openly sided with Carmela that I realized we're not equals. How can we be? I'm a small-town girl who works at the local store and has just finished college...and he's a billionaire tech innovator.

It was never going to be equal. But I also never expected to feel so small and disregarded. That's the way my parents behaved before Zack managed to get me away from them. It took him and me a long time to unpack their trauma. I don't ever want to feel diminished again.

Cole's wolf is so dominant that I'm not sure I’d be able to find any peace in our bond. It would always be about his needs.

I rub the sleep out of my eyes as I approach the kitchen, feeling drained. I start a fresh pot of coffee, grateful for the quiet. With my back turned to the door, I hear the latch and look over my shoulder.

Zack enters, carrying some fresh logs. He puts them by the fire and eyes me with concern. "You doing okay?"

Despite raising me for years and helping to put me back together after the damage our parents inflicted, Zack and I aren't the type to sit around talking about our feelings. I know he's there for me, but he's also the pack beta and has a lot on his plate. Right now, he's looking at me like he's worried I might combust in front of him.

---