Wolf with Benefits
Page 40
Her long legs up on the table, her long black hair streaked with white and orange-red strands, Cella Malone crossed her arms over her chest and took in a deep breath before asking, They want Novikov in a cage?
Yes. Um . . . before and after the game, and during, uh, half-time.
And you agreed to that?
No.
What did you agree to?
Toni, getting the feeling shed screwed up, admitted, Nothing.
Did you negotiate?
No.
Why not?
Toni glanced around at the table full of people and said, Didnt know I was supposed to.
Did you at least say no?
No.
Then Yurithe Moscow coachthinks you agreed.
But I didnt agree.
But you didnt say you didnt agree.
But I didnt say I agreed, either.
Yuri wont care. As far as hes concerned, well be putting Novikov into a cage. Not that I blame the man. Its been a few years, but that poor bear is still recovering from what Novikov did to him. But Novikov isnt going into a cage. And were not playing the Siberian team without him, because I dont like to lose. And playing against a team made up of polars, tigers, and a couple of foxes is what nightmares are made of. Cella sighed and shook her head. Ill call Yuri myself.
No, no. Toni shook her head and fought her desire to shift to jackal and start chewing on the furniture out of anxiety. I can deal with it.
Yeah, one of the department heads cut in. You did such a great job already with Novikov in a cage and everything.
Toni glared across the table at a fellow canine, a red fox, but she bit back her automatic, Kyle-like response.
Im sure, Toni tried to insist to Cella, that I can handle this. I just need you to
Could you guys get out? Cella asked everyone else.
The other department heads quickly left, leaving Toni alone with the big She-cat. She was really a stunning beauty, but Toni couldnt ignore those knuckles of hers. They were bloody and torn, like shed just been in a fight. And everyone knew about the Malones. A tiger family of one-time Irish Travelers who had a very tough reputation among shifters. So Toni really didnt want to get on the wrong side of this woman.
Look, kid, Cella began. I know youre new to this, but you need to step it up. Ive got a lot going on, she complained, rubbing her forehead. And a killer headache. I mean you did a great job with Novikov and with Bert. Better than anyone else. Plus you got Ric Van Holtzs stamp of approval. All of these are good things. But dont think for a minute that your connection with Van Holtz is going to protect you. You dont get this job right . . . Imfiring your ass and Van Holtz isnt going to override my decision. So step up your game.
Toni nodded. Yes. Of course.
And, sweetie . . . what are you wearing?
Toni glanced down at her mothers suit. A business suit.
Why? Are you selling insurance?
Well . . . I . . .
The bottom line is . . . you look uncomfortable. And uncomfortable to shifters means weakness. You dont want these guys thinking youre weak. They will stomp all over you. So grow a backbone, wear something youre actually comfortable in, and Ill handle Yuri for now. Okay?
Yes.
Good. Cella swung her legs off the table, swiped up her papers, and walked out of the conference room.
Alone now, Toni dropped her head on the table. Not even lunch yet and she wanted to walk into traffic.
This had been a huge mistake. Huge. Gigantic. What had she been thinking? And even worse, shed been getting calls and texts from her siblings all morning. It seemed that everything was currently a mess at home and now here. All because of her, as far as she was concerned.
Hi!
Tonis head snapped up and she looked at the woman standing in the doorway.
Im Kerri, the woman said, her smile bright.
Toni nodded.
Your secretary. Oh, God. She had a secretary now? What for? Although I prefer admin, if thats okay. Or assistant. Whatever. The woman was so . . . perky. She couldnt possibly be a shifter.
Yeah, she said, as if reading Tonis mind. Im a full-human. Married to a wonderful hyena. I love his Clan. You know, when I first met him, I totally thought he was a woman, just big-boned, but then I found out hes actually a man. He laughs at everything, like at my cousins funeral, which was awkward, but I just adore him. So youre a . . . She pointed a finger at her. Jackal, right?
Toni nodded. Thats so cool! I wish I were a shifter. Being full-human is okay. I mean Im healthy and not unattractive. But to be able to shift into an entirely different species . . . thats so cool!
Uh-huh.
Anyway, your office is finally ready.
Office? The bobcat had put her at a desk not far from his own, and Toni hadnt thought much about it. It was small but would do for her purposes.
Floyd didnt tell you, right? Kerri asked with an eye roll. Typical. You started so quickly after being hired that we didnt have much time to set up your office. And I was making sure it was all going perfectly, so Im very sorry I wasnt there to greet you when you got in and that you had to deal with Floyd. She stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. Seconds later, her big smile returned. Okay! So lets go see your new office!
Yes. Um . . . before and after the game, and during, uh, half-time.
And you agreed to that?
No.
What did you agree to?
Toni, getting the feeling shed screwed up, admitted, Nothing.
Did you negotiate?
No.
Why not?
Toni glanced around at the table full of people and said, Didnt know I was supposed to.
Did you at least say no?
No.
Then Yurithe Moscow coachthinks you agreed.
But I didnt agree.
But you didnt say you didnt agree.
But I didnt say I agreed, either.
Yuri wont care. As far as hes concerned, well be putting Novikov into a cage. Not that I blame the man. Its been a few years, but that poor bear is still recovering from what Novikov did to him. But Novikov isnt going into a cage. And were not playing the Siberian team without him, because I dont like to lose. And playing against a team made up of polars, tigers, and a couple of foxes is what nightmares are made of. Cella sighed and shook her head. Ill call Yuri myself.
No, no. Toni shook her head and fought her desire to shift to jackal and start chewing on the furniture out of anxiety. I can deal with it.
Yeah, one of the department heads cut in. You did such a great job already with Novikov in a cage and everything.
Toni glared across the table at a fellow canine, a red fox, but she bit back her automatic, Kyle-like response.
Im sure, Toni tried to insist to Cella, that I can handle this. I just need you to
Could you guys get out? Cella asked everyone else.
The other department heads quickly left, leaving Toni alone with the big She-cat. She was really a stunning beauty, but Toni couldnt ignore those knuckles of hers. They were bloody and torn, like shed just been in a fight. And everyone knew about the Malones. A tiger family of one-time Irish Travelers who had a very tough reputation among shifters. So Toni really didnt want to get on the wrong side of this woman.
Look, kid, Cella began. I know youre new to this, but you need to step it up. Ive got a lot going on, she complained, rubbing her forehead. And a killer headache. I mean you did a great job with Novikov and with Bert. Better than anyone else. Plus you got Ric Van Holtzs stamp of approval. All of these are good things. But dont think for a minute that your connection with Van Holtz is going to protect you. You dont get this job right . . . Imfiring your ass and Van Holtz isnt going to override my decision. So step up your game.
Toni nodded. Yes. Of course.
And, sweetie . . . what are you wearing?
Toni glanced down at her mothers suit. A business suit.
Why? Are you selling insurance?
Well . . . I . . .
The bottom line is . . . you look uncomfortable. And uncomfortable to shifters means weakness. You dont want these guys thinking youre weak. They will stomp all over you. So grow a backbone, wear something youre actually comfortable in, and Ill handle Yuri for now. Okay?
Yes.
Good. Cella swung her legs off the table, swiped up her papers, and walked out of the conference room.
Alone now, Toni dropped her head on the table. Not even lunch yet and she wanted to walk into traffic.
This had been a huge mistake. Huge. Gigantic. What had she been thinking? And even worse, shed been getting calls and texts from her siblings all morning. It seemed that everything was currently a mess at home and now here. All because of her, as far as she was concerned.
Hi!
Tonis head snapped up and she looked at the woman standing in the doorway.
Im Kerri, the woman said, her smile bright.
Toni nodded.
Your secretary. Oh, God. She had a secretary now? What for? Although I prefer admin, if thats okay. Or assistant. Whatever. The woman was so . . . perky. She couldnt possibly be a shifter.
Yeah, she said, as if reading Tonis mind. Im a full-human. Married to a wonderful hyena. I love his Clan. You know, when I first met him, I totally thought he was a woman, just big-boned, but then I found out hes actually a man. He laughs at everything, like at my cousins funeral, which was awkward, but I just adore him. So youre a . . . She pointed a finger at her. Jackal, right?
Toni nodded. Thats so cool! I wish I were a shifter. Being full-human is okay. I mean Im healthy and not unattractive. But to be able to shift into an entirely different species . . . thats so cool!
Uh-huh.
Anyway, your office is finally ready.
Office? The bobcat had put her at a desk not far from his own, and Toni hadnt thought much about it. It was small but would do for her purposes.
Floyd didnt tell you, right? Kerri asked with an eye roll. Typical. You started so quickly after being hired that we didnt have much time to set up your office. And I was making sure it was all going perfectly, so Im very sorry I wasnt there to greet you when you got in and that you had to deal with Floyd. She stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes. Seconds later, her big smile returned. Okay! So lets go see your new office!
