"Oh, well, someone won a lottery of one point six billion dollars. Whoever that was is supposed to be coming in today to claim their winnings. The media is circling the building like sharks."
Leon's eyebrows rose. "One point six billion dollars?"
The guard nodded.
"Damn."
The guard chuckled. "Right?"
"Can you imagine having that kind of money?"
Another car pulled up behind them. The guard glanced up then tapped the roof of the car. "Make sure you check in at the lobby."
"We will," Leon assured him.
"Have a good day."
As soon as the man stepped back, Leon started driving again. He wound through the parking garage until he found an empty spot then pulled in and turned the car off. No one said anything as they climbed out of the car and started for the elevators.
Once they were inside, however… "They're going to know something is up when we don't show up at this law office you mentioned." George felt that needed to be pointed out.
"We do have an appointment with them."
"We do?" That was news to George.
"We do. We just won't be making that appointment."
"How did you even know this law office was in the building?"
"That's what I do." Leon grinned. "I suspected something like this would happen with the media, so I checked to see what businesses were housed in the building. A law office on the same floor as lottery headquarters seemed like our best bet."
George just stared. Leon seemed to be amazing at his job. He anticipated things George didn't even think of. That would be why Leon was the secret agent and George was the book reader.
When they reached the lobby, they signed in just as the guard had told them to then headed for the elevators. George swallowed hard, his eyes darting around. He knew not all of these people moving about were here for business. There just weren't that many businesses in the building. Some had to be media.
He didn't breathe a sigh of relief until the elevator doors closed with just him, Leon, Uncle Allan, and Ford inside. His insides were doing loops, but at least no one else was there to see him fall apart.
George shuddered when Leon gripped the back of his neck. The man's hot breath blew out across his cheek.
"It's almost over, George," Leon whispered into his ear. "Just hold it together a little longer."
George gave a curt nod then pulled away. He knew he'd never be able to hold it together if his mate didn't stop touching him. He was holding on by a thread right now as it was.
Leon frowned, but went back to simply standing next to him. George knew Leon didn't understand the cold shoulder he was giving him, not after the night they'd shared, but he wasn't about to explain it to a human who wouldn't understand, and probably wouldn't care if he did.
When the elevator doors slid open on the tenth floor, George practically jumped out. He quickly drew fresh clean air into his lungs. Being in an enclosed space like that, his mate's heady scent had been everywhere, surrounding him, sinking into his skin. It had been all he could do not to shove Leon up against the wall and take what he ached for.
Leon still had a frown on his face when he waved his hand down the corridor. "We're right down here."
George waited until Leon passed him before following after the guy. He knew Leon was staying close to protect him, but he just couldn't bring himself to walk so close. Even out in the corridor, Leon's scent was driving him crazy.
George clenched his hands when fur sprouted up on his arms. His bear was feeling his agitation and his overwhelming desire for his mate. The two warring emotions were creating havoc for both of them. If George wasn't careful, he'd fur out.
Ford grabbed his arm. "Keep it together, cuz," Ford whispered low enough that only George could hear him. "Once this is all over, I'll take you out for a run."
George swallowed tightly and gave his cousin a nod to let him know he'd been heard. He doubted he could speak at the moment. He'd probably start roaring.
When a man with a cell phone stepped out of an office ahead of them and started walking down the corridor, Leon reached back and grabbed George's hand. "Come on, babe," he said in a rather loud voice. "The lawyer's office is down here at the end of the hallway."
The man gave them a curious look, but when Leon led them past the lottery headquarters, he kept walking toward the elevator. The second the elevator doors slid closed after the man, Leon swung them back around and quickly ushered everyone inside the office of lottery headquarters.
He gestured to the receptionist. "You're up, George."
Yeah, okay, no pressure there.
George plastered what he hoped was a friendly smile on his face and walked up to the receptionist. "Hi, my name is George Carver. I have a winning lottery ticket, and I would like to claim my winnings."
