“Travis, Lincoln is only accepting my calls, but I’ve spoken with him at length so I know I have his approval to act how I see fit. I know you were already working on having a series of special guests do a couple of spots, so I’ve got you covered there too. I’ve secured Gemma Green for the next few nights, and as she’s about to walk in as a special guest on To Be or Knot To Be, you’ll also get exclusive crossovers into the Alpha house. Trust me, your audience will love it.”
Travis goes to argue, but in my mind, they’ve had their chance at negotiation during the dozen or so emails I had waiting for me today. Now it’s my turn. Besides, they know they’ve got a golden ticket with what we have planned. In the background I can hear Fiona getting her knickers in a twist but I talk over the top of her.
“Next Monday, Bailey Henderson starts her two-week guest spot. By the time Bailey finishes, we’ll have a clearer direction of where Lincoln stands. Between you and me, I think we all know he’s also entitled to taking some of the leave that you have all denied for so long. And look, I’m in a sharing mood today so I’ll also let you know I’ve got Hamerton McNalty running an audit on the leave entitlements that I want paid out in addition to Lincoln’s bonus.”
I take a brief pause, purely for effect, and as soon as I hear Travis open his mouth, I jump straight back into my hostile takeover.
“Now, I believe you and Alpha Stars have an agreement or something? I guess there’s no need to remind you of the breach of basic employment entitlements there. And to put it nicely, Lincoln’s aware and he’s fucked off. All in all, I’ve not only got your ass covered while your host takes a well-deserved, all expenses paid break, but I’ve also got your balls in a vice. You want to play games with any of my clients, expect me to return the favour. I’m glad we finally got to catch up on this long-awaited call.”
Travis gets all mouthy, but I cut the call instead of arguing. My call to them was unnecessary, considering they’d signed all my booking forms already. I finalised the booking for Gemma and Bailey through my agency software.
As expected, I get an instant response from Gem. A text hitting my phone even before I could count to twenty, and the photo of her smiling like a boss bitch, her big tongue stretching out to lick her nipple, is pretty telling of how stoked she is.
“I guess she’s happy?” Gabe says, slinging his arms over the back of the seat and around my neck. “Shit, Len, it’s such a turn on to hear you get so fucking vicious. Come in the back with me, and we can have a quickie.”
I go to flick off my seatbelt when my phone lights up with Bailey’s face.
“Rain check?” I mumble, distracted by knowing Bailey wants answers, disappointed I don’t get to climb in the back with Gabe.
He rubs his chin and looks off playfully. “Hmmm, hopefully Bailey talks fast. But in the meantime, I’m going to set some pack stuff up for us.”
“She doesn’t.”
“That’s okay, Len, I’ll always wait for you,” Gabe says, dragging his lips down the column of my throat before he bites me just as I pick up Bailey’s call.
“FaceTime me,” she barks as soon as I accept her call. “Please, Len!”
“Can’t. I’m in a car with other people.”
“Tell them to mind their own business. Let me see you. You’ve been avoiding me and Ineedto see you.”
“Maybe I have,” I flick the call to FaceTime and her gorgeous face fills the screen. Even on a day off, her hair looks silky smooth and salon styled, unlike mine.
The lilac is fading, the grey is looking drab, but from out of nowhere, I hear Lincoln’s voice whisper quiet, “Calm down, Pet. You are exquisite.” He’s looking at me in the mirror, liking what he sees. His eyes are full of all the things a woman wants to see in her man’s eyes.
“Lennnny!” Bailey squeals over the top of Lincoln’s sexy purr. She makes Ares stand up, searching for his second favourite girl.
“Ares, move,” I grouse, but my dog has such a crush on Bailey. I have to hold the phone so she can talk doggie with him for a few minutes or he’ll pester me until I do. It’s hideously cute to watch the way his head tips from one side to the other as she talks away to him. But after a few minutes, I shove him out the way. He sits back down between me and Valak.
“Right, update. Now. Like what the actual fuck? Did you fall off the goddamn planet?”
“Who’s with you?” I ask, staring right at her.
“No one.”
“Bullshit, Bailey.” I turn my stare into a glare, and she crumbles within moments. Making me grin.
She rolls her eyes dramatically before she concedes. “Ashton. But he’s upstairs making dinner.”
“Show me,” I demand, because I’d put money on him not being in a different room. She and her pack are joined at the hip. Although all of a sudden I have an appreciation of her need to have them near her all the time.
And then Ashton’s face pops into view. He waves quickly before disappearing again, but he must grab her because the screen moves like they fall. Once she’s back, you can see they’re cuddling in bed. She laughs at the look on my face. “Shut up. We’re having a catnap. Ash’s giving me a massage.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Show me who you’re with then,” she challenges, the smile on her face so cheeky it makes me smile, but I ignore her request which makes her glare playfully at me.
“Where are you?” she asks, digging for information, instead of the small scraps I’m giving her. “Why are you being so difficult, Len?”
