“You say that, but I have millions at stake.”He closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face.The flash of emotion had vanished when he focused on her again.“You will stay here, where you can’t blab to anyone.”
Suzie took another step back.“No.”
“Yes.”
Suzie gulped and glanced over her shoulder to spot an impassive Angus blocking the sole exit.Her gaze turned back to the bear.His size was intimidating, and his hands looked strong enough to snap her in half without breaking a sweat, even though she wasn’t exactly petite.So sue her, but she enjoyed food.A fact her grandmother chided her about at every opportunity.
“Um, don’t you think you’re overreacting?I spent the morning working without expecting a wage in return.”She didn’t mention she’d prefer to work the entire day rather than place herself in contact with the mate-seeking shifters.Some had become positively desperate, and witnessing their extreme behavior was sad and off-putting.Not entirely their fault since they faced intense pressure from home.
“Angus will transfer your possessions to this level.You will remain confined.”
“What?No!”
He checked his shiny gold watch and frowned.“I have work.You will continue your secretarial duties since the damage is done.”
She folded her arms.“You can’t make me.”
“I can and I will.You pose a danger to my product’s future.The business is rife with espionage and other subterfuge.Outright thievery is not uncommon.”
“No.”
“Angus,” the bear said without taking his gaze off her.
“Yes, sir.I’ll arrange matters straightaway.”
“I’ll take her to her room before my scheduled video call.”
“Verra, well,” Angus said, his head inclining.He retreated and closed the door, clicking it shut.
Suzie blinked, feeling slightly dizzy.Her fertile imagination took over, sailing to cold, drafty dungeons.“You can’t be serious.”
The man ignored her protests and towed her from the office like a package, dragging her halfway along the passage before she could dig in her heels or object more strongly.
“Wait.Stop!You can’t do this.”
The bear was a cone of angry silence.Implacable.Determined.
Temper flared in her then, and she fought, using every bit of her strength.It did no good.The shifter was much stronger than her, scooping her up and draping her over his shoulder with ease.Long, ground-eating strides took him along the passage, although she continued to struggle and curse him.He rounded a corner and bounded to the end of yet another passage without breathing hard.
Suzie’s head swam from hanging upside down.She groaned and spat another curse about his parentage as he opened a door and shouldered his way inside.Her head collided with the door jamb, and she saw stars, her cussing turning weak.
He strode into the room and dumped her on the bed.
Suzie gingerly fingered her aching skull.“You can’t keep me prisoner.My friends will look for me.They’ll worry,” she said, glaring at his stony visage.
But none of what she spluttered was the truth.Scott and Liam would think she’d found a mate.They’d scarcely blink because disappearing was what the rest of their friends had done.Anita, Ramsay, Edwina, and now her.Instead of worrying, they’d grumble that they were the last shifters standing.
The bear’s dark glower stopped her frenzied thoughts dead.He didn’t intend to change his stance.Long strides took him to the door, his black suit trousers hugging his butt and muscular thighs, his white shirt clinging to his strong back.
Suzie cursed under her breath for noticing these stupid details as he exited the room.The solid wooden door shut, trapping her, and she muttered a rude word.That bear had no right to hold her prisoner.She was an innocent bystander who’d helped him out for free.She quashed her guilt at snooping in his private apartments.Yeah, she’d been nosy, so sue her, but she was no industrial spy.
She tried the door.The bastard.It was locked.
She wrenched the handle again, then kicked the door for good measure.
Sharp pain rippled through the soft leather of her slip-on shoe.“Ouch!”
Suzie limped to the double bed and sank down, her head throbbing in sympathy with her abused toe.Her gaze roamed the bedroom, taking in the contents and the avenues of escape.No window exit because she was on an upper floor.
