“Are you doubting your skills?” Azazel quirked a brow. “Just because you haven't won an award doesn't mean you're not good at what you do. Congrats on your nominations by the way.”
“Stop stalling and tell me what you want.”
“Other than the fact that I trust these projects in your hands, I want five more added shares of After Li—”
“No,” Anubis said instantly before Azazel could finish.
“Why not?”
“You are already on the board with five percent of the shares,” Anubis snapped.
Azazel tapped his fingers on his desk, as if contemplating a new request, but Anubis knew his friend far too well. “How about this,” Anubis smirked. “Let’s make things fair; I’ll give you those added five shares if you give me the same for Abandon and Valleywood Studios and a seat on both boards. Oh, and our previous contract stands; I get to direct whatever I want without you butting in.”
Azazel leaned back in his chair, eyeing Anubis. “I won't use my powers of suggestion.”
“I can add my own brand of magic, or did you forget you’re not the only one that can do that? Plus, this is my mess. I need to clean it up myself.”
“I hope you don’t have anything planned for the rest of the day,” Azazel said. “Negotiations aren’t over.”
“I didn’t think it would take five minutes,” Anubis quipped. “Call your lawyers, and I’ll call mine. Oh, and you can finally call the assistant you’ve been badgering me to use.”
“About time you use the competent staff I gave you. You can't keep doing things this way and expect Sobek to rescue you. Have you ever thought that you've never won an award because the academy doesn't think you're serious? You're a good director, Anubis. You have a good eye, yet you refuse every help I give you. Even the people who work for your production company have their own damn staff.”
“Fuck, can you stop with the lectures? I have three mothers, a cousin, and a father who do that constantly.”
“What, your brother isn't in on it?”
“No, he's the one who rescues me from all their nagging.” Anubis chuckled.
“I can see that.”
They both pulled out their cell phones and made their calls. Anubis sat on the couch just as an assistant came in with a tray filled with water and fresh fruits.
“What happened to your guard-dog assistant? Don’t tell me you fired him.”
“In your fucking dreams. He asked for a couple of days off.”
“Oh,” Anubis said, plucking a grape from the tray. “Don’t let him go. I will steal him without any shame.”
“Watch it, dude; he’s got two bears for mates.”
Anubis tsked, shaking his head. “What the hell are you thinking? I like his work ethic. He’s cute but not my type.”
“Oh, I forgot you like the submissive ones, especially when they call you daddy and beg you cutely.” He chuckled.
“Don't knock it till you try it.” Anubis grinned.
“Uri and I have our own kinks.”
A glazed look crossed Azael's eyes, and although Anubis was curious, he wasn't going to ask his friend to tell him about his bedroom activities with his mate. Shit like that was off-limits.
“So I'm not knocking you down. Trust me; we've lived too long not to have an open mind,” Azazel said.
Anubis snickered and had a sweet comeback, but the door opened, and their lawyers entered before he could say anything.
“Okay,” Azazel said. “Let’s get shit done.”
Chapter Six
