Page 17 of Sinful Mates

“No, not you. Thanks for your help.” I hang up the phone with one well-timed jab. What the fuck do they think they are doing? Those are my finances, my bills! The only thing either of those assholes need to know is how much I’m paid a week. Beyond that? It’s all my business, not theirs.

I don't even bother eating lunch. Rage is my food for the day and its fiery grip is enough to fuel me as I march straight back to work. I nearly break a nail when I jam my finger into the up button. They are lucky I’m wearing heels, otherwise I'd just run up the stairs. Tears of rage shimmer to life in my eyes, my hands tremble as I clench and unclench them, imagining myself strangling two business executives who don't know how to pay attention to their own lives.

The sound of the bell is like the start of a fight. Before the doors are completely open I march, my heels echo my aggressive pace on the marble floors. Tobias's office is my first target. If he isn't the one responsible, I'll ream out Theo next. I grab the handle and throw the door open, letting it slam into the wall.

“How dare you?” I demand. Theo and Tobias are both in the office. I appreciate that I don't have to run around yelling at them both. They jump at my growl.

No, that isn't nearly strong enough for what I need to get across to them. “How fucking dare you? You have no right to go snooping into my business. I can’t believe you would do that.” Most people might have been relieved by this timely rescue, but not me. My mom raised me to be independent. This is just straight up an invasion of privacy. I visibly shake, tears still threatening to spill.

“Imogen?” Theo has his hands on his chair, he looks torn between staying in his seat and coming to my side. He glances between me and Tobias, his brows furrow. “What are you talking about? What happened?”

“Both of you, that's what's wrong.” I mock him while pointing at them both. Because even if Tobias is this particular fault, they both keep getting in my way, determined to be my own personal Prince Charming’s somehow. “You, both in my business. You have no fucking right to do that! I’m not some fucking charity case or some damsel in distress you need to rescue!” I pant from all the screaming. Every fiber of my being vibrates. I grab my hair in fistfuls, clutching hard and rip them as I laugh maniacally. I won't cry, it doesn't hurt, but I'll laugh my ass off seeing the shock in their eyes. "You caused this!" I sneer at them both, throwing my hair at them. Dramatic? Maybe, but I've never entered a realm of rage like this before.

My screams are cut off when Tobias gets up from his chair, crosses the floor in two strides and pulls me to his chest. Theo continues to stare at us.

Someone else might have relaxed against Tobias's chest and been gentled, but not me. I jab my finger into his chest, poking him. He’s the one responsible, so he’s the one in the doghouse for this. Theo is an asshole, but not the one ruining my life at the moment. “It was you, wasn't it?” I growl at him.

He doesn't answer, just stares down at me with those dark eyes of his. Does he think that will stop me? That I'll magic ally just fall into his arms and be a good girl?

“Fix it right now or I'm done. I'll fucking quit.” I toss the receipt at him, but since there isn't much heft to it, the stupid thing lands in front of him instead of against his face where I aimed.

He catches it before it hits the ground and uncrumples it. His eyes scan the numbers and something like realization sparks in his eyes. The pity that has been present before dies out. Good! His chest heaves and his lips lift from his teeth. “No, you needed the damn help. If I had known about your mother when she was first admitted, I would have changed the policies right then. But you never let anyone in your life.”

What? He has no right to be mad at me! He’s the one at fault! I take a step away from him, not letting him get close enough to touch me again. “Fuck you, Tobias. I didn't ask for you to come rescue me, I don't need your fucking help, and I don't need you. I'm not some broken person you need to fix.” The tears I held back before stream down my cheeks. Hopefully mom will forgive this moment of weakness. I let someone else see me cry, I failed her. It only serves to make me cry harder.

Theo reaches out to me again, fingertips brushing against my back. “Imogen.”

I glare at him, moving out of his way, too. “Don't you fucking touch me either, Theo. I'm done with you, done with both of you.”

“Imogen,” Tobias snaps my name. Where Theo's cry of it has been soft, Tobias's is harsh like he’s disciplining a dog. “I never said you are broken. But you are fucking broke. I won't have my fucking MATE living in her car and rotting away because you're too damn stubborn to ask for fucking help,” he snarls every word at me.

I focus on this word, this thing he stresses so hard. What the hell? “Excuse me? Mate? I'm not even fucking dating you. I don't know what you thought I'd agreed to by taking that apartment, but you're going to cut this shit out now. You're going to stay out of my business. You're my boss, nothing more. Act like one. You'll never be my mate, Tobias.”

Those dark eyes widen. I have the sensation of punching him with my words. The color drains from his face and he staggers back, hand curling around the chair and swaying. “Get out,” he whispers softly, body trembling. He gets the strength to look me in his eyes, rage and pain etched on his features. “Get the fuck out of here! Take the rest of the day off. I can't even look at you.” The last words are soft, but he punctuates them with a punch to his desk. A large dent forms underneath his hand and the metal holding the desk up creaks as it physically bends underneath the pressure.

I open my mouth to tell him I quit when Theo jumps from his seat. He pushes me out of the room and shuts the door behind us. I don't wait to hear what he has to say. Flipping my hair behind my shoulder, I march back to the elevator, smacking the button with my palm. While I wait for the damn thing to show up, I feel Theo's gaze on my back. Why is this taking so long?

I whirl around and Theo takes a step backward, still staring, but not engaging with me. Fine, let him be a coward. I slip my heels off and sling them from my fingers as I head to the stairwell. I kick the door open and jog down the stairs as fast as I can.

I must have been halfway by the time I work the rage from my body. Am I being a bitch here? Any other boss would have fired me once I slammed the door open, It takes a while, but I finally get to the bottom. Instead of kicking the door open, I weakly push it and hobble over to a bench by the elevator.

I slip my shoes back on my now sore feet and cradle my head in my hands. How has life gotten this bad? When did I become some cosmic joke? What I wouldn't give to have my stray here. Maybe I'll see him again. Lunch isn't happening for me, but maybe I can get something for him. I head to the store and buy him some quality dog food. It’s even good for dogs with long fur. Not that he needs much work on his beautiful hair, but I want to keep it in good condition.

With nothing else taking my time, I head to the park and to the place I met him before. “Here puppy, puppy,” I call out. I hope he recognizes my voice. But no matter where I look, he doesn't appear. Maybe he’s mad about the puppy thing. He’s the size of a small bear. I need to get him a proper name the next time I find him. If I find him again.

My brain turns to the dark and I force it away from the negatives. I'm sure the dog is fine, probably just with his real owners. I need to get back to the apartments, and it’s a fairly long walk. My phone buzzes and I glance at the screen. What does Theo want? I try to ignore it but after the fourth ring I give up. It's not like things can get that much worse for me. “What do you want?” I demand.

No, that isn't what I need to say. Even I know that. I take a deep breath. I'll retry this. “Look, I’m sorry. I know what I said was wrong. I was just angry." Weird, I thought apologizing would be harder. Maybe because it’s Theo?

I expect Theo to be upset with me snapping at him, but his voice is warm, concerned even. "Where are you?"

“In the park,” I reply with a deep sigh. “I thought I could find something here, but no luck.”

“You can come back if you want, he has calmed down. He's not going to run you out again. We are your ride home.”

I shake my head. I’m not ready to give up yet. “No, I think I will stay here for a bit longer. I’m looking for something.”

“Looking for what? Did you lose something? Is that what you meant when you said no luck?”