you with some ideas of how to expand your social presence. Do you have a Facebook page?”
He chuckled then cleared his throat. “No. We have none of those things. That’s why we need to meet you. How’s one o’clock?”
“Fine. You have my phone number so I’m assuming you have my email as well, that you got it off my website?”
He paused. “Yes. I have it in front of me.”
“Fantastic. Will you please send me over whatever information you’re currently using for your brand, and the address I’m to go to? Oh, and perhaps send a few photographs or links to buildings you’ve designed so I can get an idea of your vision, and how best to present that to the world.”
From his tone, she’d impressed him already. “I can do that.”
“Wonderful. I’ll see you then.”
He said goodbye and they hung up.
Michelle ordered the sliders and two orders of French fries. Her mood was lifted and when Laura returned, she saw it. “Good news?”
She said on a wide smile, “Someone referred me to an architecture firm. I’ve never worked with one of those. Should be a challenge. Though it won’t be half as fun as pushing amazing clothing.”
Laura laughed, “Flatterer!”
“I ordered for us.”
“Oh good, I’m starving.” She lifted her glass and held it toward Michelle. “To success.”
“To new friends,” Michelle added.
“Awww…I’ll drink to that!”
They clinked their glasses.
Chapter Six
D arik hung up and looked at his two packmates.
Eli leaned against the office wall. “She’s coming?”
Nodding, Darik glanced over as Dontae interrupted, “I can’t wait.”
Eli was tired of Dontae’s attitude. It didn’t matter that he understood it. They were under enough stress as it was and if everyone could just relax a little, he’d be glad of it. It didn’t look like that was going to happen.
Darik set his phone on his desk. “She sounds very intelligent and good at her job. Nice, too.”
“She’s the one human being who could expose us!” Dontae nearly shouted. “And if you think you can trust a woman, then I don’t know who you are!”
Exasperated, Eli crossed his arms, his suit bunching up a little from its tightness. “She hasn’t come forward yet to the police and from what Nathaniel said, she didn’t see him in his shift. He said she didn’t even look.”
“And you think we can trust…”
“DONTAE!” the two other wolves shouted in unison, over it once and for all.
Darik inhaled deeply. “You know we can trust Nathaniel. No way and I mean NO WAY would he ever put himself or any of us in danger with that kind of lie. If he says she didn’t see his wolf, she didn’t see it.”
“He put us in danger by…”
Cutting him off, Eli growled, “I swear to God, your trust issues are enough to make me want to find Catherine and gut her myself for changing you into this.”
Dontae grimaced at the harsh point hitting home. “I just want to make sure she won’t tell anyone.” Hazel eyes dropped to the floor, and for once he looked vulnerable.
Eli pushed off the wall and smoothed down his jacket to calm himself. “You’ll be able to determine what kind of a woman she is on Friday. Now tomorrow, I’m sleeping in until at least eight at night. I suggest you come join me so I can hold you and make it all better.”
Dontae grumbled and left the room.
Darik and Eli waited until they heard the door to Dontae’s office close, then Eli looked at his bearded friend and said at a lower volume, “Between you and me, I’m not having her here to see if she can be trusted. I just want to get Nathaniel talking again. He hasn’t said a word since Sunday.”
“He’s got it bad. He hasn’t come in today, either. What’s he doing?”
“Who knows?” Sitting in the chair opposite Darik’s desk, Eli added with a tired spirit, “You and I are the only sane ones around here. Let’s do something. Let’s promise to always stay single. Anything else is too messy.”
Darik
Learning to Kill: Stories