Romance Warfare: a Tigress' Guide to NOT Secure a Mate(5)

“That’s not fair, Adam,” Dean said, “I only have your best interests in mind. And your best interests include our clan and Frost Industries.”

“Dean, I don’t need your help with this. You’re meddling in this because it amuses you.”

“A little, but I do care about you.” Dean dropped into his usual chair, propping one foot on the edge of Adam’s desk. “So, she still got the hots for you? I remember when we were kids. Well, teenagers. You two couldn’t keep your hands off each other.”

Adam shoved at Dean’s foot, pushing it off his desk and brushing at the mark it left on the polished mahogany. “No,” he said shortly.

“Just, no? That’s it?”

“Why are you pushing me on this, Dean? What could you possibly gain whether I marry her or not?”

Dean got up and strolled to the minibar cabinet in the corner. He uncorked a bottle, giving it a swirl before pouring an inch of the amber liquid into a cut-glass tumbler. He returned to his chair, taking a sip before settling back into his chair. He sat, swirling his drink, regarding his cousin with a steady gaze.

“Well? I’m waiting,” Adam prompted.

“I just think you need a nudge in the right direction. And not just for the company or the clan, but for yourself. You loved her, Adam. I remember how devastated you were when she left. You disappeared into the game preserve for a week. I was beginning to think you were going feral. I really thought we’d lost you to your tiger. Believe it or not, I care about you and I always have the best intentions for you.”

Adam pressed his lips together, trying to hold in the rage that wanted to let loose. Yes, he was hurt when Eva left. She just disappeared, not a word to anyone. When he’d gone to her house, her parents were apologetic, but wouldn’t tell him where she’d gone. He remembered her dad clamping a sympathetic hand onto his shoulder. A lump rose in his throat as he remembered the first moment he realized she was gone and wasn’t coming back to him. He glanced at the glass in Dean’s hand. “Isn’t it a little early for a drink?”

“It’s happy hour in Tokyo right now.” Dean tosses the rest of his scotch down his throat. “There.”

Adam spun his chair to face the window. Staring down on the streets of New York usually gave him pause, helped him to focus and concentrate. Since Eva had walked back into his life, he hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything. Anything but the thought of her in the next room, that was. He turned back to Dean. “I’m serious, Dean. Stay out of this. This isn’t the time for your meddling. I’ll deal with Eva myself. Don’t push me.”

Dean shrugged and headed to the door. His hand was on the knob when he spoke, not bothering to turn around and look at Adam. His voice was low, but Adam heard him clearly.

“The Council had spoken to me about this before, twice, in fact, but I didn’t bring this to your attention. They were pretty clear, Adam. They wanted to reassure the Carey clan’s alliance on our side for the long haul. Eva is a beautiful tigress with impeccable pedigree. Her bloodline is old and pure. Whether you like it or not, she’s very desirable as a bride. If you don’t marry her, someone else from our clan has to. Would you prefer that person to be me?”

Adam thought about what he said long after his cousin left. He hated to admit it, but Dean was right.

***

The sun was slipping below the tops of the buildings, sending bright sparks of orange shattering across the buildings of Manhattan. Adam was still facing the window, the setting sun deepening the shadows across his face.

Adam wasn’t sure he could keep doing this. He felt as if he’d been stretched too thin. Eva had been here three days and he hadn’t slept a wink since. Damn Dean for bringing her back. Most days, Adam could forget he’d ever known Eva Carey. He should have put his foot down on the first day, insisted she be sent immediately to another department. Hell, to another building. His company had offices all over the world. No reason for her to work in that one. But then he thought of what Dean had said. He was annoyed that the Council meddled in his private affairs.

He was still lost in his thoughts when a light tap at the door pulled him back into his office. He turned and called, “Come in.”

Eva cracked the door and inched into the opening, half of her body still in the outer office. Adam sighed. It’s like she can’t stand to be in the same room with me.

“What is it, Eva?”

“It’s after six, Adam. I’m going to head home if you don’t need me for anything else. Are you going out for dinner? I could order you in something if you want.”

“No, thank you, I’m fine.”

“Okay, well, goodnight then.” Eva started to disappear back through the door when Adam called out.

“Eva, wait.”

She stepped halfway into the opening again. “Yes?”

“Come in here for a minute. I mean, would you come in? Please?”

She stepped into the room and stood near the door, her back against the wall. Adam waved her forward, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”

Eva trudged forward, her face distrustful, and eased into the seat Dean vacated earlier. Instead of Dean’s nonchalant slouch though, Eva perched on the edge, a bird ready to take flight at the first sign of danger. Adam studied her for a moment, her body tense.