by Juniper Hart
“Good luck today, Everly,” Cynthia called after her as she made her way down the winding staircase to the foyer. “Michael is lucky to have you.”
The words sent a spark of pleasure through her, accompanied by a shot of shame.
Get your mind out of the gutter, she growled to herself as she made her way down the freshly shoveled drive towards her father’s Lexus.
“You know that Michael is only giving you this job to ensure you don’t embarrass the pack,” Kevin told her without preamble as she closed the passenger side door. “Try not to embarrass me now.”
Everly stared at him balefully. “I have an Ivy League education! Mr. Vanier is lucky to have my skill set at his disposal—especially in Ogden, Utah. Besides, like I said, Dad, I have other options to explore in—”
“Stop talking such foolishness!” Kevin barked as he backed out of the driveway. “You aren’t going anywhere, and I don’t appreciate you trying to gain the upper hand by humiliating me in front of my best friend, and the alpha. I know you did that on purpose. Sometimes I wonder how you and I are the same blood.”
Everly gnawed on the insides of her cheeks until she tasted blood.
There was no use in trying to explain her case to her father. In his mind, she would always be his selfish, inept daughter who couldn’t do anything right.
But he isn’t wrong; Michael did offer me the job so the pack wouldn’t lose face. It reflects badly on everyone if I take that job in Austin. And would I truly get over the loneliness of being separated from the pack if I moved?
She reminded herself that there was not necessarily a job in Texas.
But if there is, I will be making Sydney look bad to refuse it. God, how did I get myself into this mess?
She shook her head and turned to stare out the car window, her mind whirling.
I will cross that bridge if it comes to it, she decided.
“And don’t think that just because you’re my daughter you can coast through your work. Michael expects his employees to work hard,” Kevin continued. “Try not to push your luck.”
Everly felt her jaw clench. Her teeth ground together so hard, she was surprised they didn’t chip.
“Dad, you do realize that I have worked every day since I was fifteen years old, right?” she snapped, unable to contain herself.
“Have you?” he retorted. “What have you been doing since you got back from New York?”
Everly bit back a reply.
“I’m just saying, don’t think that you’re going to flitter through this job without any effort, so you can try and run away,” Kevin told her. “Because even if you fail at this, you aren’t leaving Ogden. I don’t care if you end up flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant, you’re getting a job. I should never have let you go to New York. You have no sense of right and wrong anymore.”
He’s talking in circles! Just like when I was younger, nothing is good enough for him. Tears of frustration filled Everly’s dark blue eyes, but she refused to cry. Your makeup is perfect. Don’t let his asshole remarks make your mascara run, she pleaded silently.
The rest of the trip to Behemoth was made in silence, and Everly was grateful. Without a word, she jumped from the car, ready to slam the door in a dramatic fashion when her father’s voice rang out.
“You’ll have to find your own way home tonight. I have a late meeting, and I’m not a chauffeur.”
“Do you want me to fail? Is nothing ever good enough for you?”
“Just don’t embarrass me, Everly.”
She pushed against the outside of the silver door, clutching her coat and purse to her side as she made her way up the steps toward the three-story building in the center of town.
Screw him. And screw this town. If that job offer comes from Texas, I am taking it, pack be damned.
She opened the doors to the building expecting to find a dismal office with outdated furniture. Instead, the office offered an uplifting ambiance with modern, white furniture and brightly-colored abstract art that adorned the walls. Fresh flowers were placed in tall vases around the office, and Sydney felt like she had stepped into a whole new world.
“You must be Everly,” the middle-aged receptionist greeted, smiling warmly from her seat behind the desk.
Everly swallowed the bitterness in her throat and placed a small smile on her lips. “Yes,” she breathed, loathing that her voice came out in a croak, but the secretary didn’t seem to notice.
“Welcome, dear. I’m Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Lizzie.”
She extended a hand as she rose, and Everly accepted it, shaking it firmly.
“Right this way, dear. Mr. Vanier asked me to send you in as soon as you arrived. We’re so happy to have you here!”
Everly glanced at Lizzie, mildly surprised at the woman’s enthusiasm, and she wondered if she had been forced to be cheerful. Then she remembered that they had agreed not to tell the other employees that she and Michael knew one another.
“People tend to cry favoritism in situations like this,” Michael warned. “It’s better if they just think you’re here fresh from college. No need to give them any ammunition to use against you later.”
Everly followed Lizzie toward the elevators, her black heels clicking against the polished tile, and she realized that she had been holding her breath.
Just breathe, she cautioned herself. This is just a temporary job. Think of it as the means to an end.
They boarded the elevator and exited on the third floor, Lizzie continuing through a maze of cubicles and glass offices.
Several employees had already arrived for the day, and she noticed that they all looked up to smile at her or say hello as they passed.
“Friendly staff,” Everly heard herself comment, and Lizzie laughed lightly.
“It’s easy to be friendly when you’re happy with your job,” she replied. “Michael Vanier is a good boss.”
Everly felt her dark red eyebrows raise suspiciously. I wonder how much she gets paid to give the new employees that schtick, she thought caustically, but as they moved onward, she was losing the sense that it was phony.
They paused at another reception desk, situated in front of a set of double doors, which Everly assumed was Michael’s office. A sweet-faced young blonde peered up at them quizzically from the reception desk.
“Hey Lizzie,” she said brightly. “What are you doing here?”
“Carmen, this is Everly Castle. She our new intern. Mr. Vanier has asked to see her.”
Instantly, Everly wondered if Michael was sleeping with the girl. The question filled her with shock and shame.
What the hell is wrong with you? Everly wondered, but she also realized that beneath it, there was an unmistakable jealousy. You’re losing your grip being back in Ogden, she warned herself as Carmen’s smile broadened. All the stress is killing off your active brain cells.
“Nice to meet you, Everly!” Carmen said enthusiastically. “You’re going to love it here. I’ll let Mr. Vanier know you’ve arrived.”
Everly nodded slowly and waited as Carmen called from the phone on her desk.
“I’ll leave you in Carmen’s capable hands,” Lizzie said. “Carmen, are we meeting for lunch?”
The younger woman nodded as she replaced the receiver and slid her chair back, gesturing for Everly to follow.
“Yep! I’m picking today!” Carmen giggled. “Everly? You want to come, too?”
The offer took her aback, and she didn’t know how to respond. “I…uh—” she stammered.
Lizzie chuckled. “Give the woman a minute to get her bearings, Carmen,” the older woman laughed. “You don’t have to commit right now. And even if you don’t want to join us today, we go every day. I know, it’s such a waste of money, but Mr. Vanier lets us put our lunches on the Behemoth card.”
Everly nodded gratefully and gave them both a weak beam. “I’ll let you know,” she assured them, marveling at the fact that her father’s best friend allowed for employee lunche
s to be comped.
No way in hell does Dad do that at his law firm, Everly thought dryly.
“Come on in,” Carmen announced, not seeming remotely offended that Everly had not jumped on the opportunity to join them.
Everly glanced around at the happy atmosphere. Is this real? There’s no way everyone gets along so well in a seemingly perfect office setting.
“Mr. Vanier, Everly Castle,” Carmen declared, throwing open the interior door and stepping aside to allow Everly to enter.
“Thank you, Carmen,” Michael called. “Come in, Everly. Do you want some coffee?”
Everly shook her head quickly. “Uh, no, thanks,” she murmured. “I’m okay.”
“All right. Thanks, Carmen. That will be all,” Michael said.
Carmen smiled and nodded, closing the door as Everly stood uneasily at the back of the spacious office.
“Come and sit, Everly. This isn’t formal. I just wanted to welcome you to Behemoth before I threw you to the wolves.”
Her eyebrows arched in surprised.
“They’re…?”
Michael laughed a booming, infectious laugh and shook his head.
“No, they aren’t like us. I try to keep my two avenues of life separate. It makes life too difficult when worlds collide. You are my only ally in here.”
Everly felt a slice of pleasure circle down her spine as he waved her closer.
Allies. I like that, she thought, smiling.
She approached cautiously and perched on the edge of one of the overstuffed wing chairs facing the desk.
“Do you personally welcome all your new employees, or just the charity cases?”
The words stunned Everly more than they seemed to shock her father’s best friend. She had no idea from where the venom had sprung. It was as if she was trying to pick a fight with him and end her employment before it began.
Michael’s grin faded, and he leaned forward, his dark eyes narrowing. “You think I hired you because you’re a charity case?” he demanded. “Because if we’re going to start this business relationship with a huge chip on your shoulder, you can leave right now.”
Everly bit on her lower lip and dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she choked. “I don’t know why I said that.”
Michael sat back, researching her face closely. “I think I do,” he finally said. “Your father is getting under your skin and you’re starting to believe that you’re not worthy of working anywhere on your own merit.”
Her head raised slowly, and her mouth parted slightly. “How did you know that?” she whispered.
Michael chuckled dryly. “I’ve known your dad a lot longer than you have, Everly,” he reminded her. “He can be a difficult man, but I know that he loves you deep down, despite his inability to show it.”
Everly felt herself tense. She didn’t want to hear justifications for her father’s bad behavior. She had heard enough excuses from her own mother over the years. The last thing she wanted was Michael Vanier jumping to his defense, too.
“I have seen your transcripts and your recommendation letters from your professors at Columbia. You are beyond qualified for this position, but it’s only a starting step. I can’t very well grant you the COO position on your first day. It might raise some eyebrows and call favoritism into question.”
Everly managed a small smile for his attempt to be light-hearted. “I’m willing to earn my stripes,” she assured him.
“Good,” he said, sitting forward again to fold his hands together, and Everly found herself studying his mouth with keen interest.
He has the fullest mouth I have ever seen. I wonder what it would be like to kiss him. It would probably be like sucking on a marshmallow and taste just as sweet.
“I just want to make one thing clear,” Michael told her conversationally, and Everly pulled her gaze from his mouth.
“Yes?”
“Whether you decide to remain working here or not, that is your choice entirely, but…”
She waited expectantly for him to finish, cocking her head to the side.
“You’re never leaving the pack,” he concluded. “You belong here, and I won’t let you go.”
The statement caused an explosion of heat to flood her face as she gaped at him.
He won’t let me go? He surely means it as the pack leader, she explained to herself, but as she stared into his penetrating brown eyes, she felt the undeniable undercurrent flowing between them.
For the first time since returning home, Everly was certain she didn’t want to go anywhere.
Chapter Five
Michael rose, groaning as his neck cricked. He had been staring at the computer screen for hours, it seemed, and he needed to rest his eyes.
Glancing at his Rolex, he realized it was after seven o’clock.
I need to see about dinner, he thought, peering out into the dark night. He hadn’t eaten anything but a muffin at breakfast, and his stomach was growling in reminder.
I’ll order a pizza. I still have to put the finishing touches on the presentation before the client conference call tomorrow morning.
He turned back to the desk to reach for the landline. As he picked up the receiver, there was a gentle tap on the door.
His brow furrowed, Michael glanced at his watch again, wondering who would still be there at that hour. Carmen had left at five-thirty, and the last time he had been out in the offices, it had been deserted.
Cautiously, he replaced the phone on the cradle.
“Who is it?” he called, bracing himself for an unwanted visitor.
Slowly, the door swung inward, and Everly stood at the threshold, looking uncomfortable. She glanced around nervously as she fidgeted with a gold ring she wore on her right pinky finger.
“It’s just me, Mr. Vanier,” she called.
“Everly, what are you still doing here?” he demanded, slipping around the side of the desk. “It’s late!”
She shrugged. “I’m always here until this time,” she replied, and his eyebrows shot up in shock.
“Really?” he asked. “I didn’t know that. There’s no need for you to be here so late. Five o’clock is quitting time. Did someone tell you differently?”
Everly shook her head, averting her eyes. “No,” she replied quietly. “I just don’t really have anywhere else to be.”
He felt a strange pang as he caught the wistfulness in her voice.
“You don’t feel like going home, huh?” he asked sympathetically. “Your dad still giving you a hard time?”
Everly sighed. “I don’t know,” she replied. “I’ve been avoiding him all week. I just know anytime I see him, he’s going to say something to upset me, so it’s better that I just keep my distance.”
I’m going to have to talk to Kevin. He’s too hard on her. She’s doing such a good job here.
He also knew he had no right to get involved with their family affairs, but he couldn’t bear to see such a plaintive expression on such a lovely girl.
Michael had been pleasantly surprised that Everly was more than just a beautiful face. Her work ethic was strong, and the other employees genuinely enjoyed her company.
Immediately, she had bonded with the staff, and they invited her to lunch and helped her gain her footing in the growing company.
I don’t know why I’m surprised. She has always seemed capable. Michael realized that Kevin had tainted his opinion of Everly with his endless complaining.
“Well, you need to get out of here,” Michael told her sternly. “You can’t hang out at the office. It’s bad for morale.”
Everly seemed disappointed, but she still nodded. “Okay,” she said, turning away. “I was hoping you might have something for me to do.”
He watched as she turned to leave, crossing through the double doors, her slender hips swinging naturally.
Michael found himself licking his lips. “Actually!” he yelled after her. “I do have something you can do for me.”
She paused and turned, her ey
es brightening. “What’s that?” she asked eagerly.
Michael wondered if he was crossing a line as he stared at her hopeful face. “I’m going to get dinner. You can join me.”
Everly seemed startled by the invitation, myriad expressions crossing over her face.
“Do you want me to go get you something?” she stammered, trying to decipher the meaning of his words.
“No,” he answered flatly. “I want you to join me for dinner. Go get your purse and coat.”
Visibly swallowing, she nodded and exited the office.
There’s nothing wrong with taking her out for dinner, Michael told himself. She has to eat like everyone else, and she’s earned a good meal with all the work she’s been doing around here.
But he knew that he was opening a door that should remain closed. Michael forced himself not to think about it anymore. He closed his office door and locked it, wondering if he was going to return that night.
Of course you’re coming back to work tonight, he scolded himself, but he could feel a hotness rising through his body as Everly walked back to join him by Carmen’s desk.
“Ready to go?” he asked, and she nodded. “Any preference for restaurants?”
“No,” she squeaked, and Michael felt a surge of energy bolt through him as he caught her eyeing him through her peripheral vision.
I am not imagining it. She is attracted to me.
“Let’s go to Peartree’s,” he said. “Do you know it?”
Everly smiled softly. “My dad used to have birthday parties for me there when I was little,” she recalled. “Drove the staff insane to have half-a-dozen kids running amok through the dining room.”
Michael laughed as they boarded the elevator. “Your father always did like to push the envelope,” he mused. “I suspect you might have more of him in you than you care to admit.”
She looked up at him, pursing her lips together. “I am nothing like my dad,” she shot back, and Michael grinned to himself.
She even sounded like him right then, he thought, but he wisely said nothing.
“I stand corrected,” he answered, holding the door open as she passed into the lobby. “We’ll take my car,” he told her, and she snorted slightly.
