“Let’s see how the meeting goes first.”
Charity was thrown for a moment but glad to see that Val was trying to keep up with Maximus and his attitude.
“Well then, we’d like to know, what is your interest in Selcon?” Luther asked.
“I think the better question would be, why are you losing clients at Selcon?” Val stated.
Charity watched the facial expressions change between the brothers. Ferlow just looked plum angry.
“It seems that you must be offering Selcon’s clients something for taking their security needs to Caliber.” Dante spoke up this time.
“Yeah, we offer better service, and our referrals are up.”
“It is not your place to solicit business from other packs. Selcon is a subagency of V-Con,” Ferlow stated abruptly, looking about ready to reach across the table and hit Val.
“Your service is poor, and your personnel are not happy.”
“What do you know about my personnel?” Ferlow yelled.
“I know that many of them have inquired about jobs with Caliber!” Val responded with a more angry tone.
This was not going as smoothly as Charity hoped. If Val kept this up, there was going to be a fist fight.
Ferlow growled. “Where is your respect for your Alpha? V-Con owns Selcon.”
“But they do not own Caliber. We are an independent company, and our agenda is the same as your Alpha’s. We intend to protect all clientele from evildoers.”
“You do not even have the Council approval,” Ferlow retorted, outraged.
“Charity, do you have the numbers we discussed earlier?” Val asked, and Charity nodded her head then began looking through the files. She passed the paper to Val.
“I can tell you in the last three months alone that more than half of your clients have moved their business to Caliber. Charity, you speak to most of the clients. Is there any particular reason they seek our services?” Val asked, and all eyes were on Charity.
“Most of our clients refer their family and friends. They are pleased that we can represent all types of individuals and creatures. With the increase of random attacks across this realm, people are scared, and they want the best protection possible.”
“V-Con is the best!” Dante exclaimed, sounding utterly insulted. He held her gaze, and Charity felt compelled to continue since she could hear Val’s heartbeat hammer against his chest.
“None of our clients have been attacked while under Caliber protection. Times are changing, Dante. Plus, keep in mind that we are talking about Selcon, not V-Con. Selcon is a small, let’s say for argument’s sake, sister company. They are not nearly as organized or respected as V-Con.”
Dante nearly roared with anger at her suggestion that Caliber provided better protection and clients of Selcon were not properly guarded. She knew of two incidences where pack members under Selcon protection were attacked and harmed. Charity had done her homework.
“But it is still under the control of Venificus,” Luther replied.
“Is it really? Considering the numbers, I would tend to argue against that statement,” Charity replied then held Luther’s gaze. She couldn’t help herself. He was so sexy.
He stared right back at her and focused on her lips. Immediately she felt her breasts tingle and her nipples harden in response. She held her ground, determined not to falter under Luther’s stare.
“Perhaps it is Caliber who is responsible for the attacks in order to cause a hostile takeover,” Ferlow added, breaking the spell Charity was under. Before she could reply, Val was speaking. He was a true disciple of Caliber and of course his princess.
Val snorted in disgust at Ferlow’s accusation and looked directly at Maximus.
“I think your problem is clear, Lord Maximus. Selcon is failing due to bad service and lack of happy employees,” Val spit out rather sarcastically.
“I don’t appreciate your smug attitude. What is it that Caliber is after?” Maximus stated firmly. Val shook with fear.
He glanced at Charity, showing her his fear and intimidation by Maximus. The man just couldn’t handle Maximus Venificus.
“I believe right now you are showing disrespect to your Alpha.” Maximus leaned forward in his seat and held Val’s gaze. Charity was caught up in watching the Lord assert his authority.
Her heart beat faster, her stomach muscles tightened, and she couldn’t help but absorb his features.
She wondered what it would feel like to be held in his arms. Did he visit that room of wolf females last night? Who were the three lucky women chosen by the Venificus triplets?
The thought of them with other women made her feel jealous and envious as well. She struggled with the emotions.
Val fell forward, hitting the table with a thump and holding his stomach. In her daze, she realized too late that Maximus had used his powers on Val.
Charity grabbed him and jumped from her chair. The man was deadweight and moving him by herself was not an option. The others chuckled.
She frantically looked around the room for someone to help her. Their amused expressions were shocking.
“I don’t find this amusing at all, Lord Venificus!” she exclaimed as she placed her hands on her hips and stared at him. He appeared amused as well.
“He deserved it,” Maximus replied before he waved his hand at Delta and Ferlow to remove Val from the room. Then he crossed his arms in front of his massive chest.
“Where are you taking him?” Charity asked, concerned.
“To his room. Don’t worry. When he wakes up in a couple of hours, he’ll just have a headache,” Dante told her calmly as he smirked.
She released an annoyed sigh.
“I think I should go with him,” Charity stated as she prepared to leave.
“Stay!” Maximus commanded in what sounded more like a growl then actual words, and Charity froze in place. His command caused Delta and Ferlow to rush from the room with Val in their arms.
Charity swallowed hard. Once again, she was faced with showing her true self and ignoring this controlling beast and succumbing to his authoritative tone and appearance.
“Why should I? So that you can use your special power on me as well? You have nerve, Lord Maximus. Val did not do anything to warrant such actions on your part. He was simply answering all of your questions. Just because you didn’t like the responses was no need to be so cruel.”
Lord Maximus’s eyebrow arched as he uncrossed his arms in front of his chest.
Shit…now I did it.
Charity began to grab her papers and files off the desk, and as she turned toward the door to leave, Maximus blocked her way.
She gasped in shock as her body hit the wall of steel, causing the papers and folders to land half on the table and half on the floor. She felt her legs wobble but held her position and tilted her head in defiance. They locked gazes and both inhaled deeply.
She saw his eyes turn before her own eyes and was mesmerized by the instant change.
Silence filled the room.
* * * *
Maximus attempted to ignore the effect the woman was having on him, and he tried to maintain his distance. Once Charity reprimanded him for hypnotizing Val, all restraint disappeared.
Before she could escape the room and his questions, he cornered her by the large table. Now he was inches away from the woman he dreamt about all night
He was shocked as he realized, standing this close, that Charity was indeed their mate. He inhaled, trying to calm his breathing.
“I have a few questions for you.”
She looked up at him with such a defiant look he almost laughed at her foolish courage. But the way she leaned away from him and braced the table for support told the opposite. She was afraid. Good. She should have been.
His eyes lingered over her plump lips then the rest of her face. She had soft, gentle features. He could only imagine how silky her skin would feel. His eyes absorbed the rising and falling of her chest and the way the green cas
hmere confined her abundant breasts. She was more voluptuous than any woman he had ever seen. He felt his wolf awaken, and he had to touch her.
“What makes you think I would answer any of your questions?” Charity spoke, and he grabbed her around her narrow waist. Now her breasts were wedged up against his chest. She gasped in surprise at his abrupt move then held his forearms. His wolf stirred as his brother’s low growls filled the room.
She was petite and so feminine, yet he felt the strength within her. His hand smoothed across the dip in her lower back that led toward her backside. Her hip lay firm against the table.
“Simple, Charity. You will answer my questions because I said so.”
Her sexy lips parted to answer him, but he hardly understood a word she said. Her lips called to him to taste.
“I am not one of your servant women waiting on your beck and call.” She squeezed his forearms and crinkled her eyebrows in the most adorable way.
He smirked at her defiance. The thought of her waiting in the chamber room for him or one of his brothers to choose for the night sent waves of excitement through his body. His erection grew bigger and harder at the thought of Charity in his bed for him to have his way with.
The smell of her heavenly scent, the defiance in her eyes, and her hands on his skin were too much for him.
Sliding his hand over her shoulder to her neck, he gently caressed her skin. He watched Charity swallow hard, but her gaze never left his. He was right about the feel of her skin. As he reached her cheek, he felt the incredible softness, and it appealed to him. She was intoxicatingly gorgeous in every sense. He never felt so compelled to kiss someone in all his years.
Taking a firm yet gentle hold of the back of her head while readjusting his stance to accommodate her shorter frame, Maximus dipped down closer to her face. She hesitated then relaxed as if she felt the energy between them as well.
“Lord Maximus, what are—”
Maximus covered her lips with his own, smothering any more words of defiance or challenge to what he wanted.
She didn’t fight his invading tongue. In fact, she twirled her own around his in a game that made him imagine his full erection in her mouth, sucking and pulling until he found his release.
She melted against his body, and he supported her with one arm lifting her off of the carpeting.
* * * *
Charity was lost in emotion and desire. This man, this wolf, was incredible. Her body was on fire everywhere he touched. As his thumb caressed the thin skin over her neck, she felt her blood pulsating along with his own. It was as if it joined his and became one. The feel of his mouth now against her chin, her throat, and neck caused the moisture to invade her panties once again. When she felt his teeth nip her skin then follow the curve of her neck, she nearly exploded inside.
Princess or not, the brothers did incredible things to her. Things she never experienced before.
The brothers! Where were Dante and Luther?
She panicked, and as if sensing her reservations, Maximus released her lips and whispered before trailing his lips across her chin and neck.
“They’re here.”
She breathed heavily, trying her hardest to maintain what little control she had when she felt another large body behind her. Warm, solid hands soothed the tense muscles in her shoulders, and somehow she knew it was Luther. It was as if she sensed him, and her body and spirit recognized his scent and his presence. It probably had a lot to do with the abilities she was granted as the Chosen One. The Fates had revealed nothing to her since her arrival at the mansion. Nor did they stop her from accepting the brothers’ sexual advances.
He leaned closer, inhaling her scent, exchanging smiles with his brother Maximus before gently kissing her neck. Luther’s lips felt good against her skin, but she wanted to taste his lips.
As the two singly striking and powerful Alphas simultaneously nibbled on her, she felt her body sway, only to be captured by Luther.
“You have yet to kiss me so seductively, Charity. I am jealous.”
As Charity turned to respond, feeling as if she should apologize at his statement, she opened her mouth and Luther caught it with his lips.
Maximus turned her body toward Luther’s as his hands glided over her collarbone then shoulders.
She stood on her tiptoes, and still Luther needed to widen his stance to crouch down and better access her mouth.
He tasted different than Maximus. He was passionate but firm, as opposed to Maximus who thrust right in and took what he wanted. The thought warmed her once again, and her body betrayed her.
She heard Maximus inhale.
“I do believe that our Charity is enjoying herself.”
She tensed at his words, at her own eager sexual response to the three men. She had never been with a man before. The spirits had never directed her toward anyone, until now. Instead of one, there were—
The feel of another set of hands stopped Charity in mid thought.
She did not need to look to know it was Dante. Once again her body and soul recognized her mate.
Luther released her lips. His eyes showed flecks of yellow and black as he exhaled but refused to release his hold on her waist.
Dante laid his palm against her belly gently while his other hand touched her cheek and directed her to face him.
“Don’t be afraid, Charity. We won’t hurt you.”
Dante. He was so calm, caring, and empathetic, much more rational and in tune to others’ emotions and feelings. He softly kissed her lips.
A loud knock on the door caused Charity to tear her lips away from Dante and move away from him.
She needed to gather her thoughts. To ask the spirits for direction. How could she be the mate of all three brothers? Not that it was uncommon among the wolf packs themselves, but it was rare. The Sinclair pack had three were Alphas and were mated to a fey princess. Lexi and her wolves had quite the love story. Then, of course, there was Antoinette and her four men from two separate packs. Their joining was significant to the battle against evil. Charity was a princess, and it would make sense for her destined mates to be of royalty as well. But she never really looked at herself as being royalty. Her focus was always on the Venificus men and the continued safety and security of all wolf packs. She wished the Fates would provide concrete guidance. All she had to go by was her attraction to the triplets and the heart tattoo that seemed to pound against her chest the closer she got to the men.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Maximus blocked her from the view of the doorway, and Luther held her gaze.
Luther whispered, “It is Ferlow and Delta back to rejoin the meeting. This is not over, Charity. We’ll talk later.” He reached up and gently rubbed his thumb near her lips.
She assumed that some lipstick had smeared, and he corrected it.
“You look perfect.”
He smiled, and her body reacted to the sexy expression on his face. Maximus gave her body the once-over as he squeezed her shoulder then turned around. Taking a deep breath, Charity attempted to act unaffected by the wolf. It was a lost battle. Everywhere his hands had touched burned with desire for more. She felt out of control and weak. Could this royal Alpha have powers even she was defenseless against?
“Let us help you gather those papers, Charity,” Maximus stated, and both he and Luther helped her pick the items up and stack them onto the table.
He was once again distant and authoritative as he leaned against the table.
The others remained standing as Ferlow and Delta joined them.
“How is our friend Val doing?” Luther asked, as if knowing the question was on Charity’s lips but she was still recovering from her brief encounter with the Venificus brothers.
Charity cleared her throat then stacked the papers and took a seat. Her legs felt wobbly and unable to support her weight.
“He is out cold and snoring, Lord Venificus.” Ferlow bowed then took a seat across from Charity. She avoided his gaze but not before giving
him a dirty look. Then Ferlow winked at her, and Luther and Dante growled simultaneously.
Maximus began speaking.
“Charity, there are some questions we would like to ask you, and perhaps you will not be as evasive as your boss.”
“Lord Venificus, I will try,” Charity bowed her head and avoided his gaze.
“Does your boss have no respect for his Alpha?”
Charity looked up in shock.
“No, Lord, on the contrary, the owner of Caliber has much respect for you and your family.”
“Then why does he have his own company in Europe and now appear to be attempting to take over some of the largest sub companies of V-Con here in the United States?”
Charity could sense the anger in Maximus’s tone. She needed to maintain some control here. She hated to lie to the brothers and felt the upset as her stomach ached. But there was more to worry about here than sexual attraction. The Fates had not stated that they wanted her to reveal her true identity to the triplet Alphas. She had no choice but to wait. If she spoke as if in third person referring to herself as the owner instead of Val, then maybe she would survive this interrogation.
“I can tell you in all honesty that the owner of Caliber is not trying to overtake V-Con.”
Luther laughed, as if the possibility of V-Con being eliminated by Caliber was too ridiculous to even speak of.
“What is it that you find so amusing?” Charity asked, directing her question toward Luther.
He smirked slyly, as if he had some kind of control over her now that he kissed her and she didn’t stop him.
She released an exasperated sigh and decided that these brothers were a bit too cocky for her liking. Did they really think they were invincible?
“I do believe that your employees are the ones who should be questioned here.” Charity looked toward Ferlow and Delta. “Your employees of Selcon should be able to answer the question of why they could not provide adequate protection and other services to their clients without subcontracting Caliber.”
“We have gone over our employees’ poor performance, Charity,” Dante replied, trying to ease the tension in the room. Charity didn’t want to use Ferlow and Delta as scapegoats but around the Venificus brothers she felt defeated. There must be some kind of magic spell in their kisses. It was the only logical explanation as to why she wanted to look into their eyes, melt into their embrace, and confess.
Dwyer, Dixie Lynn - Were Love Conquers All [Were Trilogy 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 7
