Dragon's Choice

by Juniper Hart

  “Fine, I’ll go,” Addison muttered, yanking the coffee pot from the burner. It might not be such a bad idea, after all. If Marcus ever changed his mind and went looking for her, he would know where to find her.

  At that moment, Addison had never felt more pathetic.

  Forget about Marcus, she scolded herself. You need to move on with your life! God knows he’s probably not thinking about you anymore. He’s already got another one of his women living in the apartment, I bet.

  She gulped back her sorrow and forced herself to focus on her job. It was the only thing she had going for her at the moment, and she did not want to lose it.

  Janine gaped at her as if she was a ghost.

  “Oh, wow! You are alive!” she gasped.

  Addison’s brow furrowed.

  “Of course I’m alive,” she replied in confusion. “Who told you I was dead?”

  Her former roommate shook her head. “No one, I—you just left under such weird circumstances, and you never returned my texts…”

  Addison tried to remember if Janine had texted her. I really did put everyone else on the backburner for Marcus, didn’t I? she thought, a combination of guilt and anger consuming her as she stepped into her old apartment.

  “I’m here and alive,” she sighed, following Janine toward the living room. She couldn’t help but feel slightly resentful of how small the place seemed to be now that she had lived in such opulence, though she shoved the spoiled thought from her mind and smiled warily at Janine.

  “Janine, I need a place to stay again,” she told her. “I was wondering if you would mind if I moved back in?”

  Janine’s mouth parted slightly, and her lips became a ring of surprise. “I—I mean, you paid for the rest of the year, Addison, so I guess you can…”

  There seemed to be some hesitance to Janine’s words, and Addison stared at her. “But?”

  Janine quickly shook her head and lowered her gaze, a pink tinging her cheeks.

  “Did you get a new roommate already?” Addison asked.

  “I… kind of?” Janine muttered. “But not exactly.” Suddenly, there was a sharp bark from Addison’s old room, and she jumped at the sound.

  “You got a dog?” Addison wailed, and Janine bit on her lower lip.

  “I always wanted one, and you always said no!” she reminded Addison. “If I had known you were coming back—”

  Addison interrupted her before she could keep apologizing. “It’s fine, Janine. You don’t have to explain it to me,” she said, trying to keep the disappointment from her tone. “And you’re right; the apartment is yours to do as you please.”

  It wasn’t that Addison didn’t like dogs—it was just that she preferred a pet-free home. The idea of dog hair on their clothes and furniture did not appeal all that much to her, but the choice was not hers to make. Not when her finances were depleted, and not when she had no other options.

  “Do you want to meet him?” Janine asked hopefully, and Addison realized that she was actually quite interested in seeing the face of the animal tearing up the inside of her bedroom.

  “Sure,” she agreed, and Janine’s face exploded into an expression of relief and joy as she jumped from the sofa to release the hound.

  As she moved, Addison’s phone chimed in her pocket, but she ignored it, preparing herself for the beast bounding from the back room and into her arms. In spite of herself, Addison squealed with giggles as the shaggy-haired animal knocked her down and licked her face excitedly, his full tail swinging from side to side.

  “What kind of dog is this?” she gasped, trying to protect herself from the slobbering tongue in futility.

  “He’s a terrier,” Janine answered. “A collie cross, I think. They called him Sunny at the shelter, but he reminds me more of a Roscoe for some reason.”

  “Roscoe?” Addison chuckled as the animal finally let up. She examined his happy face and smiled.

  “You don’t like it?” Janine asked.

  “Roscoe is perfect,” she replied, scratching the beast behind his ears. He growled gleefully, falling onto his brown and grey back for her to rub his belly.

  Again, her phone dinged inside her pocket, and Addison reluctantly fell back on her haunches to retrieve it.

  Email notifications.

  She tossed the device onto the sofa and continued petting Roscoe.

  “I have my stuff in storage,” she told Janine. “But I can rent a truck and move it out this weekend if that’s okay with you.”

  Janine shrugged and nodded. “Mi casa es literally tu casa,” she replied, grinning.

  There was a slight silence as Addison continued to stare at the dog, scratching his belly.

  It’s better this way, she thought. You were never meant to live like a princess in a castle. Waitresses from the wrong end of town do not meet princes and live happily ever after. That’s only for movies.

  Yet she could not forget the way Marcus had looked at her, how he had made her feel with his simple caresses, the whispering of sweet nothings in her ears.

  The cell chirped for the third time, and Addison could no longer ignore that someone was trying to get her attention. She snatched up her phone and peered at the screen, shaking her head in disbelief.

  It was a text from Melissa.

  Unlocking the device, she read it warily.

  I sent you an email by accident. Pls delete it, the message read.

  Addison wasn’t sure if she should respond, but Melissa didn’t give her a chance to consider as another text came through.

  Let me know you got this text. It’s important. Do not read that email. It has company info. Marcus will be angrier than he already is with you.

  The mention of her lover sent unbidden chills through her body, and her brow crunched.

  Angrier than he already is? Addison wondered. What did I do to him? Why would he be angry? He had clearly established that Addison could walk out of their relationship whenever she wanted to—he had no reason to be angry with her.

  Did you get my text? Melissa typed.

  Okay, Addison responded simply. She waited for any more correspondence, but Melissa seemed satisfied with her reply, and no other communication came through.

  “You all right?” Janine asked tentatively.

  Addison looked up at her and nodded. “Yes,” she replied. “A former co-worker.”

  Janine nodded, though the look on her face told Addison that she had a million questions, ones she was not yet prepared to answer. To Addison’s relief, her roommate said nothing.

  “I’ll be at Olivia’s until I can arrange to bring my bed and stuff here,” she told Janine.

  “You can stay here on the couch,” Janine offered. “I know that Olivia’s place is crowded.”

  A spark of appreciation flashed through Addison, and she offered Janine a timid smile.

  “You don’t mind?” she asked, and Janine shook her head.

  “It’s been lonely without you here,” she admitted, and Addison was warmed by the words. While the two had never been exceptionally close, she had always liked Janine and respected the girl’s ability to keep to herself. Unlike Olivia, who had to always know everything.

  Roscoe barked, as if approving the arrangement, and the girls laughed.

  “I guess it’s settled, then,” Addison said. “I’ll text Olivia and let her know.” With one hand still stroking Roscoe’s bristly fur, she texted Olivia. Since she was only using her left hand, the motion was a little awkward, and she took longer than she would’ve had she been typing with both hands.

  Janine says I can stay. We got a dog! I’m going to crash here.

  As she slipped back to the main screen, she stared at the red email notifications and sighed, opening her inbox. The more recent email was titled, “DO NOT READ PREVIOUS EMAIL.” The original one read, “Take a look at this.”

  Curiosity sparked through her, but Addison knew that whatever was written in the email that had sent Melissa into a panic was none of her bus
iness. The email’s content had nothing to do with her on any level. She was done with Williams Industries and with Marcus Williams.

  Addison deleted both messages and turned back to Roscoe and Janine.

  Step by step, I will delete the memory of Marcus Williams from my life, she promised herself. No matter how long it takes.

  Marcus did not want her the way she wanted him, and she had to learn to accept that… no matter how much it hurt.

  11

  No one was safe from Marcus’ ire, and even Melissa found reasons to stay out of his way, incensing him further.

  “Melissa!” Marcus barked into his headset. “Where the hell are you?”

  “I’m just grabbing a coffee and smoke,” she answered. “Why?”

  “Why?” he roared. “Why? Because your job is to be my assistant, not sit around gossiping with Tavia and Erica all day long! Get back here!” He disconnected the call and began pacing around the office, his blood heated.

  For the past two weeks, he had been certain that his true form was going to erupt from his skin on the drop of a dime, his nerves raw with anger.

  I shouldn’t even be in the office, he thought. Not until I am calm and this entire mess is sorted out. I’m not doing anyone any good by being here.

  It was undeniable. Someone was embezzling money from him, someone working directly under his nose.

  Tatiana had laid out all the proof he needed, her eyes slits of disapproval.

  “You can see that the money has come out of twelve different accounts,” she told him the Monday after Addison had left. “The forensic accountant is still going through it, and I suspect that more will be found.”

  “I don’t need your suspicions, Tatiana,” he snarled. “I need proof.”

  “I am showing you proof, Marcus!” she screamed at him. “Stop playing dumb! Either you or someone in your little seraglio has been stealing from the corporation.”

  Marcus glared at her. “Have a little respect,” he spat at her. “These women are your co-workers.”

  Tatiana snorted contemptuously. “These women are your playthings, Marcus. They do nothing but sponge money from this company, and I couldn’t care less about them, provided that they aren’t robbing us.”

  “I will look into this,” he grunted, waving his hand dismissively.

  Tatiana placed her fingers on his desk, leaning forward to stare at him.

  “What is wrong with you today?” she asked. “You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

  “Nothing is wrong with me,” Marcus replied through gritted teeth. “Get out! I have work to do.”

  “I hope that finding out what woman is stealing from you is your priority.”

  Marcus peered up at her. “I thought you were accusing me of taking the money?”

  Tatiana laughed, shaking her head. “You are a narcissist and a pig, Marcus, but you’re not a thief.”

  Oddly, Marcus was comforted by her words.

  “Thank you,” he said, and Tatiana stared at him dubiously. She spun on her heels to walk out of his office.

  “Just get to the bottom of this before anyone else on the board hears about it, Marcus,” she instructed. “And take care of it quietly.”

  It was his turn to be skeptical. “You haven’t told them?” he called after her, and she spun back around to gape at him.

  “Of course not! I’m the CFO, Marcus, and I was appointed as such after my father died. The men already look at me like they want to fight me or sleep with me. I’d rather not give them any more ammunition.”

  The words caught Marcus by surprise. It had never occurred to him that Tatiana might be struggling with her own issues within the company. She had always come across as so well put together, so sure of herself. Perhaps that was how he looked to everyone else.

  “Stop staring at me like that,” she snarled. “I don’t need your pity. If I were you, I would start by considering the new one you brought in. What was her name? Addison?”

  Marcus’ jaw tightened.

  “Why her?” he growled, and Tatiana shrugged her shoulders.

  “The rest of your posse seems to have been around a lot longer than her. It seems like a good place as any to start.”

  Marcus ground his teeth together and lowered his head, his incisors poking at his gums. “She isn’t here anymore.”

  Tatiana’s eyes grew large. “What happened? Replaced so quickly?”

  “It doesn’t matter!” he snapped. “I said I would look into it!” To his chagrin, Tatiana stepped closer, her blue eyes piercing into him.

  “Did she leave you?” she asked, a note of shock in her voice.

  “Tatiana, I have work to do.”

  She clicked her tongue against her teeth and shook her head.

  “Well, I never thought I’d see the day when Marcus Williams would be dumped,” she chuckled lightly. “I guess you are fallible, after all.”

  “Tatiana, get out!” he roared. But long after she had left, Marcus was left wondering if the reason he was so furious had anything at all to do with the missing money and everything to do with Addison Dryden. He thought there must be some connection between her departure and the missing money, but he couldn’t bring himself to put the two pieces together.

  It had to be a coincidence, yet Melissa’s words still rang through his mind, and Marcus asked himself over and over just how well he knew the girl he had swept into his life faster than anyone before her.

  Marcus tried to remember specific things she had said or done that could be construed as manipulation, but in his mind’s eye, all he saw was a set of luminous green eyes studying him with devotion and love.

  Then why did she leave me?

  “What do you need, Marcus?” Melissa asked him now, pushing her way into the office, a coffee for him in her hand. He snatched it up, sitting back to stare at her pensively.

  “I need you to be here like an assistant is supposed to do,” he retorted, taking a swig of his espresso. “And I need you to set up an appointment with Darren Winters.”

  Her eyebrows crinkled together as she gazed at him.

  “Why do I know that name?” she asked, and Marcus scowled.

  “Why do I always have to answer questions before you’ll do as you’re told?” he replied. “Just find his information and get him in here as soon as possible. Tell him it’s urgent.” Melissa nodded quickly and shifted toward her desk, settling into her chair.

  Marcus returned to his work, trying to think of anything but where Addison had been the past two weeks. Had she disappeared off to somewhere he couldn’t find her with the missing money, or was she laying low? He had to find out.

  Marcus’ eyes darted toward the woman beside him, his ears on her conversation.

  “Yes, Mr. Winters, today would be perfect.” Melissa glanced at him, and he nodded in agreement as she continued to speak. “Four p.m., then. No, I am not sure what it is regarding, but he insists that it’s urgent… Yes, I appreciate you making the time. Goodbye.” She disconnected the call on her headset and turned to him. “He’ll be here at four.” Then her brow furrowed. “Marcus, a private investigator?” she asked. “What is going on? Who are you looking into?”

  Melissa was beginning to grind on his nerves. In fact, since Addison had left, Marcus found all of them were annoying him in the smallest possible ways. Things he would find endearing about Tavia, Melissa, and Erica suddenly seemed insurmountably bothersome.

  Did she always laugh like that? he would think. Why does she smoke so much?

  He tried to ignore the fact that he was mentally comparing each of them to Addison. In his past, Marcus had always found special qualities in all the women he selected to be in his life. There had never been one sole woman who had been everything to him, and Marcus never really believed that such a female existed. After all, in all the centuries he had been alive, he had never met a woman he’d want to be with for all eternity. Actually, the longest he’d ever kept a woman around was fifteen years.

>   Then why did he feel like he had lost a part of himself when Addison had left?

  Well, it didn’t matter anymore. Any feelings he thought he might have for her were now moot. She had taken the way out he had offered her a year ago, and for all he knew, she was also stealing from him.

  “Melissa, go get me a coffee,” he ordered, and she pointed at the one in his hand.

  “I just brought you one,” she reminded him.

  Locking his eyes on hers, he put the cup to his lips, swallowing back the contents in one gulp. “Now I need another one,” he told her evenly.

  Melissa’s pupils constricted as she studied his face. Marcus could see she wanted to ask more questions, but she was also reconsidering her next move.

  “Melissa!” he barked. She left the office without another word, and Marcus exhaled in relief.

  There are too many women in my life, he thought, and he almost laughed aloud. Never had he said those words to himself. His harem had never been an issue in the past. If they caused him the slightest bit of trouble, he merely sent them on their way. There was no need to complicate a situation that was essentially very simple.

  But recently, it was becoming too much. And everyone noticed the change in him.

  If he had a hard time being with his other women before, it was suddenly impossible, his ability to perform clouded by thoughts of Addison. He spent most of his nights with Tavia because she reminded him the most of her, and Tavia seemed delighted by his surge in attention.

  “Hey.”

  Marcus glanced up and groaned aloud, not even hiding his displeasure.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Tatiana said, glancing around the room. “I have more information about the money.”

  “How many times do I have to tell you that I am looking into it?” he growled, but she didn’t seem to hear him as she flopped into a chair, facing him indifferently.

  “Marcus, you do a lot of talking. I am more on the action side of things,” she replied. He thought about making a snarky comment, but he waited for her to go on, folding his arms over his chest. “Where is Melissa?”

  “Getting me a coffee,” he answered. “What did you find out?”