#Chapter 8: Jessica’s Trick

I'd made sure to bring an insulated bag with me, so when the doors opened to the penthouse offices, I was sure the coffee was still piping hot.

I'd hoped to beat Charles there, but he was already standing in front of the window, answering a phone call. The city skyline was visible out the windows to his right.

"The fact that you're short-staffed is not my problem..."

I was taken aback. I'd never heard him talk like that before.

He was intense and dominating, the voice of the Alpha I always knew he was but hadn't seen flexed like this.

"You will do it this way and move Saturday's staff to Thursday... What?... I don't care. You need to figure that out."

He paced back and forth, gesturing as his spoke. His posture radiated power, and I felt my heart begin to race. This side of him was totally new to me.

"You will call me in ninety minutes to report," he finished. He hung up his cell and stopped, his arms folded. I could feel the energy rolling off from him as he stood still, starting into