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“Mr Wyatt, I never hinted at any such thing I said I know your fahteen years old, as you know They paid for ” She leaned forward just enough to let him know she wasn’t intimidated by his heavy stare “Never doubt, I am a cherished friend of the Vanderale family, and as such, my loyalty to the family, the company and the job I’, categorize and, in essence, deterh to continue to receive all the handy little toys we ets to play with first Do not doubt that ht And do not doubt that my job is secure, no ainst the couch, “shall we do this in a civilized fashion or do I get to listen to you growl and snarl and flash those wickedly sharp canines in my direction, as your brother does, when he’s unreasonably upset?”

Jonas growled

“Jonas” Mercury leaned forward, almost protectively

Ria kept her gaze on the dangerously shifting colors in Jonas’s eyes as Mercury drew his attention

“What?” Jonas asked carefully

“If you break any more furniture in this office,” Ria looked around the rooin li over the office supply records just last week It appears that in six months this office was refurbished with two different walnut coffee tables, as well as a very sturdy metal one You’ve lost three secretaries in one year, and the glass in your apartment has been replaced twice You have quite a temper, don’t you, sir?”

“Or soht

Ria waited for the truth as he stared her down She knew the truth The s in his apartment were due to several attempts on his life The metal coffee table had taken an uncontained blast frohly advanced explosive The tooden tables had h

Finally, she allowed her gaze to flicker, as though she understood his alpha position He hadn’t researched her enough She didn’t even bon to Dane

“Very well” She breathed in deeply “I truly don’t wish to antagonize you But it’s best that we know up front why I’m here It’s my job to determine if the funds Sanctuary receives should continue, be raised, reduced or halted all together It’s your job to make certain I have co any purchases, payments, contracts or outside services provided by Sanctuary in both electronic and hard-copy foret to work tomorrow if you don’t mind”

She bent, picked up her coffee and sipped at it as she crossed her knees and waited

He was obviously restraining his snarl, while Mercury atching her with a flash of amusement in his eyes

Jonas, unfortunately, was too much like Dane Unfortunately for him, because Ria had learned how to deal with Dane years before She received bling in the for him to manipulate her And he did so manipulate her

She smiled back at Jonas “I’m really a very nice person Plenty of coffee helps”

Mercury snorted Jonas glared back at her