CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Abby Brown observed her manicured nails and blew over them while waiting for the paint to dry.

«That thing stinks. Get it over with already!» Luciano Polenta complained.

«You've been repeating it for half an hour now,» she murmured, checking that the nails on her leg were still perfect. «

She combed her hair and threw another glance at the dark CEO complaining on her sofa.

«What are you doing here?» she asked. «I haven't understood it yet.»

«I wanted to come here.»

«I see... Why me? You surely have enough women who would be happy to let them into their houses. Why me?»

«Just because.»

«Hmm... If I have to guess, you're here because you can't trust anyone else. But it's so weird. I thought you were just a CEO, but it's obvious there's more to the story.»

«You don't have to guess.»

«You're hiding here,» she said, crossing her arms. Experience new worlds on M-VL-em|p,yr

«Shut up, woman.»

«Woman? Oh, those like you are so damn predictable. You should change the way you talk. And you shouldn't be so obvious. I know who you are.»

«What do you know?» Polenta murmured, suddenly on guard. It was taboo to talk about wolves with humans, especially if they weren't involved. Only a few from the Government knew about their existence... And human mates, sometimes.

«You're a mafia boss,» Abby exclaimed. «That's so evident! You act like one!»

«Ah?» he moaned. Then, realising he was safe, he nodded.

«But who are you hiding from?» Abby Brown continued. «Another mafia boss?»

He shrugged. If he was a mafia boss, then Nathaniel Woods was just as much. Packs were organised structures, and they might be involved with not very legal activities once or twice.

«I don't want to be involved,» she said. «I'm just a singer. I don't want to have anything to do with criminals, including you. If I knew it before, I wouldn't have come with you to that gala.»

«Oh, come on,» he snorted. «You profited from it! Everyone talked about you; your face was ev

«It wasn't,» she pointed out. «My face wasn't anywhere because yours was next to that woman... Hmm... Lara Clayton, wasn't it?»

«What?»

«You didn't stop staring at her the whole time. You glared at Nathaniel Woods, so I thought you just hated him. But then, I read that article... It was because of her that you went there. You brought me along for what? Make her jealous?»

«You're delusional.»

«Am I? Oh, but is CEO Woods involved in crime too?»

«Yes.»

«Oh, how cool. I wouldn't have imagined it... I mean, you do look like one. But Nate Woods seems so honest.»

«Can you stop talking about him for one moment?»

«Why?»

«Why not?»

«You're obsessed with him. Can you think about something else? Are you hiding from CEO Woods and his men?»

«Hiding? I am not hiding, woman!»

«No? Is that why you don't look like you intend to leave any time soon?»

«I have my reasons.»

«Sure... But tell me, are you two at war?»

«May be; why do you care?»

«Because you involved me. Whatever you say, no matter how many times you call me a woman, you owe me one. Now... Since we're at that... Is your war related to the reason why you're not at your company? Aren't you afraid it loses money without you?»

«I don't care. All I want is to take Woods down.»

«I see... What a pity. You two could have been friends. You could introduce me to him before he started dating Lara Clayton, and all four of us would have been happier.»

«What are you talking about?»

«I'm just kidding. I have to work this afternoon... I'll be back in the evening with dinner. Any preference?»

«Meat. Grilled.»

«Sorry, I'm vegetarian. No dead meat crosses my apartment's door.»

«No... Don't be like that,» he said, leaning back on the sofa.

What kind of bad luck! Of all the singers, actresses, and top models he could contact, he chose the one who didn't eat meat.

«I should have gone to that other one,» he murmured. Too bad he wasn't sure of her name. Delia? Kelly? Something like that...

«You can stay here for two days. Then, you leave,» she said, turning serious all of a sudden. «I don't want to get in trouble. And I don't want to be involved.»

«Even if it means meeting Woods?»

«Even in that case. I have my career to think of. What will people do if they hear I met with a mafia boss like this? No one will buy my songs anymore.»

«You don't understand a thing. You should come back with actual food, by the way. I become irritated when I'm hungry.»

«Oh, sure. Count on it,» she said, rolling her eyes. She collected her purse and walked out. She didn't lock the door. There was no point.

When Luciano Polenta appeared at her door, she thought he was going to ask her for favours... Just like most men would do. But then, he had just walked in, sat on the sofa, and hadn't moved from there for hours. Without actually asking for any permission, he had moved in with her.

Too bad she had the lingering feeling of danger guiding her to run away. That man was dangerous; she knew it. Yet, before that day, she had thought it was all just an impression. But, after hearing how LY Corp and Blue Moon were battling, she realised there must have been more to the story.

It was more than just economic attacks: those wouldn't make a man as proud as Luciano Polenta look for shelter in her apartment. She wasn't stupid and could recognise an affair she didn't want to be involved in. No matter the stakes.

«Hello, dear?» she said on the phone. «I'm in a bad mood. What do you think if I spend the night at your place? We can have a pyjama party... All girls. Hmm?

Awesome!»

She sighed, relieved she had a backup plan for the night.