Page 13 of Fated By Fire

“I’ve got work to do,” I say, throwing a few bills on the bar.

He smirks. “You’re no fun anymore.” He waves a hand. “Scrap that. You never were.”

I don’t bother responding. I’m already halfway to the door. I don’t think he cares because one of the girls just draped an arm over his shoulder. The other is whispering into his ear.

Fuck that shit.

My brother might be happy living this way, but I have things to do. And I can’t shake the feeling that I need to be on my guard for some reason.

Something’s coming, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.

Chapter 5

Elena

The rain’s stopped by the time I step out of Craven Towers, but the air still clings damp and heavy. The chill bites at my cheeks, and I pull my jacket tighter, my fingers brushing the silver locket beneath the fabric.

Caleb Craven.

His face keeps flashing in my mind—those sharp, honeyed eyes, the way his voice dropped when he asked what I was doing in that office. My stomach twists. I shouldn’t have been snooping in the basement, but damn, he didn’t have to look at me like I’d committed treason.

Well, you were, in a way.

Industrial espionage is kind of the same thing, isn’t it?

But he left my nerves tingling, and I can’t stop thinking about him.

Nerves. Adrenaline. He’s your boss. That’s all.

Except, the way my heart races every time I think of him isn’t professional. And the sensation that lingers across my skin isn’t just from the brisk Seattle air.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fish it out, half-expecting it to be an angry email from HR. Instead, it’s Mara.

“Hey,” I answer, already steeling myself for whatever she’s about to spring on me.

“Change of plans,” she announces, no preamble. “Forget Chinese. Let’s get drinks instead. There’s this great bar near your office. Meet me there.”

I groan. “Mara, I’ve had the world’s longest day. And I’m literally on my way home. Can’t we stick to the plan?”

“Plans are boring, Lennie,” she says, her voice teasing. “Besides, you’ve been cooped up in that stuffy office all week. You need to loosen up.”

“I’m loose,” I argue, though we both know it’s a lie.

“Meet me at Inferno in ten minutes,” she says, not giving me a chance to argue as she rattles off the address. “Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

“Fine,” I mutter, hanging up and adjusting my route. The bar’s only a few blocks away, and I’m not in the mood to argue with her.

When I spot Mara outside the entrance, she’s leaning against the brick wall, her electric blue hair glowing under the neon sign. She grins when she sees me, pushing off the wall, her leather jacket and ripped jeans making me feel overdressed in my pencil skirt and blouse.

“There she is—my corporate spy,” she exclaims, pulling me into a hug that smells faintly of patchouli and weed. Of all the people on the planet, Mara Jones is probably the only one I’ll let this close.

“Shhh,” I hiss, looking around us.

“Relax. Nobody’s gonna hear us.” She purses her lips. “You look like you’ve been through a war. What happened?”

“Nothing,” I say, brushing wayward strands out of my face. “Just a long day. And an awkward moment with my boss.” I’m not in the mood to try to explain what happened. Mainly because I can’t figure it out myself.

Nothing happened. He caught you snooping. End of story.

---