Page 19 of Mated To My Boss

“My name is Dave Mel—"

I grab the documents, scanning through them at the speed of light. “What is this?” I ask, frowning.

“It's the first files for the Madison case.”

“So you can read? That's good. Now explain why you're shoving these papers in my face?”

Dave gulps and takes a step back. Even a shifter would be wary at how annoyed I am right now. I don't expect a human to have the courage to stand up to me. “I was told to bring it to one of the department heads for a good look.”

“And you brought it to me? Out of everyone, you brought it to me? Do I look like I have the time for minor things like this?”

The color drains from his face. “I—I—” he stammers. “I'm sorry, it—”

“What's going on here?” Graham asks, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. “Is everything okay?”

“Since you need help so badly, give it to Graham over here,” I say, pointing at my friend. “He'll help you out. But never bring anything this lightweight to me again, especially when I'm not in my office.”

“Yes, sir!” the boy says. I'm surprised he hasn't wet his pants given how much he’s shaking.

I walk away from the two of them, who are stunned for different reasons. I head up the elevator to my floor and walk out as soon as the doors open.

I walk toward the cubicles, my pace slowing as I notice two interns chatting and laughing. Both of them freeze when I get close to them.

“What time is it?” I ask.

One looks at his watch. “It's a few minutes after nine.”

“And you think this is the best time to stand around not working?”

“I—um …” the second one stutters. “We were waiting for—”

“I don't give a shit what you were waiting for. If you want a job here you have to fucking earn it and you can't do that by standing around chatting. Get back to work!”

Both men scramble away. I spot Olivia looking at me with a shocked expression as silence descends on the rest of the floor.

“Are you all going to just stare at me?” I growl. “Isn't there work to be done? Why are all of you doing absolutely nothing?”

Everyone starts acting busy immediately, even though it's clear that most have little to do. I go to my office and close the door, heading for my chair. The door doesn't close, though. A big hand holds it open before it shuts.

Graham enters my office with a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I glance at my computer, finding the boot-up animation more appealing than the lecture I know is inevitable. “Nate?” Graham says almost in warning.

“Yes?” I respond, still looking at the screen.

“What's up with you?”

“What do you mean?”

He folds his arms. “You almost ate that guy's head off in the lobby. I saw what you did at the cubicles too. Those people are going to need therapy because of you.”

“Oh please, I wasn't that harsh.”

Graham sighs. “You definitely were. I thought you'd be better this morning considering …”

I eye him suspiciously. “Considering what?”

Graham chuckles a bit before closing the door. He comes to the chair just across from me and sits comfortably. “Are you really going to make me say it?” he asks.

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