Page 4 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer

"Plant it on TMZ first, then bulldoze them with the shelter footage.Make them choke on his goddamn goodwill," Krista said with the decisiveness of a battle-tested General giving commands to her troops before marching into battle.

Something primal in my chest tightened.No one spoke for me like that.Not my agents, not my lawyers, no one.I wasn't a brand to salvage, but a person she was defending.

The realization sucked the air from my lungs.

She whirled at the sound of my footsteps, her assessing gaze scraping over me like a physical touch.Not pitying.Not afraid, but calculating.Like I was a puzzle she was determined to solve.

My wolf purred, desperate for her approval.Mine.

Krista tossed her hair over one shoulder, unimpressed."Nice of you to join us, Storm.Sit down.We're salvaging what's left of your career."

Zane snorted, fingers still flying over his keyboard."Also known as we're doing your homework while you brooded."

I crossed my arms, the weight of the day pressing down on me."I was being interrogated, not sulking."

Krista's lips twitched."Same difference."

I was torn between irritation and fascination.No one talked to me like that.And yet, the way she stood there, all five-foot-nothing of her, with her arms crossed and chin tilted up in challenge.It ignited my veins with heat.

Zane's phone buzzed.He frowned at the screen."Uh-oh.Troy Mercer's lurking outside the gate again.That guy's persistent for a bottom-feeder.Like a cockroach."

I growled at the name.Mercer had been circling like a vulture since Selene's death.He was slimy even by paparazzi standards.

Krista grabbed her bag with a sigh."I'll handle him.Distraction's the best defense."

"Like hell," I muttered.

With Garrett right behind her, I followed, making sure no one saw me shadowing her towards the gates.

"You're kidding, right?"Troy's greasy voice carried across the driveway as Krista stepped outside."Fortune PR slumming it with criminals now?Guess business must be slow."

Krista smiled, saccharine sweet."Aww, Troy.You brought your big-boy camera today.Does that mean you're finally taking your career seriously?"

Troy's smirk faltered.Then his hand shot out, closing around her wrist like a shackle."Listen here, you mouthy little—"

I exploded.My vision turned red with rage as fury surged through me.My claws dug into my palms.Blood roared in my ears as the need to destroy this little rat surged through my muscles.A growl ripped from my throat.

Troy froze, his grip slackening as fear flashed across his face.

Krista didn't even flinch.She just arched a brow and flipped her hair, snapping a picture of Troy with her phone."Oh, this is gold.I'm going to make you internet famous, Troy.Desperate paparazzo harasses innocent bystander.What do you think, should I tweet it now, or wait until your editor sees it?"

Troy's smirk faltered.

The anger in my gut eased.She wasn't afraid.She was handling it with the ruthless efficiency of a skilled hunter.

Zane jogged up beside me, grinning."Damn.She's terrifying."

I grunted, watching as Troy slunk back to his car.The wolf settled, but the possessive urge lingered.Just the idea of that greasy bastard even looking at Krista made my skin itch with the need to mark her, to claim her, and to destroy anyone who dared harm her.

Krista turned back toward the house, freezing when she spotted me.Her eyes narrowed."Were you watching me?"

I shrugged, forcing nonchalance into my voice."You're on my payroll.I was assessing the investment."

"Uh-huh."She folded her arms, tapping her foot."Well?How'd I do?"

The corner of my mouth twitched despite myself."Not terrible."

She rolled her eyes."High praise, your majesty."

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