Page 8 of Saving Penny
“Can I offer you refreshments?” he asked.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” She offered him a small smile.
He moved behind his desk and unbuttoned his jacket before sitting down in his chair.
They studied each for a brief second before he shifted in his seat. It was a comfortable silence, and he could tell that she didn’t know where to start.
“I’m curious, Mrs.—”
“It’s Miss. But please, call me Penny.”
Penny.
His Penny.
“Yes, Penny. I’m curious as to how you came by way of this card?” He pulled the card from his suit’s inner pocket and laid it on the desk. He recognized the card. Each card was embedded with a drop of his blood and the blood of the person that he gave it to. He recognized the scent immediately, but he needed to know that the correct person gave it to her.
She paused while her wide eyes assessed him. He could tell that she was trying to figure out if she could trust him. He sniffed the air and did not detect any fear. He relaxed slightly, satisfied that she was not afraid of him. She crossed her legs, and it took everything he had not to glance down at them. He already knew they were perfectly toned and tan. They were legs that he wanted wrapped around his waist.
He coughed to clear his throat, to keep his mind from having such carnal thoughts as he waited for her to answer.
“My best friend’s brother, Tommy Gates. I’m having a small problem, and the police weren’t doing anything, so he gave me the card. I need someone who can discreetly take care of a certain problem so that I can move on with my life.”
Tommy.
Drake sat back in his chair at the mention of his friend. Thomas Gates and Drake had served together. Tommy was a good man, and had worked for Drake for a while. He was one of the few humans who knew of the supernatural world, and a human that Drake would trust with his life. The scent of Tommy’s blood still lingered on the card. If she was a best friend of Tommy’s sister Tori, then Drake knew he would not hesitate to help this woman in front of him.
“What small problem do you have?”
She glanced around the office, and finally turned toward him.
“By the looks of your building, and from what I could dig up about the Imperial Knights on the internet, I think my problem is way too small for you,” she admitted.
“If Tommy sent you to me, it must not be a small issue. And if it is, a friend of Tommy’s is a friend of mine. We will help you in any way that we can.” He would honor the card. Whatever her problem was, no matter how big or small, they would help.
“Thank you, and I would certainly pay you for your time.”
He snorted and waved a hand. He didn’t need her money.
“Penny, my prices are very high, but that card guarantees that our services will be free.”
“No, I don’t want handouts. I have money, lots of it, and have no problem paying your fee. Well, I guess I should say, if you’re willing to take the job.” She shifted uncomfortably in her chair.
“We’ll worry about cost later,” he announced, knowing that this would be a battle between them. This little human looked to be just about as stubborn as his wolf. She had lots of money? What did that mean? He could tell that she was a strong, stubborn woman who didn’t want handouts, obviously. They would work out a price later, something they could both agree on. “Now, tell me. What is this problem you have?”
“I have a stalker. It’s escalating, and I’m scared shitless.”
Penny filledDrake in on the events of the past few months. She tried her best not to reveal how nervous he made her while he silently took notes as she spoke. His dark eyes literally took her breath away. If she didn’t know any better, she would swear that he knew all of her dark secrets with one glance.
Tori had pleaded to come with her, but she chose to come alone. Imperial Knights was located in the middle of downtown, and with the bustle of people, she would be safe. She had been past the building many times and never paid any attention to it. She had assumed it was one of the countless buildings owned by banks or financial corporations.
She had done her research on Imperial Knights on the internet, and from what she could tell, she was way out of her league. Maybe she should just leave and go speak with the detective at the police department.
The Imperial Knights was an international security firm that commissioned governmental contracts, law enforcement agencies, and the rich and famous who required top-notch security. She was a regular girl who won the largest payout to a single person in lottery history.
“And then there was the recent package.” She blew out a deep breath, embarrassed to share with him the package’s contents. She looked down at her hands, then back at him. “I’m embarrassed to say what was in the box.”
His sharp eyes didn’t miss anything as he looked up from his notepad. His face was expressionless, making it hard for her to read him. This was someone Tommy knew, and if he trusted this mysterious security tycoon, then she would too. She had confidence in Tori’s older brother. He had been in the Navy for many years, and wouldn’t lead her astray.
