Demon’s Little Lamb: Chapter 5

When Lamb had taken this internship two months before, she imagined working long hours and late nights, with little food or rest. Now, after her little encounter with Mr. Ivanovich, she found herself being pulled off projects nearly every single day by either Azriel himself or someone running messages for Mr. Luxemberry. It was both humiliating and maddening. Azriel had always come himself, seeming not to care if anyone saw them together or not. She’d begun to get knowing looks from the other employees. No one smirked at her or in any way made her feel like they thought she was trying to gain favor by seducing the boss, but Lamb couldn’t imagine any of them not thinking along those lines.

James, on the other hand, never approached her on company property. It wasn’t unusual. He wasn’t an employee of Argent Tech, as such he didn’t have direct access to the campus. Instead, he’d send co-workers with messages for her to call him. Sometimes he’d call her both on her office phone and her personal cell. She had no idea how he’d gotten the number, but she’d finally had to block his number. Which he soon figured out and started using a different phone. The number she’d blocked had always shown “unknown caller,” while the one he currently used had his name on the caller ID.

More than once over the following weeks, James had shown up at a restaurant she was eating at, or at her car when she was leaving work. He even showed up at the little house she’d rented when she’d first moved to Rockwell. That had been the height of embarrassment. She could tell by the disgusted look on his face he hadn’t been impressed with her choice of residence. The ensuing conversation hadn’t been fun. As a rule, Lamb hated confrontation, but it seemed like she was doing a lot of it lately.

She sat at a table by herself in the employee dining room in her building on the Argent campus. It was more like an upscale restaurant, but she hadn’t been able to enjoy it much. If she wasn’t working, one of James’s flunkies was always in her space.

Speaking of the Devil, she’d just given the server her order when she spotted James coming toward her, a huge shark-like grin on his too handsome face. Where in the Keys she’d found his features pleasing, now she saw them as bait. He was obviously a predator and, for whatever reason, had put her in his sights. Lamb just suppressed a groan and resisted dropping her head into her hands.

“Lamb, my love! I’m so glad I found you here.” His voice seemed to echo across the expanse of the dining room. Lamb wanted to grind her teeth in frustration. She couldn’t resist clenching her fists for several seconds.

“What do you want, Mr. Luxemberry?” She used his last name purposefully, trying to keep things professional when she really wanted to slap his face. Or kick him in the balls. Either would work.

He gave her a mildly hurt look. “Now, why would I have to want something from you just to visit?”

“Because we’re not friends? Because it doesn’t really matter what you want, I’m not giving you anything, and I’m pretty sure you know it?”

“Now, sweetheart.” He lowered his voice to a caressing murmur, leaning in close to make it look like he was keeping it private when Lamb was certain everyone around them heard his remarks. “Is that any way to talk to the man you spent nearly a week with in the Keys? Of course, if you’re ready to turn our vanilla lovemaking into something a little more… aggressive, I’m into that as well.”

Lamb wanted to vomit. More than one of the people in the area turned to look at them. At least a couple had disapproving looks on their faces.

“Mr. Luxemberry,” she said, placing her hands on the table and standing. “I’ve been very clear when I told you, had I known you were married, that week would have never happened. I don’t appreciate being lied to, and I certainly don’t appreciate you trying to manipulate me into taking this discussion private. I’m not sure how you got in here, but this area is for employees only.”

“Please sit down, sweetheart,” he cajoled. “You’ll only make a scene, and I’m sure you don’t want to do that until you’ve gotten a permanent position.”

The bastard was right, but if she gave in now, she knew it would be more than a small retreat. He’d jump in and take more ground than she was willing to give. Looking around her, however, she realized she didn’t have much of an option. At least, not right now. She’d talk to her supervisor when she got back to work. Maybe she’d have a recommendation.

She sat, but kept her hands from the table so he couldn’t reach across and touch her. “Fine,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “I’m sitting.”

He smiled again, obviously pleased with himself. “I’m so proud of you for making the right decision.”

“Never said it was the right decision, Mr. Luxemberry. In my view, I simply had no alternative.”

He nodded at her once, conceding the point without actually saying so. “I thought we might talk a little. I know you’re upset I didn’t explain things more clearly for you, but I assure you, I meant no disrespect.” He looked expectantly at her, apparently waiting for a response. When none came, he cleared his throat, clearly not knowing what to do with her when she wouldn’t rise to his bait. “I, uh, thought we might go out to dinner tonight. Discuss your objections to our arrangement. I’m sure we can find a compromise or a solution we can work toward.”

“Not following.” Lamb made her tone as clipped and terse as she could.

“You know. We can talk about our arrangement and make plans to make it a more permanent situation. I’ve been wanting to discuss it with you since the party, but you’ve been avoiding me.”

“We have no arrangement, Mr. Luxemberry. Anything we had ended in the Keys. And if I’ve been avoiding you, it’s because I don’t want to encourage your behavior. I’m not interested in anything to do with you. Period.”

“You didn’t think so when you jumped into my arms at the party.” Yeah. He’d jumped all over that. “In fact, I believe you were happy to continue our relationship.”

“I’m not too proud to admit that I was, Mr. Luxemberry,” she said softly. “But it never would have gotten as far as it did if I’d known you were married, or even had someone you were seeing seriously. I don’t encroach on other women’s territory.”

“Just have dinner with me, Lamb. I don’t want to lose you.”

“That ship’s sailed. I don’t date married men, and I don’t date men who lie to me.” As she spoke, the server brought her order. She also carried a to-go box in her hand, raising her eyebrow without saying anything. Lamb nodded. She would definitely be taking her lunch to go. The server didn’t stop at the table. She just continued past them and took Lamb’s lunch back to the kitchen to pack. Lamb pulled out a twenty and another ten, intending for the woman to keep the extra as a generous tip for reading the situation correctly.

“Come on, Lamb. It’s just dinner.” Then he sat up straighter. “Or, I have a better idea. Why not come away with me. Back to the Keys. I have a private jet. We could leave after you get off work Friday.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Lamb was becoming desperate. If the server didn’t hurry, she was leaving without her food. “I’m not going to dinner with you. I’m definitely not going away for the weekend with you.” As if she’d read her mind, the server appeared once again.

“Here you go, ma’am.” She smiled warmly at Lamb, setting the food packaged in the box and a sack for ease of carrying. “I hope you have a wonderful rest of the day.” The drink was in a reusable insulated Argent Tech cup with a spill-proof lid. The cup probably cost more than the meal. Shit. Lamb hoped she had enough money out. The last thing she wanted was for James to try to pay for her lunch. She glanced around looking for the check. When she didn’t see it, she simply handed the thirty dollars to the woman. “Oh, no, ma’am. Your meal is already covered. The tip as well.”

She glanced at James, who was frowning. “I –”

“Mr. Ivanovich. We have instructions any time you order.”

“I — what?”

James scowled. “Bastard,” he muttered. Which made Lamb nearly lightheaded with relief. That was her way out. At least, for the moment.

“Please send my gratitude to Mr. Ivanovich. That was very thoughtful of him.”

The server smiled brightly. “He comes across gruff sometimes, but he and the other bosses are very generous with everyone working for them.”

“Thank you –” She glanced at the girl’s name tag. “– Maria. And thank you for packing this to go. I have so much to finish today.” Lamb stood, turning her attention back to James. “Mr. Luxemberry, this is my workplace. Please don’t approach me here again.”

“If you call security, Benedict and Sebastian will make sure to divert any guest you’re not able to accommodate during working hours.” Maria had phrased it so as not to offend, and Lamb appreciated it. When she made that call, she’d be sure to let them know she was being harassed.

“Come on, sweetheart,” James cajoled. “Don’t try to keep me away from you out of spite. I think you want me as much as I want you. You’re just angry that I didn’t disclose everything to you.”

“Please don’t contact me again, Mr. Luxemberry.”

“You know I can’t promise that, my love.”

The endearment she’d overlooked at first now made her cringe. “You called your wife that. Perhaps you shouldn’t address other women that way.”

“I told you, we have an arrangement. “

“And I told you I didn’t care. I don’t willingly sleep with married men. Ever.”

He moved around the table to stand in front of her. Out of the corner of her eye, Lamb saw Maria texting on her phone. The young woman hadn’t moved from her spot next to Lamb and Luxemberry.

“You seemed pretty willing in the Keys. And at the party.” He took another step forward into her personal space. When she would have stepped back, he gripped her upper arm and pulled her closer to him. Lamb glanced around, mortified at the number of people witnessing this. She recognized a man from the weekly department meeting advancing on them. He was older with stark white hair and piercing blue eyes. If she remembered correctly, he was the department manager. Great. She’d probably be fired now. “All I’m asking for is a couple hours of your time. I think we can work something out between us. And I have a business proposition for you.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” the older man said as he moved beside Lamb, then gently inserted himself between her and James. “It looks as if the lady isn’t appreciative of your company, sir. This area is for employees only. If you’re new and simply weren’t aware of it, name tags are to be worn at all times. May I see your Argent I.D. card?”

James straightened himself, standing his full six-foot height. “I’m not an employee here, but I do enough business with Alexei that I’m granted full access to the facility.”

The man stuck out his hand. “Grayson. Lucas Grayson. I’m head of the physics research department. I’m afraid we haven’t been introduced.”

James took the man’s hand automatically. When he did, he winced slightly, but didn’t pull back his hand. “We haven’t been introduced because we are in no way equals in the corporate hierarchy.”

“More likely,” Lucas said, his eyes narrowing, still gripping the other man’s hand, “we haven’t been introduced because you’re not supposed to be here. No one has free access to this facility without an escort from one of the bosses.” Lucas still didn’t let go of his hand. James’s eyes narrowed and he shook his head. He tried to shake Lucas free, but the other man held on fast.

“Wha’ the ‘ell?” James sounded like he was drunk, his words slurring.

“We don’t like intruders here,” Lucas said, continuing to squeeze his hand. “I’m not sure who let you in, but rest assured, they won’t be in a position to do so again.”

Moments later, there were three security personnel and someone from medical hurrying to James. Just in time, too, because his legs gave out and he crumpled. Thankfully, the security personnel caught him and eased him onto the floor. Almost before he hit the floor, two more men from medical entered with a stretcher and placed James on it to roll him away. They weren’t at all cruel or disrespectful, and no one in the area seemed to mind. In fact, more than one of them gave a satisfied nod as they watched him being carted out.

“What happened?” Lamb didn’t particularly care if James was all right or not, but she didn’t like secrets. From the work she was doing here, she was beginning to suspect this place was full of them.

“Just a little tranquilizer,” Lucas said, holding up a small ring with what looked like a tiny injector on the inside. “He’ll be fine.” The older man smiled at her kindly. “We don’t like intruders. A few of us are given the means to be rid of them in the event someone like Mr. Luxemberry here manages to get into a common area.”

“Could this day get any worse?” she muttered to herself.

“I do apologize, Miss Newsome,” Lucas said, looking for all the world as if he truly was sorry she’d had to endure this. “Sebastian and Benedict, our heads of security, are on this. Has Mr. Luxemberry ever approached you here before?”

“Not here. But he’s had messages delivered and he’s called me.” She felt like a tattletale.

“Both are simply unacceptable,” Lucas said. “If you wanted the interaction, the messages and phone calls are one thing. But, it’s obvious to me that wasn’t your wish.”

“Absolutely not,” she said without hesitation. “I’m so sorry to cause such a ruckus. And this mess?” She referred to what had just happened. “I can’t express how sorry I am.”

“There’s nothing for you to apologize for,” Lucas said. “None of this is your fault.”

She shook her head. “I do have a responsibility in this,” she said quietly. “He and I spent time together several months ago before I realized he was married.” Lamb couldn’t help the tears that threatened to fall. One did, making an accusing track down her cheek. Angrily, she wiped it away. “When I saw him at the party a few weeks ago, I was happy to see him. I was the one to break things off, and I’m sure that’s part of the problem.”

“Ah, I see.” The older man looked all too much like he did understand. “The fragile male ego.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know for sure. It seems unlikely, but I can’t imagine what other reason he’d have for continuing to pursue me. If I gave in to him and let him be the one to break things off…”

“That’s unlikely to happen, Miss Newsome. You’re a lovely woman, and James Luxemberry is known to have a thing for young, beautiful women.” Lucas shook his head. “No. If you gave in to him, he’d never call an end to it.”

“Call an end to what?”

Yep. This day could get worse. Striding in with two of the biggest men Lamb had ever seen was Azriel Ivanovich. Where before when she’d seen him, he looked good but sedate in his expensive suit, this man was the powerful corporate billionaire in the flesh.

“Miss Newsome was just telling me she’s afraid Mr. Luxemberry had fixated on her because she was the one to break off their interaction.” Thankfully, Lucas didn’t stumble over his wording. The man must have had experience phrasing things delicately. “She was pondering whether or not she should give in to him and let him be the one to end things.”

“Lamb.” Azriel turned to her, reaching for her. For some reason, her stupid hand found his, and she let his fingers close around it. Instantly, a shiver of awareness flooded her body. She wanted to crumple into tears and throw herself at Azriel, to let those strong arms hold her again. It had felt so good before, a heady combination of safety and acute desire. Just being near him with his attention focused on her made her stomach flutter. Had she thought she’d been attracted to James? The sensations she felt when Azriel touched her or spoke to her like he actually cared about her made anything she’d thought she felt for James feel tepid in comparison. “James Luxemberry is a swine. Don’t cater to his needs. Remember our conversation before? He’s that man. Giving in to him would be the worst mistake you’ve ever made.”

“Can’t argue with that,” she said, ducking her head, trying to tug her hand free. He didn’t let her. “On any account.”

“Why not get your lunch and come with me? We’ll find a quiet, tranquil place for you to eat and let your stomach settle.”

She looked at him for a long moment. He was putting nearly as much pressure on her as James was. Why, all of a sudden, did she have two handsome, rich men vying for her attention? Something didn’t add up. Sure, she was young, intelligent, and passingly pretty, but there was more going on than met the eye, and she was smart enough to know it.

Lamb nodded. She didn’t necessarily want to go with Azriel, but she didn’t want to do anything more in public. While no one was standing around gawking, Lamb hated being the center of attention. The potential for ridicule was high in this situation. If she managed to score a full-time position, there would be many who thought she got there by screwing the boss.

Feeling a profound sense of defeat, Lamb went with Azriel willingly. He addressed the server. “Have her lunch made fresh and billed to me. Deliver it to my office. Add a hundred-percent tip to both you and Constance. She’ll no doubt wonder why she’s been asked to make the same dish twice. I don’t want her thinking Lamb didn’t enjoy her creations.”

“At once, Mr. Ivanovich.” When the woman hesitated instead of going about her duties, Azriel tilted his head quizzically. “Is there something else, Maria?”

Maria glanced at Lamb, then seemed to make up her mind about something. “Miss Newsome is very loyal to Argent, sir. I’ve heard the others talk about how hard she works and is never in areas she shouldn’t be. She never talks about her projects over lunch and when others do, she leaves.” She gave Lamb a small smile. “I just thought you should know.”

That was odd. Had someone accused her of going against the NDA she’d signed? Wouldn’t surprise her, the way this day had gone.

“Thank you for supporting Miss Newsome, Maria. It’s a testament to her character — and yours — that you felt the need to say something positive. Especially in that regard since everyone knows how important secrecy about our projects is to me and my associates.” Pretty words, but Lamb noticed he didn’t reassure either her or Maria that he knew she hadn’t broken the contract. “Now, Miss Newsome. Let’s go someplace more private.” He dropped her hand to place his arm around her shoulders. For some reason, she let him. In one heroic moment, Azriel had inserted himself publicly into her life, and she hadn’t done a thing to stop him. Instead, she went willingly as he led her from the dining room to his office.