Page 20 of Big Bad Boss: Mated

“Madi,” I cry, and let myself go over, clinging to my mate like she’s my safe place in the storm.

Madi

Brick and I end up in a tangle of limbs in the backseat of the limo. The air is hot and humid, drenched with the scent of our lovemaking.

The bottom half of my dress and bodysuit is in shreds. Good thing I have a limitless wardrobe budget. One thing no one warned me about banging an alpha–my clothes tend not to survive.

Brick’s still kissing me, leaving my skin red from his insatiable mouth and scratchy beard. My rear is sore–in a good way. I lean into him, stroking back his hair until he raises his head to claim my lips.

I break the kiss with a finger to his lips. “The dress was a good idea. Admit it.”

He grunts, refusing to confirm or deny. “From now on you only wear those dresses for me.”

The limo screeches to a stop. We’re a few blocks away from Billionaire’s Row, on a narrow one way street. There’s no one around.

“Where–”

Brick’s wolf growls, deep and low. It would unhinge my spine if I hadn’t heard it before. His eyes are bright, and he’s staring out the window.

In front of the limo, framed by the dark buildings and illuminated by the super moon, is a bright-haired figure.

Thaddeus.

“What’s he doing here?” I ask.

He’s walking slowly towards our front bumper. The moon light caresses his curved cheek.

“I’ll handle this.” Brick goes for the door, and I grab his arm.

“Wait. I don’t trust this.” When Thaddeus was lounging on his fake throne, he looked silly, but out on the street, he looks larger than life. Dangerous. “He’s up to something.”

“We did everything required. He has no claim on us. It’s time to make it clear that I’m his equal not his puppet. I can be a powerful ally or a deadly enemy.” But he waits, with my hand on his biceps, until I agree.

I swallow down my protest and force myself to nod. I wanted us to be a team, and we are. Now I have to trust him to be the alpha he is. “Be careful.”

“Always.” Brick lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses my palm. “I won’t do anything to jeopardize your safety. Or the pack’s.”

I slide back into the depths of the seat, finding Brick’s suit jacket and covering myself. My heart is in my throat, choking me.

Brick exits the car, letting in a welcome blast of cool air, and carefully closes the door. As he strides to face off with the vampire king, I realize Thaddeus is almost as tall and built as Brick.

When Brick gets close, Thaddeus starts clapping. “Bravo, alpha.”

His condescension sets my teeth on edge.

Brick doesn’t seem to care. From what I can see of his face, he’s expressionless. “What do you want?”

“Just to offer my congratulations. This will be a night to remember.”

“Our part is over. We fulfilled our end of the deal.”

“Agreed. I wanted to tell you the favor has been returned. In full.”

“Great. Good talk.” Brick turns to go.

“One more thing. The Adalwulfs are busy with their own alpha coup. Seems Odin left some loose ends for his chosen successor to clean up. Your enemies won’t be coming after you for a while.”

Brick’s eyes narrow to amber slits. “How do you know?”