Page 11 of Furry Equations
“Someone powerful wants what you’ve created,” Marcus said quietly. His voice had gone soft, dangerous in a way that really shouldn’t have been attractive. “Someone willing to hire professionals to get it. Until we figure out who and why, you’re staying where I can protect you.”
Natalie wanted to argue. To insist she could handle herself. But the memory of those men, their cold efficiency, their weapons...
“Fine,” she conceded. “But I need access to my research. And coffee. Lots of coffee.”
“Done.” Marcus’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “I’ll have your equipment moved to the secure lab here.”
“You have a lab in your penthouse?”
“He has everything in his penthouse,” Jax stage-whispered. “It’s a whole rich alpha thing. Very Batman but with more fancy suits and less childhood trauma. Though he does brood an impressive amount.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Marcus asked pointedly.
“Nope! Watching you try to out-stubborn the good doctor is way more entertaining than my actual job. Besides, someone needs to document the historic moment of Marcus Vale meeting his match.”
The words sparked something in Marcus’s expression—a flash of heat quickly hidden behind his usual control. But Natalie caught it, and the implications sent her pulse racing.
She was in trouble. So much trouble.
But as she watched Marcus and Jax bicker like brothers, she couldn’t bring herself to regret it. Even if having Marcus Vale as a boss was going to test every ounce of her professional control.
At least she’d gone out fighting. With a fire extinguisher.
Her mother would be so proud.
SEVEN
Marcus surveyed the newly retrofitted lab space at Vale Corp headquarters, unable to suppress a surge of satisfaction. His penthouse lab, though state-of-the-art, would have cramped Natalie’s style. Here, she had room to spread out, to think, to create—and most importantly, to stay safe.
Three hours of renovation had transformed the entire floor into a fortress. Hi-tech security cameras swept every angle. Biometric locks secured each entrance. Armed guards—all trusted pack members—patrolled strategic positions.
And still, it didn’t feel like enough.
His wolf paced beneath his skin, unsettled by the events of the past twenty-four hours. Finding his mate should have brought peace. Instead, he’d discovered her in the middle of an explosion and watched her fight off mercenaries with office safety equipment.
“You know,” Jax’s voice carried from the doorway, “most people just send flowers when they like a girl. Maybe dinner. A movie. But you?” He gestured at the comprehensive security setup. “You build her a fortress.”
“The penthouse lab wasn’t sufficient.”
“Right. Because that’s why you moved her here. Not because you wanted her closer to your office.” Jax’s knowing grin widened. “Which, coincidentally, is right down the hall.”
“She needs space to work.”
“And you need to stop pretending this is just about security.” Jax crossed to where multiple feeds were displayed on wall-mounted screens. “Though I have to admit, her taking down those guys with a fire extinguisher is rather impressive. Your mate’s got style.”
Marcus’s lips twitched despite himself. The memory of Natalie, blonde hair escaping its bun, wielding that extinguisher like a weapon while muttering about paperwork... “She’s unpredictable.”
“She’s perfect for you.” Jax lounged against a desk. “Finally, someone who won’t put up with your brooding alpha routine. I love how she stood up to you this morning when you tried to assign her a security detail for bathroom breaks.”
“I don’t brood.”
“You’re literally brooding right now. This whole command center screams ‘brooding alpha with control issues.’ Normal people don’t have retinal scanners on their supply closets.”
“Those aren’t supply closets anymore.” Marcus pulled up the building schematics on his tablet. “I’ve converted the entire floor into a secure research facility. The east wing houses her equipment?—“
“Already moved from her old lab and triple-checked for tampering.”
“The west wing has emergency protocols?—“