Fisher: Prince of Tigers – Paranormal Tiger Shifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “Are you threatening me, young lady? I’ll have you know that I eat little people like you for breakfast. You’re not going to do a damned thing. And you’ll waive the extra fees you’ve been tacking onto the bill since the tenth of last month. That is if I decide to pay you at all.” No comment. He loved it when he could render people speechless when he spoke to them. “Now, here is what you’re going to do. You’re going to take your little ass someplace and chill out. There won’t be any more of those threatening calls, nor any more messages telling me I’m in violation of our contract. I’ll make your little company a laughingstock if you so much as turn one computer off. Do I make myself understood? I’m a name around the world, and people know what I say means business. You’re going to have to deal with people like me all the time. Think of this as a learning experience. I’ll pay you when I’m damned good and ready to.”

  “Are you sure about that?” He didn’t like her tone and told her so. “I could care less what you’re liking about me or not. You have fifteen minutes to make the payment in full, or I’m hitting the kill switch.”

  Benson just disconnected the call. The nerve of the little bitch, thinking she could order him around like he was a nobody. Benson didn’t get to where he was today by playing by the rules, and the sooner she realized that, the better off she’d be. Big companies like his were what made the world roll around. He might even buy her out someday.

  Her program was wonderful—Benson would say that about her. It did just what he wanted it to do, and he’d not had to fuss with it once since she’d put it in three months ago. When he had to have a report of sales or something other than that, he had only to press a couple of keys and there it was. Even him, as un-tech savvy as he was about computers, could make it work for him. When he’d told her what he wanted, to have computers be able to load information to a single line and be updated every time another order was taken, she’d done just what he’d been wanting. And he thought her prices were just a little low too. He would do business with her all the time, even if he never paid her a thin dime for her work.

  Benson had been selling and buying since before that girl was born. To have her get lippy to him about paying would make him laugh every time he thought about it. Didn’t the little bitch know he could and would own her ass if she didn’t straighten up? Well, he’d won against her, and she’d better be changing her attitude, or someone was going to have to take her down a few pegs.

  Benson was just putting his computer to sleep—he’d been playing solitaire all morning—when his secretary came into his office without knocking. He had disliked her since he’d been coming by to see Franklin or his wife, and she’d give him a devil of a time with one thing or another. Denise had worked for Franklin when the company had just started. So, she knew all the skeletons in his—

  “I told you not to fuck with her.” Denise laid the paperwork on his desk. “That is what showed up on my printer about five seconds ago. Just before it posted in big red letters to call James Programming. I’m sure you’re going to hear from every one of the people you have down on the floor soon too.” The paper said, several times in a row, that the system had been shut down for nonpayment of bill. “I’ve checked too. That is on all the computers. So, the entire company knows you’re a cheap fuck, and that is why the company is coming to a stop. I so wish Franklin were still around.”

  Almost as if she’d let them come through, his phone started pinging that he had calls coming in from different departments. Sitting back down, he asked Denise what she was talking about. He thought she was taking too much pleasure in the fact that his company was shut down.

  “Well? Start it back up again. I’ve seen you restart your computer when it acts up.” Denise told him all the computers were shut down. There wasn’t any way to turn them back on when the program that connected them all was gone. “What do you mean, it’s gone? There is no way she was able to shut down my company so quickly.”

  “Obviously, there is a way, and she did it. I’d say she knew just what she was doing when she put in that kill switch for this company. It’s really too bad that more companies you’ve treated the way you tried to treat her didn’t have a kill switch.” He told her to shut up. “Sure, I can do that. But there is something else you should know, Benson. The data we have been storing on her program? Well, it’s all gone. I’ve read over the contract, and you’re fucked as of the moment you decided your way was the only way things should go. By the way. I quit.”

  He was still sitting at his desk when he realized two things. He really was fucked, and that a little bitty company had taken him down. Picking up his phone, he pressed the number that he had for her company. It was time to get things organized and back to working order. Or, he thought, heads were going to roll.

  Benson thought she damned well have better saved his data. Otherwise, he was really going to own her ass. When the phone was answered, Benson started talking before he realized it was a recording. He had to call the number back twice before he understood the message he’d gotten.

  “Hello, Benson Alexander. This phone call and any other future calls are no longer going to be answered by this service. You were given a stipulation, and you chose to ignore it. You will be notified by mail of all the charges that have been added to your original bill. James Programming will no longer do business with your company nor any of the subsidiaries you own. Have a nice day.”

  “Have a nice day? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Benson turned his phone off and sat there with his head in his hands. “Jesus H. Christ, she did just what she said she was going to do. Exactly like she’d threatened.”

  There wasn’t going to be coming back from this, not with all his data missing. He just knew he’d fucked with the wrong person. Picking up the phone again, he called his wife. She must have heard from some of his managers because she started in on him as soon as she answered. “I’m sorry, love. I truly am.”

  “I knew this was going to happen, Benny. I tried to tell you when I read over the contract that this person was savvy, and they’d not take you screwing around with them. Now, look. You’ve killed my father’s company because you’re a cheap bastard that thinks you know so much more than anyone else. My father would be rolling over in his grave if he knew you’d tried to screw a little company. They’re what made him the man he was.” He told her it wasn’t completely his fault.” Oh no? Then who do I have to talk to about them being fired over this? Did you tell someone to pay the bill? Did you tell her you were going to do it before she shut us off? It’s gone, isn’t it? My family’s entire company is in ruin because you had to be the big man you’re not. Fucker. I’m so mad at you right now I want to bash your head in. Don’t you dare come home. If I see you, I might just follow up on handing you divorce paperwork the minute you cross over the threshold. I’m so glad I kept the house in my name. At least we have that to fall back on when the creditors come calling.”

  “Honey, please don’t hate me for this. I forged your name to the paperwork several years ago. I used the house as collateral for the villa in France.” Silence. It was the worst kind of screaming at him as far as he was concerned. “Beth? Are you there?”

  “Yes, I’m here. I have no idea why I’m still here, but this is the last straw, Benny. Don’t bother calling here again. Don’t expect me to be there for you either. I’m finished. Forever. I told you the next time you did something stupid, I was going to divorce you. Thankfully, I had a prenup signed when we were married all those years ago. I’m done with you.” The phone was still humming its song of disconnection when he put the phone back in the cradle.

  Getting up, he made his way to the lower levels where his car was parked. He was glad now that he’d driven himself to work today. It seemed like years since he’d talked to Miss James. He was a ruined man. There wasn’t any way he was ever going to recoup his business now. Nothing to do but to find himself a place to hide out and stay
there until things settled down. However, he didn’t think that was going to be anytime soon. Then there was also the fact that his wife, who owned everything they had, was pissed enough to more than likely ask for and get a divorce from him.

  His cell was ringing when he got into the car. Benson didn’t know the number, but he thought perhaps he should answer it. The man at the other end of the call told him his name as well as who he was working with—none of which he caught when the man paused.

  “I’m sorry. I’ve just had something terrible happen and didn’t catch all that.” The man, Fisher Prince, told him he worked for the company James Programming. “Yes. All right. What is it I can do for you, sir? As I said, I’ve been having an issue on my end.”

  “I asked if you were going to pay off what you owe Miss James. The full amount plus penalties. You still have an hour before the program is completely washed out. I’m sending an itemized bill to your fax machine now.” He told the man he was not in his office at the moment. “I’d like to suggest that you get your ass back up there and see what the bill is. Pay it and keep your mouth shut.”

  “I’m going there now.” He didn’t get pissy when the man told him to hurry twice more. “I’m almost there. Just tell me the amount, and I’ll pay it as soon as I get to my office.”

  It was much higher than he thought it should have been, but there was no time to quibble about it. If he could get his data back, he knew he’d be able to keep going. Then perhaps his wife would think about not kicking him to the curb.

  Paying the amount in full had him hoping he’d done it correctly. Mr. Prince, the attorney for James Programming, told him as soon as it cleared everything would be turned back on. Almost as soon as he said that, Benson’s desk phone stopped pinging red lights, and his computer came back online. Sitting there, waiting on Mr. Prince to tell him what he was to do now, he nearly sobbed when Prince told him it had been restored.

  “Mr. Alexander, there isn’t any way you can blame this on James Programming. You were warned, several times as a matter of fact, that this could and would happen. The fact that she heard from your wife just prior to calling you is the only reason Miss James held the program for her. However, you will no longer be able to do business with this company. Not even for upgrades or for any other programs. Do you understand?” He said he did. “Good. You have a nice day, sir. James Programming is no longer going to service your company or any subsidiaries you own.”

  Putting the phone on the desk, Benson did something he’d not done in a very long time. Longer, he thought, than he should have let it go. He prayed, thanking the Good Lord for letting Miss James have a better heart and business sense than he did. Also, for his wife to take him back. But he had a feeling she really was finished with him. Benson would even bet he would no longer be working for the company. She’d cut him off faster than he could blink. And sadly, he deserved it.

  Going to a hotel, his only option, he thought, he didn’t bother calling his wife. What could he say to her that she’d not just cut down? He’d been a total fuck up since her father had died, and he’d taken over the business. There was only so much he thought anyone could take, and his wife had had more than her fair share of hardships concerning him.

  Self-reflection wasn’t something he’d done before, but as he sat in the hotel room, he did just that. Thinking about his wife, he realized he’d been worse than the worst kind of husband.

  There had been no children of their union because he’d not wanted to share his money. Benson had never wanted his nights filled with the noise of little ones running around. Nor had he wanted to have to parade his ass around to school events or the like. Now it was much too late for him to even consider how he’d hurt Beth with his attitude.

  Benson also knew he’d have to train someone to take his job over someday. The thought of telling someone all his little tricks wasn’t something he wanted to do either. It occurred to him at that moment that he’d been just what his wife had called him—a selfish prick. Benson had never felt like she’d been giving him any kind of fair assessment. But right now, he knew she’d been absolutely correct. In all things. Damn it, he thought. There was nothing he could do about it now. He’d fucked everything up by trying to be bossy to a company with more integrity than he’d ever had.

  ~*~

  Fisher watched Piper pace. She was good at it too. While most people would walk in a straight line to and fro, she moved around the camper, touching things, putting things away while she spoke to herself. Once in a while, she’d ask him a question, but for the most part, she just talked to herself.

  “How did you know he would pay if I simply turned off the Internet?” It took him a second to realize the question was being put to him. “You took a big chance with this. Don’t you think?”

  “No. I mean, I have an idea what could be happening with the program if you had turned it off. But in just turning off the Internet, it scared him enough that he thought he was screwed over. Why did you call his wife?” She told him. “Okay, I guess that makes sense. She is the one that would be in charge of the money if she owned most of the stock. Do you think she’ll do what she said and divorce him?”

  “Yes. He’s done this before—several times, as a matter of fact. The fact that she didn’t know about how he’d used the house as collateral really hurt her. I think that hurt her more than him fucking with her family’s company.” Fisher knew he’d have been hurt by that too. “You doubled the price on what he owed me. I’m not sure that was the way to go with him. It didn’t take me anything at all to just turn the Internet back on.”

  “How many days was he late on paying you in the first place?” Piper told him he was ninety days late on a net ninety payment. “I don’t think doubling what he owed you was nearly enough. While I don’t know how long it takes you to write a program, I believe you’re underselling yourself. But then that’s just me. Will you please come here and hold me? My cat is all jumpy because you’re jumpy.”

  She stared at him. “That’s the stupidest pickup line I’ve ever heard.” He laughed at her. “I do sort of feel like my skin is on fire for some reason. Is that the reason? Because I need you to touch me in some way?”

  “Which way would you like for me to touch you?” He could hear the huskiness in his voice. The need to be with her, hold her, touch her bare skin, made his cock swell and thicken. “I’m not suggesting anything, but the thought of touching you is making me sort of stiff.”

  “Sort of stiff? I’m standing five feet from you, and I can see how hard you are. Why do men do that? Get all hard at any kind of thought of touching skin?” He didn’t have an answer for her, so he just watched her as she moved toward him, but stayed away too. “I don’t know a great deal about sex. I’ve sort of had it, fumbling around in the back seat of a car. Trying to figure out how a condom was put on. Things that I suppose someone my age has figured out. I didn’t date too much after my dad passed away.”

  “I don’t imagine there was a great deal of time.” She sat on the floor in front of him. Not in a sexual way, but just sitting on the floor. Not that his cat cared what sort of pose she was in, he just wanted her. “I’ve spoken to my parents about finding you. My dad, of course, has spread it all over town that I’m here with you. Also, you’ve not met her as yet, but Harper, my brother Bryant’s wife, has been looking into things about your family.”

  “Are you changing the subject? Or is it important that I know these things right now?” He told her he thought it was safer if he changed the subject. “All right. But safer for who? Never mind. What did Harper find out about them?”

  “Your sister is broke. Again. I guess every four years, or so, she gets herself into a position that makes it so she can’t make her house payment, nor pay anything to the private school where she sends her son. This time there doesn’t seem to be a way for her to get out of it. Gambling, I was told. Peter, by the way, he’s a great kid.
Harper was impressed by a great many things she found out about him and your niece Rachel.” Piper told him she liked the kids better than she did her brother and sister. “I can understand that. In a couple of weeks, they’ll both be eighteen and have already made plans to leave the houses. Rachel had a scholarship to Brown, but she’s not going to be able to take it. Louis borrowed against it to pay for some material to be printed up in a scam he’s running. Harper is looking into that too.”

  “What about my sister? I know she’s been in trouble before with money. When I called to tell her Mom was in the hospital, she thought I was a bill collector and screamed at me for ten minutes before I was able to let her know it was me.” Fisher told her what he knew about both of them. “I don’t know all that much about it, but even I can tell that selling property you don’t own is against the law. And gambling has always been a problem for Mary. What happened with Louis? Did someone get wind of it?”

  “Yes. Harper did it just before she told me what was going on.” When Piper smiled, he grinned with her. “She has some pretty impressive contacts and dropped a few hints here and there so that it would be looked into. Will you come up here and sit with me?”

  “In a minute. I need more information.” Fisher thought about sitting on the floor with her, but he was sure that would scare her. She seemed to be skittish about things like that. “That’s the reason they’re pushing so hard to get something from Mom’s estate or me. Isn’t it?”

  “Harper said Louis is getting to the point of desperation about money. She told me he’s purchased a gun. While she doesn’t have any idea what he is going to use it for, she wanted me to ask you if you’d be willing to go home with me so we can all protect you from him. If that’s what his plan is.” Piper asked him if he thought he was going to kill her. “He can’t kill you, not with you being an immortal. But he can hurt you physically and mentally. I don’t want to have to kill him for hurting you in any way.”