But his job as a Nephilim and a Malachi were a huge deterrent to bringing the petite, delicate female into his life. The thought of Sam, her blue eyes filled with tears of pain, nearly had him growling. He scowled at the people wanting to get onto the elevator at the next floor, ignoring their return grumbles. No matter how hard he fought it, he couldn’t imagine giving her up. Maybe it was time to stop, time to accept what his heart was telling him. Sam was meant to be his, but there was no way it would happen overnight. He had a job to do before he could begin wooing her.
He would protect the city of Wilmington with his brothers tonight, and leave the rest for later. One step at a time, he’d make Sam his. It would take more than words, more than flowers and candy, but any attempt to reconcile with Sam was better than none.
He just hoped she’d accept his overtures, because he had no idea what he’d do if she didn’t.
Chapter 3
Sam followed Brian Templeton to her new office. The guy really was huge, his shoulders almost brushing the walls of the corridor they were walking down. “Your job will be exactly what you’ve been doing. If someone finds a discrepancy, your job is to find out if it’s a simple mistake or a theft. You’ll also be working on keeping hackers out of the system, possibly tracking them down.”
“Do we contact the police afterward?”
Mr. Templeton grinned. “It depends on how good they are, Ms. Brody. After all, we hired you.”
She was blushing, but she tilted her chin up and put on an innocent expression that probably fooled no one. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
He snorted. “Of course not.” He pointed to an office, a real one, with a door and everything. “This will be yours.”
“Whoa.” She poked her head in. She had a window! “How did I rate this?” She stared at a huge bouquet that rested on a small table near her office door. She even rated welcome flowers! Andi must have sent them to make her feel better about the whole data entry job. She picked up the card, nearly dropping it when she saw Damien’s name on the creamy envelope.
“All of our security officers get an office, including those in cyber security.” Mr. Thompson pointed to the empty name plate. “We’re having the name plate made. Should be here within the week.”
She couldn’t stop the tickled laugh if she wanted to. “I have a door to my office.” She put the envelope back in the bouquet. She’d look at it later. She wanted to bask in having her own office. She’d never rated one before.
Mr. Templeton took hold of her shoulder and steered her past the door. “Ms. Hancock’s office is right around the corner, with Mr. Romanov’s office just past that. He likes his security people close.”
“Where’s your office?” She glanced around, figuring he’d have the largest office in the security area.
“Right here.” He pointed to an office the same size as hers across the hall. The only difference between them was his office was closer to the corridor that led to Andi and Mr. Romanov’s offices and his name was on the door. “If you have any questions or concerns, you come right to me.”
“Is that our new computer guru?” A voice, female, came from the office just behind them. “Thank God she’s here. We’ve got a level four.”
“She’s not done orientation. You’ll have to deal with it while I show her around,” Templeton replied. “As soon as she’s gotten everything she needs I’ll set her to helping you.”
The woman grumbled but smiled wearily at Sam. “Nice to meet you, by the way. I’m Gina Moore. I’m in cyber security with you.”
“Nice to meet you, too. Call me Sam.” Sam held out her hand.
Gina shook her hand. “Welcome to hell.”
“This isn’t hell. I just left hell. This is…an office with a door.”
Gina laughed, but it sounded weary. “Yeah, I heard about the snafu. You’ll have to tell me how you wound up in data entry.” She wrinkled her nose. “Really? Data entry?” She made a rude noise. “Whoever did that has a death wish.”
Sam was too busy trying to figure out something Gina had said to acknowledge the rest of it. “What’s a level four?”
Gina laughed. “A potential employee.” She ducked back into her office when her computer beeped. “Goddamn goat-sucking mother humpers!”
Templeton laughed softly as he led Sam away from Gina’s office. “I understand you’re a friend of Ms. Hancock.”
Sam’s smile disappeared. Gina’s language was colorful. “Yes, I am. Will that be a problem?”
Mr. Templeton shook his head. “Not at all, as long as you don’t make it one. She’s Mr. Romanov’s most trusted employee. Going to her when there’s trouble and I’m not available is understandable, but her primary function is to work for Mr. Romanov directly. If I’m not here, speak to Gina. She’s my second in command.”
She could understand that. “Yeah, Andi’s pretty busy working for Mr. Romanov.” Sam peeked around Mr. Templeton to see Gina waving her hands in the air and yelling at the monitor.
Mr. Templeton pointed out Andi’s office. “Here’s Ms. Hancock’s office.” He nodded to the administrative assistant seated just outside. “And this is Helen Davis, her PA.” Ms. Davis nodded cheerfully.
“You must be Samantha Brody. Welcome to Romanov.”
“Thank you, Ms. Davis.”
Sam heard a familiar, unwanted, beloved voice. “Sam?”
Oh God, no. She wasn’t ready to see him. Her heart pounding, she turned slowly to see Damien Wyatt standing behind her, looking gorgeous as always. She couldn’t resist taking all of him in.
He had his black wool coat over his arm, a garment she’d seen on him before. He looked so good in his charcoal-gray business suit. It showcased his broad shoulders and narrow waist. The white shirt and maroon tie would look average on anyone else, but on him they brought out his golden skin tone. His hair was cut above his ears on the sides, longer on the top, and it looked like he was beginning to grow a beard and moustache.
Yummy. She had to swallow the pool of saliva in her mouth, because damn if she didn’t want a taste of him. The scruff made him look more human, more approachable. Sam hoped he couldn’t tell how much she wanted to touch him, or just hold his hand. She doubted he’d allow even that much.
His dark eyes were wary, his stance one of someone who was about to perform an unpleasant duty. Just what she needed, Damien Wyatt looking like he’d rather suck her boss’s dick than talk to her. Her heart sank into her shoes, her hands shaking as he stared at her.
“Yes, Mr. Wyatt?” She tried to keep her tone completely professional, but seeing Damien again shook her badly. The desire to go to him, to confess her crush on him, warred with her shyness and her knowledge that he wouldn’t welcome anything from her but her swift retreat. So she wasn’t surprised when Mr. Templeton shot her a confused look, or when Damien frowned.
“May I speak with you for a moment?” He glanced at Mr. Templeton. “Brian.”
“Damien.” Mr. Templeton crossed his arms over his chest. “Is there some reason you want to talk to my employee?”
Was Damien turning red? “I need to discuss a private matter with her.”
Mr. Templeton stared at him for a few moments, and Sam thought he’d tell Damien to talk to her after hours. But she was wrong. Mr. Templeton turned to her. “Sam?”
Did she want to talk to Damien? Yes, but it would probably wind up being painfully embarrassing or uncomfortable. Even worse, his presence made her tongue-tied.
“Please?” Damien shifted his feet, appearing as uncomfortable as she was. “It’s important.”
She nodded reluctantly. “All right.”
Mr. Templeton uncrossed his arms. “Head to my office when you’re done, Sam. We’ll go over a couple more things before you get settled in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. Templeton walked away, but Ms. Davis was watching them with obvious curiosity. Sam pointed back down the corridor. “We can talk in my office.” Damn it, her hand was
still shaking. She had no idea what to do with her hands once she started walking. It was painfully uncomfortable to be so close to him, unable to touch him.
Damien nodded and followed her quietly. When they arrived at her office he followed her in, shutting the door quietly behind him.
Sam moved behind her desk, leaving him the guest chair. “You wanted to talk to me?”
He nodded, staring around at her impersonal office. “New job?”
She shrugged. She wasn’t about to get into what had happened with him, not when it was partially his fault. “Mr. Wyatt?”
He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I just fired Larry Palmer for theft and industrial espionage.”
She was stunned. She sat in her chair, watching in shock as he began to pace. “What happened?”
“He was the one who stole Falcon.” He took a step forward, his expression a mix of apprehension and remorse. “So I owe you an apology. Also, I’ve cleared your name at my company. Any issues you may have had with finding employment should be resolved soon if you decide to leave Romanov.” He smiled, and it almost looked shy. “Actually, I’d love to have you back with me. I mean, at Wyatt.”
“Um, okay.” She waved her hands, unsure what her reaction should be. She was in shock. Damien had trusted Larry implicitly. They’d been partners for a long time. “But the apology isn’t really necessary.” She pointed toward the flowers. Before she could thank him for them he interrupted her.
“Yes, it is. You were fired because I trusted the wrong person.” Damien stood in front of her desk, his hands clasped in front of him, his feet braced apart. He seemed about as comfortable as she was. “So, I’m sorry. And I’m serious. If you want your job back it’s yours. With a raise, of course.”
“No, thank you. I like it here.” Sam crossed her hands on her desk in an effort to stop them from trembling even harder. If she shook any more she’d be her own private earthquake. “Was there anything else?”
He studied her for a few moments, his expression pensive. “Do you really enjoy your job here?”
She had no idea, since she hadn’t actually started it. “Yes.” Lying was her only option. Telling him she’d been put in data entry because of her reputation, the one he’d given her, would only make this awkward conversation all the more unpleasant.
“I want to make things up to you somehow.” He spoke softly, his gaze darting away from hers. “I’m truly sorry I believed Larry and allowed you to be fired.” His last words were spoken so quietly she could barely hear them.
Sam sighed. She had to put him out of his misery. Maybe if he relaxed she would, too. “It’s not necessary, Damien.” He jolted at the use of his first name, returning his gaze to her face. “He was your partner, I was an employee. You trusted him because you knew him and you didn’t know me at all. It was understandable.” Even if, for a brief moment, she’d hoped Damien Wyatt died in a horrible honey-covered bear mauling.
He made a rude noise, almost making her smile. “I should have seen it sooner.” His expression became determined. “As I said, I want to make things up to you. Beth is your best friend. Dante is mine. It would be uncomfortable if we were still enemies.”
He’d seen them as enemies? She almost allowed her eyes to tear up, but she pushed the sensation back. So much for the dream that he’d finally see her and not what he’d built her up to be in his mind. It hurt, more than she’d thought it would. His opinion of her hadn’t truly changed despite how much she’d wished otherwise. “We can be polite to each other, I hope.”
His cheek twitched. “Of course.” His expression was dispirited. “I suppose that’s all I wanted to say.”
She stood. God, she was still shaking. “Thank you for the flowers, by the way. They’re beautiful. I love lilies.”
He glanced at them, his cheeks heating up. “You’re welcome. It was the least I could do. I just wish…” He shook his head as his gaze returned to hers once more. There was a spark of something in his eyes that made her catch her breath, but whatever it was, it was quickly replaced by a soft smile. “Never mind.”
“I’m not certain what you want from me.” She bit her lip, allowing her nervousness to show. God, why couldn’t she just talk to him? She was all right when someone else was in the room with them. She could pretend that his presence didn’t make her feel like either slinging him over her saddle and riding off into the sunset or hiding under her desk until he went away. “Do you want me to apologize back?”
He seemed startled by her question. “Of course not! Jesus, you of all people should never apologize for what happened. It’s all on my shoulders, and it’ll stay there.”
She swallowed hard. Maybe if she just admitted it, something between them would ease. “You make me really nervous.” She held out her hand and finally allowed him to see how badly she was shaking.
He took a deep breath, but he seemed to relax a bit at her admission. “I’m so sorry about that. It’s my fault, I’m aware of it.” He ran his fingers through his hair, looking almost defeated. “I was out of line. Hell, I even warned Dante about you.”
“You did?” That shocked her. Dante never treated her any differently than he did anyone else, so he must not have listened to Damien.
“Yeah.” He smiled weakly, almost hopefully. “Would it help if I told you I was an ass?”
“Yes.” She also smiled. “I might even consider forgiving you.”
Damien sighed. “I deserve that.” His smile was rueful, but far more genuine than any he’d given up till then. “Think we can be friends? At least for Dante’s and Beth’s sakes,” he added quickly.
“I think so.” She’d take what she could get. Maybe someday he’d see her as something more than Beth’s friend. “Truce?”
“Truce.” Already he’d relaxed more. He was even staring at her with the beginnings of warmth. That soft smile was back, and he was watching her with the air of a man who’d somehow avoided the guillotine.
This could work. Maybe if they started as friends he’d begin seeing her as someone he could come to care for. It had happened between Abby and Seth, after all. Why couldn’t she find the same love with a superhero that two of her friends had? “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
She glanced at the closed door before turning back to him. “You’re like Dante and Seth, right?” She kept her voice low, not wanting anything to go beyond her office.
His eyes widened briefly. “Excuse me?”
She flapped her hands like a bird’s wings. “You know what I mean.” She made a halo over her head with her hands.
He started to choke. “What the hell is that supposed to be?” He started to laugh, the sound so bright she couldn’t help but smile.
“You fight some serious bad guys with Dante and Seth. Like a superhero.”
“I’m not Batman.” He was still chuckling, but his gaze was turning wary.
She moved around the desk to stand in front of him. “Beth told me the truth.”
He muttered something under his breath. “She shouldn’t have.”
And that confirmed her suspicions. Damien was definitely one of the Nephilim. “I want to help.”
Damien scowled. “I want world peace. The odds are the same that we’ll get what we want. You work for Piotr. Let me deal with the baddies.”
“But I can be of use,” she argued. “They use computers like everyone else, right? I’m a good hacker, Damien. I can find things out for you.”
“And put a big-ass target on your back,” he hissed, obviously upset at the thought. “No. You keep your happy ass out of this, you understand?” He took a deep breath, visibly relaxing. “Take a look at Abby. She’s not running out to help Seth battle Shem, right?”
“No, but Beth helps Dante.” Besides, what could Abby do to them, give them a bob?
“Over the objections of all of us, including Dante.” He took hold of her arm, his grip gentle. “Look. No matter what happened between us in the past, the thought
of you trying to fight Shem gives me hives. So, please, for the sake of my sanity, please do not try and help us. Okay?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Fine. But if something comes up where you need a hacker like me, you promise that you’ll call me. Deal? Because if you don’t, I’ll just go to Dante and offer the same thing.”
He shook his head. “Blackmail, huh? Fine. I wouldn’t consider anyone else. I promise.” He held out his hand and she shook it, sealing their pact. The touch of his warm skin sent tingles up her arm. “Now, I really have to get out of here. I was supposed to see Piotr fifteen minutes ago.”
She winced and tried to let go of his hand, but he held fast. “Good luck. He hates it when people are late.”
He rolled his eyes and finally let her go. “I’ll make sure he understands, don’t worry about that. You won’t get in trouble.”
“That wasn’t what I meant, but thank you.” She led him to the door. “Damien?”
“Hmm?” He glanced down at her, once more looking concerned.
She patted him on the arm, hoping to ease him as well as wanting to see if his bicep was as big as it looked under that suit jacket. She was a multi-tasker. “I’m glad we cleared things up.”
“Me, too.” He paused in the doorway. “My turn to ask you something.”
Uh-oh. All her nerves came roaring back. “Go ahead.”
He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear, surprising her. The touch was sweet, gentle, his fingers warm. “Would you be willing to go to lunch with me?”
Huh? That wasn’t what she’d been expecting. Well, she wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but not an invitation to lunch.
He almost looked shy as he continued. “I know we’re all right now, but I still feel like I owe you something. So…lunch?”
“I’d like that.” She couldn’t stop the smile that crossed her face. “Thank you, Damien.”
He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. “No, thank you.”
She watched him walk away, unable to tear her eyes from him. She wanted desperately to cradle her hand, but even she wasn’t that big of a romantic. “I’ll call you,” he declared, waving without looking behind him.
Speak Thy Name (The Nephilim Book 3) Page 3