Claimed (The Lair of the Wolven #1) by J.R. Ward

“No.”

“No. What?”

“I did not see Daniel Joseph. He was out of town, and I told you on Friday, I’m not dating anyone from work. I’m not dating anybody.”

Ever, she added to herself.

“Well, that’s a damn shame.” Candy adjusted her hoop earring. “I’d give it a whirl if I weren’t a hundred and twenty-six years old. So what do you really want to talk to me about?”

Lydia sipped from her mug again, but was more careful with the hot stuff. “I, ah, I want to know if Peter’s received anything here that seemed … odd.”

“What, like, takeout all the way from Plattsburgh?” As Lydia shot a level stare across the desk, Candy rolled her eyes. “FYI, you have to actually be in a place to get any kind of delivery. Unless it’s me and UPS. I swear, if that driver ever shows his face here, I’m going to—”

“Anything, Candy. A package, an envelope. Something addressed to him that you opened and it turned out to be personal?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” Candy glanced over her shoulder like she was checking to make sure they were alone. Then she sat forward and did the unthinkable. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “What have you found out in here?”

“Not a damn thing.” Lydia shook her head. “He’s either up to no good, but a total mastermind … or he’s just lost interest in this job and doesn’t care what happens.”

“Somehow, I’m guessing it’s the latter. No offense, but I’ve never thought Petey-boy was the brightest brake light in the parking garage.” Candy got to her feet. “And speaking of jobs, C.P. Phalen’s assistant wants to know if you’re in the office today.”

Lydia sat up straight. “The new board chair?”

“That’s the one.”

“What does he want with me? Are you sure he’s not looking for Peter?”

“Oh, no. It’s you. Your name was the one the woman asked about.”

Lydia frowned. “Why didn’t you tell me this immediately?”

“I figured you’d need the coffee in your bloodstream first. And anyway, there’s no hurry. The great and glorious C.P. Phalen won’t be here for …” The woman checked her watch. “Another forty-five minutes or so.”

“What?”

“Hey, at least you’re not in running tights today.”

“That was only once last week,” Lydia muttered with distraction. “Well, fine, a couple times this month.”

“With your legs, you can get away with it. And good thing I brought some donuts in with me—”

“Maybe they’re firing Peter.”

“They’ll have to find him first.”

“My wolf is still alive,” Lydia blurted. “Did I tell you that? He made it through the weekend.”

“I’m glad.” There was a pause. “You know, I’m not much for giving advice. But rich people don’t like it when the rest of us try to trim their feathers. You need to be careful. They’re used to getting what they want and stopping what they don’t like.”

“C.P. Phalen is on the damn board. He should be on our side.”

“He’s not the rich people I’m talking about. Those hotel people are bastards.”

“Have you heard anything in town about them harassing folks? Like people showing up in places they shouldn’t?”

“Not that I know of.” Candy went to the door. “Thanks for doing those invitations.”

Before the woman left, Lydia said, “If they fire me, you’ll make sure Rick takes care of my wolf?”

Candy glanced back. “That’s his job, honey. And he might be a nerd, but he’s a good man. Actually, you should go out with him.”

“Weren’t you trying to set me up with Daniel Joseph?”

“Any available man.”

“I’m not looking for a port in a storm, Candy. Isn’t that the saying? Any available port in the—”

The low growl of a powerful engine percolated through the partially opened window.

“Speak of a port,” Candy said with a grin. “Or is he the storm?”

“This isn’t a romance novel, you know.”

“More’s the pity. And I’ll let you know when good ol’ C.P. gets here. For all the money those board members give, they sure never darken our doors.”

“I’ve only heard their voices over speakerphone.”

“Why are the board meetings always closed door and off-site?”

“I don’t know. Only Peter’s ever met any of them in person.”

“Well, I thought they were just something he made up to give himself more power and authority around this joint. Because, you know, this is such a big, important organization. And yes, I’ll vacuum out there before the big man comes.”

Candy walked off. Returned. “Did I come across as bitter as I sounded?”

Lydia gave the woman a meh. “On the bright side, at least you’ve let all that out before our board chair gets here.”

“I like your perspective. I’ll send Daniel down to you, so you can park your boat in his slip—or no, wait, it should be the other way around. Unless you’re kinky.” Candy rubbed one of her penciled-in eyebrows. “I’m really over the line today, aren’t I. I normalize my hair and all the anti-establishment is coming out my mouth. Not much of an improvement.”