“One of the staff will escort you to the front door,” I said firmly, trying not to let my unease show.
Still, Alex remained seated.
“Here’s the thing, Liza,” he began, leaning back in his chair, resting his hands behind his head, and crossing his leg. “I’m not here for a job. Sorry. Well, not sorry. I couldn’t give a fuck about being an assistant chef. I faked my résumé, used my friends as references, and landed this interview. Pretty genius, huh? I live locally and heard through the shifters that you were the mystical omega. I’m only here because I wanted to see if you’re as magical as everyone seems to think.”
“Excuse me?” I exclaimed. What on earth would possess someone to go to all of that trouble? “I think you’ve seen everything you’re going to, Alex.” My voice was like ice. “I think you need to leave. Now.”
“Wait,” he protested, standing up abruptly, and I jerked back. “I want to witness a miracle. That’s all. Just one little miracle.” His eyes became dazed, and a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach.
There was a security guard right outside door, but it did nothing to quell the fear that threatened to overwhelm me. This situation was spiraling out of control, fast.
I opened my mouth to call for a guard, but Alex reached for a box cutter that had been left on my desk when my extra office supplies had been unpacked.
“No!” I screamed in horror as Alex grabbed the box cutter. His hand moved quickly to his wrist. Oh my fuck, he was going to cut himself.
My cry alerted the guard outside, who burst into the room just in time. He disarmed Alex, the box cutter clattering on the floor, and pinned Alex there with it.
“Are you okay, ma’am?” the guard asked, panting slightly.
“Y-yeah, I’m fine. Thank you,” I stammered, my body shaking. Sitting back down, I tried to regain some semblance of composure.
“Is everything all right in here? I heard Liza scream. What the fuck happened?” Ty suddenly appeared in the doorway. No doubt he’d heard the commotion from upstairs in his office.
“Sir, this man tried to harm himself with a box cutter, but I managed to stop him.” The guard continued to restrain Alex, who still seemed dazed.
He had to be on something. I wanted him out of my fucking house.
I took a shaky breath and held up Alex’s résumé. “He faked all of this just to get into a room with me. He said he’d heard from some local shifters that I’m the mystical omega and wanted to witness me performing a miracle.” I put a hand over myeyes. “I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if security hadn’t intervened.”
Ty knelt next to me, worry blazing from his blue eyes. “I don’t think you should hold any more interviews with non-pack members, Liza. At least our people can be trusted. Give me your list, and I’ll cancel the rest of your interviews today.”
“Maybe you’re right,” I said, still processing everything that had just occurred. But before we could discuss it further, a timid voice interrupted from the doorway.
“Excuse me? Is this a bad time?” A young redhead stood there, clearly out of place amidst the chaos. “I’m here to interview for the assistant chef position.”
My instinct was to send the girl away, but I hated not giving her a chance after she’d gone through the whole process, including the screening at the front gate. Not that it had stopped the illustrious Mr. Strand.
“Come on in.” I refused to let Alex’s actions ruin the rest of my day. “Have a seat.” I pointed to the chair across from me as security escorted Alex from the room.
“I’ll be right outside if you need anything.” Ty kissed me on the forehead, and I turned my attention to the redhead.
I flipped through my notes, suddenly flustered. “I’m sorry, can you remind me of your name?”
The girl smiled. “I’m Rosalie.”
Right. The twenty-one-year-old cook. I remembered being impressed with her résumé, but now I couldn’t help wondering if she’d also doctored her work history.
“Nice to meet you, Rosalie. Why don’t you tell me a little about yourself?”
Rosalie grinned and giggled before clapping her hand over her mouth. I was immediately drawn to her bubbly personality. “I live here in Presley Acres and, honestly, I’ve been a big fan of yours ever since you catered an event at my aunt’s house a fewyears ago. Your chicken pancetta is to die for.” She waved her hand in the air. “Sorry, I’m already way off track. Uhm… I’ve been working as a cook at the Italian place on the edge of town. Maybe you’ve heard of it? Bella Cucina?”
“Yes, I’ve eaten there a few times. The pasta is handmade, right?”
Rosalie nodded. “Yeah. It’s a tedious process, but you can’t beat the flavor.”
We talked for half an hour, and Rosalie impressed me with every passing minute. She was certainly a breath of fresh air after the ordeal with Alex.
“All right, Rosalie. Let’s put your skills to the test.” A challenge would determine if she was as talented as she claimed to be.
