Page 20 of Arrivals & Assets

He scowled, then nodded. “As long as you still give anybody who wants it removed proper consideration.”

“I can do that. But I won’t recommend anybody who wants to tear it out to the landlord until we’re closer to my deadline.”

There were several seconds during which we were at an impasse, then he slumped in the chair. “Agreed, but I’ll still bring them to tour the building… along with other brokers.”

“Understood.”

He paused. “You really should have them rip it out, though.”

“I’m not going to rush things just because you have clients looking for a prime location.”

The scowl briefly returned, but we both knew that I could make things difficult for him. I was required to be on-site for various reasons during walkthroughs, and I was the one communicating with the landlord, not him, since it was a lease reassignment rather than a new lease.

His watch beeped, making him jump. His scent took on a sharp, nervous edge. “That will be the health spa people.”

I nodded as we stood, and I led him down to the front door. I steeled myself to deal with some multi-millionaire’s wife who wanted to pretend to be an influencer by opening a trendy business.

I froze when I saw three corporate-types in suits waiting outside.

William made a noise from behind me, and it spurred me to continue toward the door.

“Gentlemen,” I started as I opened the door.

The three alphas breezed past me as if I were nothing more than another obstacle and strode right to William.

Even their scents were purposefully dismissive.

“Hey, Will,” one in a charcoal-gray suit said, his back to me. “Perfect location. Let’s get this walkthrough done so we can sign.”

“It’s…” William started.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,William,” gray suit said, still acting like I wasn’t there.

I bristled at the disrespect, and my displeasure deepened as they fanned out to start evaluating the space without as much as a word to me.

One—in a dark blue suit—lightly kicked the semicircular granite desk that Ellie had once sat at—a desk that I’d learned retailed for well over ten thousand dollars. Then he muttered something about it being cheap trash before walking away and leaving a scuff mark that I’d have to scrub off before trying to sell it.

“It’s a beautiful space, isn’t it?” William asked in the most kiss-ass tone I’d ever heard. “High ceilings, three floors. Plenty of room for all the treatments you want to offer.”

The third—in a black suit—made his way over to the hall that held the vault. “What’s back here? Can we open up this space?”

“That’s a climate-controlled secure room,” William answered before I could.

Black suit turned, seemed to see me for the first time, and snapped three times. “You… omega… I’m assuming you need to open it for us? Chop chop.”

I took half a step, then pulled my foot back. “No. You three are welcome to leave now.”

Something inside insisted that if I didn’t put an immediate stop to their attitude, it would only get worse. My instincts were screaming that they were not safe, and the last place I wanted to be was upstairs in an enclosed office while they pressured me to remove the vault.

William’s eyes went wide and slightly panicked as he turned to me. But the others grew cold as heavy alpha scents started to fill the air.

The hairs on the back of my neck rose, recognizing the danger, but I didn’t back down.

“Excuse me?” demanded black suit. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

I crossed my arms. “I’m the one responsible for passing your application to the landlord, and, right now, I’d be putting it through the shredder instead.”

“Do you know who we are?” roared gray suit.