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“Go.”
She turned back to peer at the house, no longer minding him. Tentatively, he stayed for a good long minute before inwardly cursing and backing away from their stakeout spot. Once on the road, he glanced at his watch again and made a run for it, guilt and regret pulsing inside him the whole way. He would make it up to her. He would try to catch up.
That was all forgotten when he hailed a cab and prayed that he would beat the New York traffic.
The older he got, the harder it became to lead a double life, especially when he was adamant about separating the two: his shifter life non-existent to the humans in his corporate world, and his work ventures a private matter from his bear kin. That meant telling his clan leader, Angelo, that he needed someone to fill his guarding duties in the next few months until he settled into his work.
It also meant smiling as politely as possible to the company secretary, Jane Ingrid, to hide the fact that he had been running like hell the last few minutes—and maybe shifting partially in hidden corners to lend to his speed. At least he made it here on time.
“Mr. Kench will see you in his office now,” Jane said, wasting no time as she ushered him out of the lobby. Everything about the office was slick, from the marble floor tiles to the expensive, monochrome paintings on the wall. But nothing was slicker than the head’s office, where no art hung on walls but plenty of statues were displayed in gold and crystal.
He sat on the chair facing Harold Kench and felt underdressed in his jeans and shirt. Thankfully, the dark coat hid it all. Curiosity rose that the head would meet Charlie himself, but he hid it with another smile and took the offered hand.
“Mr. Kench, thank you for having me.”
“Mr. Bennett. Finally. So, you are the man that they are talking about.”
Whatever curiosity he had popped at the statement, like a balloon deflating. Dread followed as he knew in that instant that this meeting was last-minute for Mr. Kench, too, and the impatient aura the man emitted cemented that.
“The standard protocol would have been to finalize the papers and inform HR first, but we got a call from a very important client that it would be best to inform you now.” Mr. Kench leaned forward slightly. “Normally, I don’t do favors, but Francis and his family are good friends of mine. So, to balance that out, this special favor will be grounded on every written information and background we have about you, including your interviews and tests.”
“Of course, Mr. Kench.”
A pause.
“I regret to inform you, Mr. Bennett, that we have decided to go with another candidate for the managerial position. But you are still highly qualified for our company, and if any vacant position suitable to your skills becomes available, we will be sure to call you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kench. I understand and that’s very gracious of you.”
“Any questions?”
“None, sir. I am relieved.”
“Relieved?”
“That you judged me fairly. I would hate to be a part of this great company just because someone called in a favor.”
Surprise filled the man’s features. The impatience disappeared as he assessed Charlie more closely, then nodded slowly.
“Very well. Have a good night, Mr. Bennett.”
“You too, Mr. Kench.”
He left the office brooding and lightheaded, but also just slightly resentful. Five minutes later, the expected call came. Hayley Morrow’s voice filled his senses, excitement fluttering and more melodic when she got in that state.
“So, how was it? Did you get the job?”
He could imagine her face now: bright eyes, a sultry smile, and just that slightest smirk whenever she felt smug over something. The woman he had been dating for close to a year now was good at planning things out but better at reaping their rewards, and realization struck that this was yet another supposed reward for her: his career position.
“I didn’t get the job,” he said, keeping his tone light. “But they will call me again when there’s a new position.”
“What?”
“I was thinking we could celebrate, anyway, since that’s still a success. How about dinner at Denzo tonight?”
“You didn’t get the job?” Hayley gasped, ignoring his invitation. “What did they say?”
“That I was just not suitable enough.”
