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My brother sits on the board for the Nashville Zoo. It’s something he did to stay close to me after Colton pulled me away from him. I didn’t get my job because of my brother’s connection. Boseman Unlimited gives to many charities, and the zoo is one of them.
“I’m the president of the board. I call the meetings, and I wasn’t told of any,” Singer says with an air of annoyance.
Darrell turns away from me to face Singer, and Maverick moves behind him to stand at my side. I look up at him when I feel his hand brush against mine. He looks down and lifts his thumb to softly stroke against the bottom of my lip below the split. I close my eyes and savor his touch. Something I can remember later.
“It was a secret emergency meeting. You mishandled the Parrish incident. You should’ve contacted us right away instead of putting Sydney on leave. We’ve heard directly from her and her attorneys. She told you she couldn’t be outed on camera, and you still did it. We are lucky she hasn’t decided to sue. She will be compensated for her forced leave. We’ve also received several complaints about you belittling employees, not including my sister, who I just heard you make a comment about her marriage. And you are interfering in a Tennessee State Police case.”
I watch as he and President Singer face off.
“How dare you think your money can buy you a seat to protect your sister? She’s been slacking on the job. She hasn’t been dressing professionally in months. And she’s had to come in late several times.”
I’m about to defend myself, but my brother isn’t finished. “My sister is going through a very messy divorce. Instead of confirming if the woman at the front entrance was here on business, you allowed an employee to tell Lydia to go to the gate, where she was then attacked. Lydia should feel safe where she works. As for her attire, you can’t dictate what she wears. Nowhere in the employee handbook does it state the curator is to dress in business professional attire. She can’t do her job in those clothes. My family’s money isn’t protecting my sister’s position, the board of directors is doing that. She held this position before I got on the board. And now, as the acting president, I’m sure I will do a better job than you.”
“Darrell, you can’t be here to do that.” I remind him.
“I don’t plan to. The vice president will be coming around more often, and we are creating a director position. The new position will oversee all the curators.”
Our zoo is different than some because we have curators for each section instead of one for the whole zoo. This allows us to have a specialist in each area. I’m the curator for the mammals, and we have one for reptiles, birds, arthropods, fish, and amphibians. I have several zookeepers under me who specialize in their animals and help me if I need it. But everyone answers to the board. To hear that Singer is being fired or suspended is mind-boggling. He’s been here since I started, and most of the board has been scared of him.
“This zoo is going to go under if you let just any animal stay here.” Singer swings his arm toward where the baby bear is recovering.
“I believe I can talk to the state, and we can see what we can do. That cub is technically evidence. Especially if it’s true you found a tracker on it.” Maverick buts in.
“Mr. Singer, please leave the property.” My brother issues the statement as soon as two security guards step into the area.
Singer huffs and storms out. Darrell turns to Maverick and me.
“Now, what is this about a tracker on the cub?”
I turn to look at Hal before I look up at Maverick.
“While taking X-rays on the cub, we found a small chip. Both Lydia and I knew what it was, and she said she would get ahold of Sergeant Whitlock to let him know that we found it. I don’t believe we should call the phone number we found when we scanned it. Zoo animals aren’t chipped normally, it’s not a practice that we do. But private facilities might. President Singer thought we should call the number and let them know we had the cub.” Hal explains.
“Um, actually,” one of the techs interjects, “I know for a fact he called them already. He left a message saying that we have the cub.”
That butthole. Singer acted like the chip was news to him.
“Shit,” Maverick exclaims.
“Why is this a problem?” Darrell looks around the room.
“Because I found out today that the trafficking ring we are trying to bust puts chips in the animals. It means that you all could be in danger now.” Maverick moves closer to me, but my brother blocks his path.
“Then I guess that means you’re coming home with me, Sis.” Darrell has a satisfied grin on his face. This is what he’s been wanting ever since the beginning.
“No.” I step away from both of them. I’m not going to be dictated to, and I’m not going to give up my life for them. “I’m not leaving. The kids have Krystal, and I have the security that’s here at the zoo. I’ll be fine.” I look at Maverick, and he gives me a slight nod. “I’m not leaving,” I say to my brother. “Go home.”
I head out of the building and hear both of them following behind me. Darrell is grumbling to Maverick about me being headstrong, but I ignore him. I have work to do, and I have a meeting later today to secure the kids’ and my future.
“Wait, Lydia.” I stop at Maverick’s words.
I turn around and almost collide with him. His strong hands grip my hips to keep me from falling, and my hands land on his wide chest. I look up at him and grip his shirt as I feel him surround me. His woodsy scent combined with his natural scent overtakes my senses. I try to control my breathing, but when I look into his beautiful green eyes, I know I didn’t do so well. A warm flush works its way over my skin, and I hear my brother clear his throat. But I’m only focused on the man whose arms I’m in. I shouldn’t want this. I can’t want this. Yet all I can think about is those lips of his coming down on mine.
I feel his cock harden against my belly, and he clears his throat and steps back. The action is like a bucket of ice-cold water being dumped over my head.
“Sorry.” I look down, trying to hide my embarrassment.
“I’ll be in touch. We need to discuss what to do about this latest development with the tracker.” I look up again as he moves away from me. His long strides carry him in the opposite direction. The path he should be headed. He doesn’t need to get involved with me.
