With Abandon: With or Without, Book 4

realize just who he was shouting
    at, Aubrey raised a brow, daring Boskie to continue.
    “He has slandered my reputation, Aubrey.” Boskie’s tone softened marginally, but he retained his
    threatening stance. “What has he told you? Why in the hell did you hire him? You owe me an explanation.”
    “I don’t owe you anything, Orin.” Keeping his voice and tone steady as though the confrontation
    meant nothing to him, Aubrey caught the older wolf’s gaze. He allowed his eyes to shift and shift back. It was only a small taste, but he knew Boskie would understand the show of power. Not many wolves could

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    voluntarily shift body parts and certainly not that quickly. Aubrey had always tried to hide his abilities, but it was a moot point now. Orin obviously needed proof that Aubrey was capable of stepping into his dad’s shoes in pack issues as well as in business.
    Boskie blinked, bowed his head and dropped into the chair opposite Aubrey. “I’m sorry.” His tone
    took on a more civil cadence and volume. “He’s lying about me. I was in the process of getting him fired from the Macon Buchanan. The next thing I know he quits, and I find out you’ve hired him as your
    executive assistant.”
    That was more like it. “I needed a new assistant, and Carson applied for the job. He’s more than
    qualified, and I hired him. Whatever is going on between the two of you stops here and now. I will not have your personal problems affecting Reynolds Inc.”
    Anger and resentment seeped back into Boskie’s posture, scent and expression. He pointed his finger.
    “Listen, Aub—”
    Aubrey let more of the power he’d concealed for most of his life leak out, giving his fellow pack
    member a slightly bigger taste. He knew exactly what Boskie would feel, because he’d felt his dad’s and brother’s power. Theirs felt tingly, but by letting his power out suddenly it was probably more like a jolt, akin to being zapped. All werewolves could sense one another’s power. It was an ability unique to them, a way of determining hierarchy amongst themselves. It was a sort of sixth sense, like an aura. A wolf’s power hummed like an electric field. It was hard to hide one’s power, but it could be done.
    It did the job. Lurching away, Boskie backed down.
    “Do we have an understanding?”
    Orin gave a crisp nod, stood and turned to leave. His spine stiffened, and his fist clenched at his side before he faced Aubrey again. “You may be my Alpha, but this is a business matter.”
    “Meaning?” Aubrey arched a brow. “Are you threatening me?”
    Boskie didn’t say anything else, he just turned and walked away.
    Carson had the unfortunate timing of entering with the coffees at that exact moment. When he spotted
    Orin, he gasped and backpedaled. His eyes widened.
    Aubrey frowned at Carson’s sudden and intense reaction. Surely Carson knew Boskie couldn’t hurt
    him here.
    Boskie didn’t say a word to Carson, just grabbed him by the throat and shoved as he walked past.
    Son of a bitch. Aubrey jumped up and raced around the desk.
    Carson’s back hit the open door with a thud and propelled it into the wall behind. He juggled the cups, only sloshing a little coffee out before catching his balance. As it was, the door hitting the wall was what saved him from landing on his ass. He ended up with his back pressed up against the door and his feet out wide about three feet in front of his body.
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    With Abandon
    Aubrey took the cups from Carson, allowing him to right himself. “Are you okay?” He glanced out
    the door at Boskie’s retreating back. Bastard.
    “Yeah.” Carson didn’t sound okay. His voice shook.
    Aubrey closed the door and crossed the room to his desk. He set the cups down and motioned to
    Carson to join him. Sitting in his chair, he waited for Carson to take the seat Boskie had vacated. What a clusterfuck.
    “What the hell was he doing here?” After pushing Aubrey’s cup toward him, Carson grabbed his own
    and sat.
    “He wanted me to know you’re lying and that I should fire you.”
    Carson hung his head. “Yeah, I kinda figured. He left me a message last night saying if I didn’t quit,
    he’d make sure you never got those votes for the improvements.”
    Big surprise there. Aubrey took a sip of coffee, letting the rich dark taste flow over his tongue. What he wouldn’t do for a swig of scotch right now. “I’m not worried