Chapter 31
“I brought you some food,” Aiden said, sitting the tray on his desk.
Joseph said nothing but just as Aiden turned to leave, Joseph called him back.
“Aiden?” Joseph said, Aiden paused and turned to him. “I have a friend that sees this woman glowing in the crowd. Do you think there’s something wrong with his eyes? Like a medical condition?”
Aiden narrowed his eyes at Joseph and stared at him with confusion crossing his face.
“Um…” Aiden said, cocking his head to the side. “That’s not a medical condition I’ve ever heard of.”
Frustrated, Joseph huffed and leaned back into his seat.
“It just makes no sense for him to see that woman glowing all the time. No matter where she is, he can always find her because she’s glowing. Plus, her scent is so potent…” he paused awkwardly and cleared his throat. “He says he can smell her easily. He must be getting an illness, right?”
Aiden stared at him for another long while. Then he broke out into a grin like he wanted to laugh, but he held back. He straightened his posture and stabilized his grin, so it wasn’t so obvious.
“Well…” Aiden began, “I wouldn’t say he is catching an illness. But I would say he might be in love.”
Joseph narrowed his eyes at Aiden; he could see in Aiden’s eyes the amusement that wanted to escape from him. it annoyed Joseph who just scoffed in disbelief.
“A wise man does not fall in love,” Joseph muttered, refusing to meet his eyes again.
“Isn’t this about your friend?” Aiden asked, his tone filled with humor.
Joseph clenched his fists into balls.
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Joseph asked through a tightened jaw.
Aiden tensed and nodded.
“Yes, sir,” he said turning away and running toward the door. But Joseph swore he heard him laughing slightly as he left the room.
It was a sleepless night for Joseph; he was up all night thinking about what Aiden had said, about being in love. It was such an absurd accusation but that tightness he was feeling in his chest since yesterday wasn’t going away. James has been quiet since they last saw Anna. He was sure that his wolf was angry with him for letting her go once again.
Aiden popped his head into Joseph’s office and told him he was running to the bank and would be back as soon as possible. Joseph jumped from his chair and suggested that they go to the bank together. He wasn’t sure what his game plan was or what he wanted from it, but he knew he had to see her, even if it was just for a moment. His wolf was in agony over their distance, and he needed to calm down.
As they reached the bank, he stood outside on the sidewalk, staring up at the top floor. As the bank manager that’s where Anna’s office would be. She was overlooking the city; he couldn’t believe that Anna managed to get a job like this with a gorgeous view in her office.
Just before he stepped into the bank, a couple of young men came out of the bank. They were red in the face and looked shocked; one of them had his jaw to the ground and the other had a stupid grin across his face.
“Holy shit,” one of them finally breathed. “That was so hot.”
“I can’t believe we saw her boobs,” the other said in a softer tone.
Who are those little punks talking about?” James asked, he was growing angry.
Joseph stepped towards the young men and stared down at them; his eyes were red with fury and both the boys were shaking in their shoes as they stared up
at him.
Who?” He asked, his voice cold and hardened. “Who is it you saw?”
“The… The bank manager,” one of the boys answered. “I think her name is Ann or Anna…”
Without thinking, Joseph punched the boy in the stomach, knocking out his wind. He tumbled to the ground, coughing as he held his stomach in agony. The
other boy looked terrified and looked like he was about to run away. Joseph grabbed onto his collar and tightened his grip, sneering at his face. James was about to break free from him and rip this kid’s throat out. All he was seeing was red at this point.
The kid opened his mouth to say something, but only a small squeak escaped his lips. Joseph headbutted the kid in the nose, allowing him to fall to the ground and into a pile of his own blood that his nose was producing. He cried out in pain and just before Joseph was about to kick them while they were down, Aiden grabbed onto his arm and pulled him away.
“Sir, think of your reputation. It’s not worth it,” Aiden warned him.
He knew Aiden was right, but he still wanted to beat them until they were nothing but puddles on the ground.
“Take the deposit and go inside,” Aiden said, shoving the deposit into Joseph’s chest. “I’ll clean this mess up.”
Joseph hissed in anger, his hands trembling as he worked to keep them still; he wouldn’t take his eyes off the boys that were currently crying on the ground.
“Don’t you ever look at Anna in such a way, again. Think of this as a warning,” Joseph hissed as he turned and stomped into the bank.
As he entered the bank, he was instantly hit with Anna’s scent. It reminded him of the scent of fresh peaches and his anger subsided. He suddenly felt tranquil and calm in the bank. He walked up to one of the women at her desk, trying to keep his voice low.
“I need to speak with Anna,” he told her.
She frowned.
“She’s in her office. If you take a seat, I’ll have her come down,” she said, staring up at him.
He shook his head and walked past her, toward the elevator.
“No need,” he muttered. “I’ll go see her myself.”
He entered the elevator and allowed it to take him to the top floor. It brought him to the door of Anna’s office. He was hesitant for a moment before knocking. She opened the door, trying to cover her body with the torn fabrics of her shirt. Her makeup was running down her face as tears welled up in her eyes and soaked her features. But she still looked so beautiful.
James instantly felt calmer, and he wanted to run and be close to her.
“What do you want?” She asked between sniffles.
He sighed and took off his blazer to wrap around her shoulders. She took a step away from him cautiously.
“I’m alright,” she told him.
He quickly wrapped the blazer around her shoulders before she had a chance to step away from him again. She rolled her eyes and looked like she was about to take the blazer off, but he grabbed onto her shoulders, squeezing them tightly and holding her in place. Her eyes were large and alert as she made eye contact with him.
“What do I have to do to get you to accept me?”
