I cleared my throat and decided to throw the big bomb at him, which I hadn’t originally thought would be an issue, but now…
Another clearing of my throat. Scratched at my bicep. Tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I want you to know I picked each of these individuals based purely on power level, experience, and availability a few days ago while my group was staying at the hotel…before I knew of our…relationship.” I cracked my knuckles then flicked a finger at the farthest file. “That one I’ve had a sexual relationship with.” My lips pursed as I flicked my finger at the next black file. “And that one I offered to have a sexual relationship with, but he turned me down for another partner.”
And Lord have mercy, the air felt damn heavy in the room as I zipped my duffle closed and carefully picked up the file I had been previously reading, setting it in my lap. “Let me know if you have any questions and what your decision is on the Elementals and Mages.”
Deliberately slowly, Ezra leaned forward, flicking the folders forward with a single finger so he could rest his elbows on the table, and steepled his hands in front of his mouth. And he continued his silence as he stared at me, while I pretended to ignore him and re-read my file.
I heard him inhale heavily before murmuring softly, “In the future, Queen Ruckler, I would appreciate more advance notice than a few hours when new Shifters, Commanders or not, are being brought in to King Shadow.” A pause, and he stated steadily, evenly, but with a touch of bite to his tone, “And you can take your folders of possible new Elemental and Mage Commanders…and shove them up your devious, perfect ass.”
Well…that hadn’t been so bad.
A single finger landed on the second folder I had pointed to, my almost sexual partner. “And even though I don’t have the right to stop you from hiring Shifters into the commanding ranks,” he toyed with the folder, brushing it along with the first folder, the one I had been sexually active with, aside into their own little pile, “I sure as fuck can fire them if I find them doing anything they shouldn’t, minor or not…and it goes without saying that if they are caught in the act of anything I deem illegal, I will eliminate them.”
Never mind.
I blinked slowly up at him. “You stated you wouldn’t assume anymore and speak with me before harming a Shifter again.”
Cold eyes stared back at me. “If I only have assumptions, I will.” A pause as he leaned back onto his chair. “The rest is fair game.”
Lovely.
My jaw clenched, but I flipped the sheet on file on my lap, peering back down to it. “If you kill any Shifter without a Lawful excuse you won’t have only Elder Merrick to deal with.”
Ezra hummed softly. “I do so enjoy a challenge.”
Me, too…me, too.
Chapter Nine
The scent of black bear attacked me right before I froze, muscled arms enveloping me from behind and warm lips landing on the side of my throat, followed by a deep rumble. “Hello, Lily.”
Yep…Finn, my previous lover, was here, live and in person.
I sucked in a harsh breath and quickly broke his hold, spinning to face him. “Hello, Finn,” I countered, stepping back when he took a step forward, a sexy grin gracing his rugged, handsome features. I held out a stopping hand, but I had to quickly jerk it back when he went to grab it. “Finn, I didn’t ask you to King Shadow to resume our intimate relationship.”
His grin only increased. “I know why you brought me here.” He took another step toward me, and I started to step back again, but I stopped myself, holding my ground against him. “But, Commander position aside, I sure as hell wouldn’t mind that sweet little mouth of yours around my—”
I slapped a hand over his own mouth before he got himself killed. We were inside the red tent in the buffet line, and not too far away in the crowd were Antonio and his crew, plus Ezra, sitting at the table we had sat at before, having arrived before me. And I was fairly positive Ezra could hear this conversation. “Finn, I don’t need a walk down memory lane. And I’m sorry if you were wanting something more, but I’m not interested in anything other than having a powerful and skilled group of Shifter Commanders here.” I lowered my hand, seeing his expression had carefully blanked. “And you’ll need to address me as Queen Ruckler in the future…not Lily.”