The one where she's offered a job

~Bella~

I stood in the doorway, gaping like an idiot at the man from the court.

'Oh my God, what the hell is he doing here?!'

I was going into real panic mode now. Did he come looking for me? Why? And how did he manage to track me down?

"Bella? Why are you just standing there? Come in," Parker called to me pulling me out of my reverie.

I smiled painfully and walked into the room slowly, going to stand beside Parker.

This put me opposite the strange man. His eyes followed my every step, his face unsmiling.

The look was so intense, I almost tripped over my feet self consciously.

It didn't help that the one beside him who was also with him at the court was also watching me just as intently.

"Did you hear what I said, honey?" Parker asked again, turning to look at me. "I said he is going to be our new client."

"Oh," I muttered. "That's nice."

Maybe that was actually nice! Maybe he wasn't here for me after all!

He'd been at court and seen Parker's performance.

Maybe he'd just been so impressed with Parker's performance that he decided to employ our firm?!

Of course! That must be it! Now emboldened, I snuck a look at the man's face again.

His eyes hadn't swayed from me for one second. Those black glittering eyes pierced into my soul. I swallowed.

I smiled brightly. "Hello sir. My name is Bella Smith. Thank you for choosing our firm. And you are?"

"I already told you his name, Bella," Parker said, giving me a concerned look.

"Oh, you did? I'm sorry. I didn't catch it," I said, scratching my head self-consciously.

"I am Reece Nikolai," the man answered by himself in a deep, resonating voice.

It was the first time I'd ever heard him talk. His voice was low and deep, resonating in the deepest pits of my stomach.

I gulped for air. I'd never reacted to anyone so strongly in my life! 'What is happening to me!'

Then finally, the name he said registered in my brain.

Reece? Reece Nikolai? I looked him up and down with wide eyes.

Everyone in the Decacities knew of Reece Nikolai, the enigma!

Reece Nikolai was the alpha of the largest and strongest park in the decacities!

Rumors and stories about his wealth, power and savagery flew around everywhere even though nobody knew how he looked!

Maybe this was another Reece Nikolai? Anyone could have that name, couldn't they?

"Yes. Yes. I'm THE Reece Nikolai," he said impatiently. His tone implied, "Get over it."

I gasped. Did he just read my thoughts? I remember him speaking in my mind that day at court too.

"Bella? Are you okay?" Parker asked, standing up and taking hold of my shoulder.

"Yes! Yes, I'm fine. Sorry. It's just... it's Reece Nikolai," I whispered.

"Yes," he said plainly. "And he is our client." Assured that I was fine, Parker sat back down.

"Mr Nikolai has declared his intention to employ our firm for a case he has," he informed me.

"That's good! Of course, Paker is the perfect lawyer to trust with such a great assignment," I said with my best professional smile.

This was huge! The great Nikolai Reese employing our firm?

I couldn't even begin to imagine the amount of fame and money that could come from this!

"I'm glad you're so happy about the job," Parker said, "...because Mr Nickolai has specifically asked for you to handle the case."

If I had water in my mouth right then, I would spit it out in shock. My mouth dropped open.

"He did what?!" I demanded.

Parker smiled. "I know right! Isn't this wonderful? This is the big break you've been waiting for, my love!"

My eyes were the size of saucers. 'Is he kidding?'

"I don't understand. Why me?" I asked, looking back and forth between them in shock.

"I'm not," Mr Nikolai answered himself in a tone that left no room for arguments.

Parker nodded. "Of course, she'll love to take the case! I'm certain she'll do a wonderful job. She is a great lawyer!"

I almost scoffed out loud. As if Mr Nikolai hadn't seen me completely embarass myself in court the other day. Great lawyer, my ass!

But he was right! This was the big break I'd been praying for! If I became Reece Nikolai's lawyer, my fame would skyrocket through the decacities.

"Bella, Mr Nikolai has some requirements before he can trust you with the case so please take him so you can go over them," Parker said.

I swallowed nervously. I had to take him to my office and converse with him alone? All alone?

I shot Parker a panicked look. He gave me a reassuring smile back.

I swallowed. "Come along, sir. My office is not far," I said politely.

I practically ran over to the door and yanked it open, only to find my way blocked by the mountain of human that was the bodyguard.

I'd completely forgotten he was there. Shocked, I stumbled back, losing my footing. I started falling backwards.

My body crashed into something solid behind me. "Oof!" I gasped as air left my body.

I looked up to see Reece Nickolai behind me, holding my waist casually while my body leaned against his hard chest.

My entire body pulsed with need and euphoria at the feel of his body against mine.

'No! No, this cannot be happening! I am a married woman and I love my husband very much!' I screamed in my head.

I yanked myself out of his arms and marched forward without a backward glance.

Praying to any god listening with each step to save me from this dangerous man.

Back at my office, I opened the door and signalled to Maggie at her desk.

"Save me!" I mouthed to her desperately.

"What?" She mouthed back.

But I didn't have to answer because Nikolai and his two bodyguards appeared in the doorway.

Maggie's mouth dropped open. She gave me a questioning look and I shook my head at her. She swallowed and stood slowly.

No woman in her right mind would see those three men together and not be immediately scared. They reeked of danger!

"This is my secretary, Maggie," I introduced quickly. "And this is our new client, Reece Nikolai."

"This is WHO!?" Maggie exclaimed, her eyes the size of saucers.

I sighed. "Reece Nikolai. Our new client," I said, giving him an unhappy look.

Maggie began to stutter. "Mr Nik- Nikolai. I-I am- such a...um... p-pleasure to m-meet you."

"Mr Nikolai and I are going in to have a brief meeting."

I turned to him. "If you'll please have your er..." What was the werewolf term for them again? "... bodyguards wait out here too."

Nikolai nodded once to his guys and they immediately took up position on either side of the door.

"Let's go," he said shortly.

I nodded and led the way into my private office. "Please sit," I said, pointing at the chair.

He ignored me and continued standing, giving a cursory look around my office.

His eyes flew to the picture of Parker and I on the wall.

I remains standing rigidly behind my desk too, waiting for him to finish his close study of my space.

He turned to me suddenly, pinning me with an icy gaze.

"Sit," he commanded.

I fell into my chair without a word.