Wicked Bite (Realm Enforcers #5)(107)

Simone took the paper and shook Nessa's hand. "On behalf of the Council of the Coven Nine, your resignation is accepted. Thank you from a very grateful nation." Simone's lips trembled, and she cleared her throat. "You have served with honor and great bravery."

Nessa smiled. "Thank you."

They looked at the camera. The light on top flickered from green to red. They both visibly relaxed.

"Well," Simone said. "I could use a bloody vacation."

Nessa chuckled, her gaze seeking Bear's over the camera. "Me, too."

Something dinged, and their attention swung to one of the screens. Simone waved and then moved out of range, walking by Bear and patting his arm. Her mate was waiting at the doorway, more than a little insistent that she now get some rest.

Nessa smiled. "King Kayrs. What a nice surprise."

Bear lifted his eyebrows but couldn't see the screen from his vantage point. 

"Nessa, that was a lovely speech," Dage said, his voice clear.

Nessa frowned. "How did you-"

"I'm the king." Dage sighed heavily. "Have you made a decision about my job offer?"

Bear straightened away from the wall. Job offer? Weren't couples supposed to talk about that kind of stuff? He'd said he loved her, for Pete's sake.

Nessa nodded. "I have, and I'm honored, I really am. But I must decline."

Bear lifted an eyebrow.

She held her hand beneath camera range with a finger out. Fine. He could give her one minute.

Dage very loudly cleared his throat. "Nessa, you're crazy. This job is tailor-made for you, coordinating among all nations for the Realm. I'll give you ten million a year plus bonuses. You'd write your own ticket with the job."

Bear frowned. Why the hell was she turning that down? Even from Dage's brief description, it seemed perfect for her.

Nessa sighed. "Thanks, but relocating is a deal breaker."

"Living in Idaho is nice, and you'd only be one state away from your mate," Dage said tersely.

Nessa's gaze met Bear's over the camera, and then she focused back on Dage. "That's too far. Sorry. No deal."

"Fifteen million dollars, multiple bonuses, and you draft policy. Your agenda," Dage countered.

"No." Nessa didn't even pause.

Dage was silent for a moment. "You're telling me that you're choosing Beauregard McDunphy, the most introverted shifter ever born, over the opportunity of a lifetime?"

She looked up at Bear again, her eyes clear, love in them. Yep. That was love. "Aye, King. I choose Bear."

The words nearly floored Bear. His legs wobbled. Nobody in his entire life had chosen him first. Never. He started to shake his head, to tell her to take the job. He could move to Idaho. What was the big deal? Man, he'd hate living with the Realm top brass. But for Nessa, he'd do it. He stepped forward-

"Oh, all right," Dage said. "You can live there and do the job."

Nessa breathed out sharply. Her face lit. "Are you serious?"

"Sure," Dage said.

"King," Nessa said, shaking her head, her eyes twinkling.

The interfering sonuvabitch. Bear couldn't help but smile, even though he tried really hard to keep his frown in place. Nope. He was smiling. Damn it.

Dage continued, "You're good at negotiating, Nessa. So you'll take the deal? The one caveat is that I want you here once a month for a day of meetings. It's only a five-hour drive or a thirty-minute plane ride from there."

Nessa clasped her hands together. "Twenty million a year, the right to create policy, and a plane. I'd like a plane."

Dage was quiet for two seconds. "Are you kidding?"

"No." She waited.

In that moment, Bear couldn't have been prouder. His witch was a badass negotiator.

"Deal," Dage said. The light on the panel blinked off.

Nessa looked up at Bear.

Yeah. That was definitely love in her eyes.





Chapter 34

Nessa stepped out of the river house in jeans and a sweater, her boots flat and her hands covered with gloves. Hanging up her uniform had filled her with nostalgia, but she couldn't just go around wearing it all day.

Snow drifted down again-soft and pretty. Shifters worked furiously around her, repairing the house and making it secure.

She looked across the deck to see her cranky bear barking orders left and right. Should bears bark? Humor bubbled through her, and she made her way toward him.



       
         
       
        

He lifted his head, sniffed, and then turned her way. "Go," he said to the three men he was ordering around. They moved off quickly, obviously not even thinking of hesitating or asking any questions. Relief trailed in their wake.