Claimed By The Rogue Alpha novel Chapter 28

Leah pasted one more sheet of paper on the wall. She sighed as she ran her fingers down the picture. In it was Olivia. The picture taken on her 18th birthday. Leah knew that she should have used a more recent photo, but then, Olivia hardly ever took pictures. She just had to make do with what was available. Moreover, Olivia never seemed to age.

We'll find you, girlfriend. We will. Sighing, Leah turned around and began making it to her pickup truck. She glanced across the street to find Lyons sharing the fliers too. What a gentleman, huh? Nah, she wouldn’t give him the benefit of the doubt. He still was in her bad books. For him to have agreed to whatever absurd deal Olivia's dad had put in place was enough reason for her to write him off.

But lately, he seemed like a useful had. He'd stayed with her each step of the way. He'd driven her to the station to fill the missing person report, had paid for printing the fliers, had bought nice warm lunch to her. Lyons had magically become a helpmate. She couldn’t believe it.

She unlocked her truck and got in. Resting her head in the headrest. Phew. What a day. It helped that the sun wasn’t shining hard. The cool weather was favourable in this case.

Moment later, Lyons entered in.

“Got us some latte.”

“That's very thoughtful,” Leah said, smiling. “Thanks.” She took it from him and inhaled the scent. She breathed in, relishing the nice scent before taking a sip.

“We're going to get to the root of this,” Lyons said.

Without looking at him, she nodded. “I hope so,” she said in a tiny voice. And then a thought came to her mind. Something she’d been meaning to confront him with. “Why are you doing this, though?”

He took a sip. “What?”

“Helping with the search.”

Lyons held his gaze on her. She appreciated how bright his eyes were. Bright blue. They matched his silver hair. She wasn’t a fan of hair dyes and all, but she wouldn’t lie that Lyons hairstyle didn’t suit him. He looked….cute. Leah could feel her cheek grow hot. She used the coffee cup to hide her blush

“Well, because I’m guilty. I mean, I was a douche. I’d probably scared her away and…” he trailed off, and shut his eyes. Sighing. “I just feel it’s the the thing to do. Plus Olivia is innocent.”

Leah nodded slowly. Her throat was beginning to tighten. She cleared her throat.

Lyons reached for her hand and stroke it. “I’m sorry this happened. I’d never intentionally harm her.”

Leah nodded again, taking her teary eyes to him. “I believe you. “ I don’t know why, but I do.

Lyons smiled, and Leah could bet that that was the warmest smile she'd ever received. She swiftly took her eyes away from him to avoid any more crazy thoughts.

***.

==Matteo==

I couldn’t look for a better word that described the week other than jinxed. Hexed. Everything was falling apart. Nothing seemed to be right. Nothing at all. It started with the company. The sales had taken a nosedive, and for what? For what exactly? This hadn't happened before. I mean, never ever in a lifetime.

And now I was on my way to the company. The first time I was doing this since the tragedy. My face squeezed in a tight frown as the sights of the city zapped across.

I soon arrived at my destination. My driver opened the door for me. I stepped out, the frown still on my face and I strode towards the the fleet of stairs. Determination was inscribed on my face as I ascended the stairs. I had to see to the end of this. I couldn’t bear losing thousands, millions of dollars. Never. I walked through the revolving door and as soon as people saw me, they stopped what they were doing to greet.

I didn’t acknowledge them, but went straight for the elevator. As if programmed, my PA saw me and got into the elevator.

“Good morning, sir. The board members are all present. “

I didn’t reply him and from the corner of my eyes, I could see his lips slowly sealing shut. The elevator dinned open and we stepped out. We walked down the hallway, our footsteps echoing, before we made it in front of a door. My PA pulled it open and I stepped inside. The cool breeze from the AC hitting me. Far across the room was a demarcated section that was walled by glass. That was the meeting room. I walked to that room with my PA following closely behind.

“Yes, sir,” a lady on crew cut answered.

”Can you tell me how much you’re paid monthly?”

“Sir?”

“God dammit!” I slammed my fist on the table, making the items on it to shake. “Can you all behave like the professionals you claimed to be on your CV and stop with the moronic acts? Tell me how much you get as salary!”

Trying to gain composure, she said, “a hundred and fifty grand.”

“Did you all hear her? One hundred and fifty bloody thousand dollars. No single one of you earn less than a hundred, a month. So, can someone tell me why my company is on the verge of getting liquidated?”

“With all due respect sir, we aren’t close to…$

He shut up. For a second, I wanted him to be done with whatever rubbish. Whatever fucking counter statement he had thought up.

“Uh huh. Go om.”

He exhales softly. “We aren”t close to liquidation, sir.”

It was official. My employees were at the height of incompetence. I didn’t know what to do with these bunch of fools. Or wait, I could start by sacking them. Particularly, this jester that called himself. Elliot Griffin.

“I gave you all 48 hours. 48 hours to get your shit together and salvage the situation,” I said and they all knew I meant business. “By the end of the day, if things aren’t going as I wish, none of you would like the outcome.”