Chapter 135 The Hardest Assignment

When Alpha Sebastian got home, Jordan was overseeing a team from one of the city’s top boutiques. Garment bags covered the floor, and employees were filling the walk-in closet with clothes, shoes, and handbags.

Alpha Sebastian stopped in the doorway.

The closet had once held nothing but his suits. Now there was no sign that Eira had ever kept anything there.

Jordan noticed his expression and smiled to himself. So the Alpha had finally decided to spoil his Luna. He had cleared out his old clothes and ordered her a whole new wardrobe.

Knowing Eira, she would have worn the same coat for another five years if no one had stopped her.

"We’re out of space," Jordan told the staff. "Put the rest in the guest room."

That had been Alpha Sebastian’s idea. He had ordered the room turned into a proper dressing room for Eira.

Jordan turned as Alpha Sebastian approached.

"Everything’s here," he said. "The clothes and shoes are sorted by season, just like you asked."

Alpha Sebastian looked around the apartment.

For the first time, he noticed how cramped the three-bedroom place felt. Eira had lived here with him for four years and had never complained about the lack of space. She had never asked for a bigger home, either.

"Start looking at houses," Alpha Sebastian said. "I want a few options by the end of the week."

"Sure."

Alpha Sebastian looked at him. "Why is this place still in my name?"

Jordan blinked. "I thought you transferred it to Luna Eira."

"I did."

"Then she must have handled the paperwork herself. She never mentioned it to me."

Alpha Sebastian’s expression darkened. "Check tomorrow. I want a full report on every property and account still tied to my name."

"Will do."

Jordan reached into his pocket and held out a Porsche key fob.

"The car you ordered for Luna Eira arrived this afternoon."

"Good."

Alpha Sebastian took the keys.

It was not exactly a celebration gift for landing the contract, but it would make a decent peace offering.

Four years did not fall apart overnight.

He could fix this. He always did.

"Jordan, get me a few new phone numbers."

"Burners?"

"Numbers Eira won’t recognize."

She had blocked Alpha Sebastian and every member of his family. If she would not take his calls, he would find another way to reach her.

Jordan gave him a doubtful look, then nodded. "I’ll see what I can do."

"And keep an eye on Lila Sterling."

Jordan understood what Alpha Sebastian was asking. He also knew it was the kind of request that could create a serious legal problem.

Still, he nodded. "I’ll handle it."

By the time the boutique staff finished, the apartment looked more like a showroom than a home.

Alpha Sebastian dismissed the crew and took a shower. He had barely stretched out on the bed when his phone lit up.

Finn: Hey, do you know Eira?

Alpha Sebastian remembered the look on Finn’s face the first time he saw her. The kid had been completely smitten.

His jaw tightened.

He started typing.

[She’s my wife.]

Before he could send it, another message came through.

Finn: Do you have her number? Can you send it to me?

Alpha Sebastian stared at the screen.

His thumb hovered over the keyboard. Then he deleted the message, opened Eira’s contact, and forwarded her number instead.

A reply came almost at once.

Finn: Seriously? Thanks, man. I owe you one.

A moment later, Finn sent Eira a connection request.

Then he waited.

A minute passed.Then another.Nothing.

It was late. Eira was probably asleep. She would accept it in the morning.

Finn set his phone on the nightstand and fell asleep with a smile on his face.

--

The next morning, Finn woke to a notification on his phone.

Eira had accepted his connection request.

He was out of bed in seconds and carried that good mood through breakfast.

Fiona watched him over her coffee. "What’s with the grin?"

"What grin?"

"That ridiculous one on your face."

Finn glanced at his phone, trying and failing to hide his smile. "You wouldn’t understand."

"You met someone."

"How did you know?"

His twin dimples appeared.

Fiona studied her younger brother. He was handsome, cheerful, and about as subtle as a golden retriever carrying a stolen sock.

"Let me guess. She’s older."

Finn’s grin widened.

"Finn."

"What? Women our age aren’t exactly lining up for the golden-retriever routine."

"Women our age have standards."

"Older women appreciate charm."

"Older women appreciate a man who knows when to stop talking."

Finn slipped his phone into his pocket. "I’m heading to Carter Group."

"Try not to fall in love before lunch."

"No promises."

In the back of the town car, Finn opened Eira’s contact and sent her a message.

Finn: Hey, it’s Finn. We met at the restaurant. Do you remember me?

Eira saw the message while getting ready to leave.

Eira: I remember you.

Finn: Good. I was worried I’d made a terrible first impression.

Before Eira could answer, her phone rang.

Professor Davies.

"Eira, can you stop by the Silix Institute this morning?"

"Sure. I’m on my way."

"Perfect. I’ll meet you upstairs."

The call ended.

Another message from Finn appeared.

Finn: Are you busy today?

Finn: Maybe we could grab coffee sometime?

Eira: I’m swamped today. I’ll catch up with you later.

She muted the conversation and put her phone away.

A cab took her straight to the Silix Institute.

The guard at the entrance stood as soon as she walked in.

"Good morning, Dr. Crawford."

"Morning."

She gave him a warm smile and continued through the lobby.

"Morning, Doctor."

"Congratulations."

"Welcome back."

Eira returned the greetings with a nod or a smile. She knew most of the staff were only trying to be polite, but she also knew how quickly people started whispering when someone acted as if they were above everyone else.

From the second-floor skybridge, Professor Davies and Claire watched her cross the lobby.

Claire shook her head. "She’s going to greet every person in the building, isn’t she?"

"Probably."

"If she didn’t, half the staff would decide the attention had gone to her head."

Davies smiled. "Let’s get her to the new office before someone else claims it."

They reached the office just as Eira arrived.

Davies opened the door. "Here you go."

Eira stepped inside. The office was larger than she expected, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Institute’s central courtyard.

"This is mine?"

"Unless you hate it."

"I don’t."

"Good. Then let’s get through the paperwork."

He placed several folders on the desk.

"The federal housing office approved a secure residence for you. Your professorship has also been submitted for formal review."

Eira picked up the first folder.

"10 Ashford Lane," Davies said. "The property has cleared the initial security review. Once the final inspection is complete, you can move in."

Eira closed the folder. "I’ll move as soon as I can."

"That’s probably wise."

Davies pushed another stack of folders toward her.

"These are recruitment offers. Universities from New York to California are competing for you. They’re offering research grants, relocation packages, lab space, and tuition benefits for dependents."

Eira stared at the stack. "They’re offering all that?"

"They’re trying to outbid each other."

"I see."

"Don’t rush into anything," Davies said. "Take a few days. Have Susan review the contracts before you sign."

"I will."

Claire had been quiet until then. She pulled out a chair and sat down.

Eira looked at her. "What is it?"

"There’s an update on Dr. Winthrop."

Eira’s expression turned serious. "What kind of update?"

"The investigation is moving forward. The court has also scheduled his sentencing hearing."