Chapter 50 The Chili Chicken

Eira slipped off the coat.

"If I can’t afford it, I’ll return it."

Alpha Killian stared at her, clearly not expecting her to call his bluff.

Lila quickly pulled the coat back over Eira’s shoulders.

"He’s messing with you. The outfit was about four grand, not a hundred thousand."

Eira took out her phone and sent Alpha Killian the money.

His phone buzzed.

"You haven’t even gotten your first paycheck from Sterling."

"I have my own money."

He sent it back.

Eira’s phone buzzed a second later. She met his eyes.

"Keep it, or I’ll take everything off and leave it on your couch."

Lila nearly spit out her coffee.

Alpha Killian’s gaze swept over Eira’s dress before returning to her face.

"You might want to rephrase that."

"You know what I meant."

"Do I?"

A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes.

Eira sent the money again.

"Send it back one more time and you’ll find out."

For a moment, neither of them looked away.

Then Alpha Killian slipped his phone into his pocket without returning the money.

"Fine."

--

The three of them sat down, and Lila opened the takeout containers.

Sandwiches, fries, salads, and soup covered most of the table. Then she lifted the lid from the last box.

The chicken inside was deep red, served over white bread with pickles on the side.

Lila leaned back.

"Please tell me that isn’t the kind that comes with a waiver."

Alpha Killian slid the box toward Eira.

"You asked for Nashville hot chicken."

Eira looked at him.

Last night, she had asked for two things. A Band-Aid for her heart and chicken hot enough to burn for two days.

He had remembered both.

She picked up a piece and took a bite.

The heat hit immediately. Her eyes watered, but the familiar mix of spice, fried chicken, and pickles made her smile.

Lila stared at her.

"Your face is turning red."

"It’s supposed to."

"That cannot be enjoyable."

"It is if you do it right."

Alpha Killian pushed a glass of milk toward Eira without a word.

She took it, still smiling.

"I haven’t had this in four years."

Lila’s expression changed. "Why not?"

"Sebastian gets heartburn, and his family hates spicy food. Dinner was always about what they wanted."

"So you never ordered something for yourself?"

Eira shrugged. "After a while, it felt easier not to."

Lila looked disgusted.

"They couldn’t let you have one meal you liked?"

Eira glanced at the chicken.

"They never thought to ask."

Alpha Killian’s face remained calm, but his jaw tightened.

Lila pushed the entire box closer to Eira.

"Then it’s all yours. Alpha Sebastian can enjoy his sad, unseasoned chicken without you."

A laugh escaped Eira.

"Gladly."

After lunch, Alpha Killian checked his watch.

"We need to leave soon."

"I’ll be ready," Eira said.

Lila suddenly frowned. "Wait. You’re missing an earring."

Eira touched her bare earlobe and blinked. "Huh. You’re right."

"It’s probably in the bedroom. I’ll go check."

"I’m coming with you."

The two women headed back to the bedroom and started looking around. Alpha Killian stayed behind to call a cleaning service and have someone come take care of the house.

When he slipped his phone back into his pocket, his fingers brushed against something hard.

He pulled it out.

Eira’s missing pearl earring lay in his palm.

It must have come loose when he carried her upstairs the night before.

The white pearl caught the afternoon light, giving off a soft, warm glow.

"Found it," he called.

Eira and Lila stopped searching and came out of the bedroom.

Lila let out a breath. "Thank God. I thought it was gone for good."

"Thanks, Alpha Killian." Eira reached for the earring.

He raised his hand just out of reach.

Eira looked up at him, clearly confused.

Before she could ask what he was doing, Alpha Killian stepped closer and leaned down. His free hand reached toward her ear.

The moment his warm fingers brushed her skin, Eira flinched as if he had touched her with a hot iron.

She quickly snatched the earring from his hand and took a step to the side. Tilting her head, she put it back on herself.

"There. I’ve got it. You don’t have to fuss over me."

Alpha Killian’s eyes grew darker for a brief moment. Then he lowered his hand as if nothing had happened.

"Right."

He turned and walked toward the door.

Just before he stepped outside, he stopped and glanced back.

"You coming?"

Lila pointed at herself. "Me?"

Alpha Killian’s gaze shifted to Eira.

"Eira is. We’re heading to the office."

Lila nodded toward the door. "Go with him. His driver’s downstairs, and I have a thesis draft that’s already way past due."

Eira picked up the bag holding her gown and followed Alpha Killian into the hall. She was still wearing the white sneakers he had bought with the outfit.

--

Sterling Industries Headquarters

Employees began to notice the moment Alpha Killian and Eira crossed the lobby together.

He wore a dark tailored suit and polished Oxfords. She wore a white sweater dress, an olive cashmere coat, and clean white sneakers.

They should have looked mismatched.

Somehow, they did not.

A few heads turned. By the time they reached the elevators, the office grapevine was already warming up.

Eira noticed none of it. She had removed her colored contacts that morning and forgotten her glasses, leaving every face across the lobby a blur.

She headed for the employee elevators, but Alpha Killian caught her lightly by the elbow.

"This way."

He guided her toward the private elevator.

"I can take the regular one."

"I know."

"Then why am I going with you?"

The doors opened.

"Because this one is faster."

Eira gave him a skeptical look but stepped inside.

When they reached the executive floor, the assistants were professional enough not to react.

"Good afternoon, Alpha Sterling."

"Hey, Eira."

Alpha Killian walked into his office, and Miles followed him with a folder.

"Silix Institute sent over an invitation-only RFP for the Sovereign Processor Initiative."

Alpha Killian opened the folder. "The project they shut down years ago?"

"It’s active again. Federal funding, limited bidders, and strict security rules. Nothing has been announced yet."

"Who else was invited?"

"We don’t have the full list, but I narrowed the likely competition down to ten companies."

Miles handed him a page.

Hale Group was near the top.

Alpha Killian tapped the folder.

"Put a proposal team together today. I want the first draft on my desk by the end of the week."

"I’ll get started." Miles paused. "Should I bring Natalie, Kate, and Eira onto the team?"

Alpha Killian looked up.

"You’re asking about Eira."

"She knows the field better than anyone else in this office."

Alpha Killian glanced through the glass wall. Eira was already at her desk, focused on her computer.

"Ask her."

Miles smiled. That was all the approval he needed.

He returned to the outer office.

"Eira, we just received an RFP for a major processor project. We’d like you on the proposal team."

She looked up. "What’s the deadline?"

"Less than a month. You’d help with the technical proposal and join us for the final presentation."

"I can’t."

Miles had not expected such a quick answer.

"Why not?"

"I’m leaving Sterling."

"You’re really going through with that?"

Eira frowned. "I submitted my notice days ago. Has HR not finished the paperwork?"

Miles opened his mouth.

Then closed it.

The paperwork WAS being processed.

But Alpha Killian wasn’t letting it go through.