Chapter 4: Del

“I was hoping you’d say that. I need out of this office. Here,” Xavier handed her a stack of papers. “Copies of the complaints filed with DOT. That should get you started.”

Her eyes narrowed at the red “Confidential” stamp across the top. “How’d you get these?”

“Mrs. Alpha.” Jake grinned.

“Laurel, my mate,” Xavier explained. “She works for them. This is where the privacy thing becomes important. Off the books, remember?”

“Not a problem. I work best when I don’t have to follow rules.” Delilah shoved the papers into her bag. Plenty of time for that later. And she’d done this long enough to know that wasn’t the best place to start. “I’d like to get out and observe you all in the community. Meet some of the people here and get a feel for your public image.”

“I had a feeling you’d say that.” Xavier gestured to where Jake still leaned against the wall behind him. “Jake here will escort you and make sure you have everything you need.”

“Boss—” Jake began, clearly not expecting to be voluntold.

“That’s all. I’ve got somewhere to be,” Xavier said, rising. He was halfway to the door before Delilah realized what was happening. She’d be spending the entire day with Jake. Actually, she’d be spending every day with him for the foreseeable future. And he didn’t look happy about it. He slipped by her and chased Xavier down the hall, protesting in raised whispers.

Delilah took her time gathering her things, taking a mental inventory of next steps and necessary supplies. She pretended not to hear Jake in the hall with Xavier but his deep voice carried easily.

“She’s not going to bite,” Xavier was saying on an obvious laugh.

“She’s human, boss,” Jake practically hissed. “And she has that long wavy hair and pale cheeks,” he added like that meant something. “Like Nash said.”

Delilah bristled at the distaste in his words. What was so bad about her being human? And what the hell was wrong with her hair? Whoever this Nash person was, she planned to find out why he was talking about her without ever having met her. Sure, she needed a tan, but—

“She’s only here for the job, Jake. And I need you to handle this so I don’t have to. Laurel’s got enough on her plate. I need to interview the new hire and figure out our sixth. Can I count on you to do this for me, man?

Jake was quiet for so long Delilah began to worry he was actually going to say no. “Yeah. I got you man.” Jake’s words were full of resignation and Delilah frowned.

It’d been a long time since she’d genuinely had hurt feelings. This business, hell, her entire life had been one giant practice in developing a thick skin. No room for bruised ego or wounded pride when you were struggling to survive the foster care system. Not in the neighborhoods she’d grown up in.

So, it shouldn’t have been that easy to wound her, but Jake had done it. And now she was off to spend the day with him. Just fine. That would make it easier to keep her distance. No fraternizing with clients. That had always been her policy—and now, she’d have no trouble keeping her word.