Free Breaking the Storm by Sedona Venez

from Stormy Credence. What do I owe the pleasure of a call from the elite Credence O. Corporation?” Lacie's answering purr was like fingernails on a chalkboard.
    I gritted my teeth, pushing down the anger. I needed to be crisp and to the point. “Lacie, it’s really unprofessional and against the rules to call our escorts, pressuring them to leave our employment.”
    Lacie laughed mockingly. “I can't help it if they’re interested in making real money without all of the ridiculous Credence O. restrictions.”
    I wanted to reach through my cell and choke the hell out of her. “Restrictions, as in ensuring that our clients are clear that we are not a prostitution service?” I asked coldly.
    Lacie clucked her tongue. “Prostitution is such an ugly word. My business provides a service of pleasure that demands high compensation,” she responded with an air of arrogance.
    “Put whatever pretty spin you want on it. It's straight-up prostitution,” Light interjected.
    I quickly cut her off before she launched into a full-on verbal attack. “Look, Lacie, if they want to join your family's prostitution ring, I don't care.” Light snickered as she poured more champagne into fluted glasses. I winked at Light before continuing. “But as you are fully aware, all of our escorts are under contract, and severing it incurs a hefty fine.” I paused dramatically. “Now you and I know that as beautiful as the escorts are, they're not loyal and definitely not stupid. So when I start garnishing their wages, fingers will start pointing to their new employer—you—to pay the fines for them. Now I really don't want this to get ugly. Like bringing your ass before the Other Council ugly. But I won't hesitate if you don't back the hell off.”
    I was bluffing. Going before the pompous members of the Other Council would be as enjoyable as going to the OB/GYN.
    Lacie’s voice was cold. “You can’t threaten me, hybrid.”
    “This hybrid just did.” My jaw tightened before continuing. “Next time, think about the ramifications before you go fucking with our business.”
    “You bitch!” Lacie sputtered.
    I disconnected, walking over to my desk and picking up the two newly signed contracts with freshly inked names—Ryker Alfero and Brad Camero. Damn, this was a freaking nightmare. What were the odds of having two Alpha shifter's demanding escorts on the same night? Pressing my finger to the Biometric Safe lock, I pulled open the door, placing the contracts in before slamming it shut.
    “Thank goodness we’re done with that trash,” Light muttered as she turned on the flat-screen television.
    “For now,” I responded glumly because we would never be done with her or her family. My back stiffened when a commercial suddenly blasted a very familiar rock song. Knox’s song from his new album.
    Light's eyes narrowed shrewdly on me. “I do love that song.”
    “Uh-huh, whatever,” I responded.
    “Interesting. Still angry, huh?” Light responded.
    “Angry about what?” I was so done with this conversation.
    “I saw what happened that night… with Knox,” Light blurted out.
    Cringing with shame, I just stared. “Well, this is fucking embarrassing.”
    Light snorted. “Embarrassing? You've got to be kidding me, right? I've seen you at your worst, like holding back your hair while you threw up after a hard night of partying.” She pointed at me. “Now that's embarrassing.”
    “Well, yeah that's true. But it's just that you never said anything. Why?”
    “Because I was waiting for you to tell me.” Light looked at me pointedly. “That night, I followed you backstage just to make sure everything was all right. And when I saw what happened between you and Knox, I was like good riddance to that asswipe.” She paused. “I love you and wouldn't want you hurt for anything in the world, but you and I knew he had to go. And what he did was a prime example of why.” She looked at me pointedly. “But you know that even after