Can't Touch This by J. Hali Steele

the other thing?”
    “Exactly.” Castle had reached the end of his rope, and he
wanted Harlow to himself. “Make Overnight Success happen, and fast. You can
give me a report on the other thing later.”
    He placed the phone back in the cradle and looked up to see
Hatch lounging against his doorjamb. “What?”
    “Cass, what are you doing?”
    “This doesn’t concern you.”
    “Don’t do something rash.” Hatch walked in and sat in the
seat in front of Cass’s desk. “You’ve brooded for weeks and I know you. You’re
up to something that will piss her off.”
    “Grisom, again, it’s no concern of yours.”
    “I fucking hate when you call me that.” He leaned
over the desk. “You’re annoyed because I’m right.”
    “Go to hell.”
    “I’m not a stranger. I’m your second. No, I’m your friend. Don’t
chase Harlow away.”
    “That won’t happen. If it does, you’re not responsible.”
    “The pack can’t survive another vanishing act. I can’t survive it.” Hatch sat back in the seat, closed his eyes. “I’m not cut
out for the alpha shit, man. I don’t like dominating and running the pack.” A
long sigh passed through his lips. “After the last time, I can’t do it.”
    Cass stood and moved to the window. He stared into the
street but saw nothing as memories regarding the time Hatch alluded to crowded
into his mind. He had run into a female shifter he hadn’t seen for over a
decade and spent damn near a month fucking her brains out. It was after a
rather grueling business trip and he welcomed the reprieve she provided though
Castle knew she tolerated his rough treatment just to keep him at her side for
as long as she could. He shook his head to clear it as he twisted to study his
best friend.
    “Shit, Hatch, I’m sorry. I’ll never be gone that long
again.” It was pure luck he’d been in the Valley when Harlow appeared at The Moat.
    He strode around the desk and placed a hand on the beta’s
shoulder. “Hatch, Jeremiah’s working on more than a business deal.” Cass ran a
hand through his hair. “She’s married.”
    “Holy shit, that explains it.”
    “Explains what?”
    “You’ve been a fucking mess.”
    The phone rang and Cass pounced on it. “Jeremiah.”
    “You need to know about that other thing first. The name
is Jeff Hardison and he’s on his way from Michigan to pick up a car before
divorce papers are signed in a couple weeks.”
    “He’s coming here?” He’d handle that problem when it cropped
up. “What about the business?”
    “Overnight Success is solidly in the black and the
owner’s older. He put out a few feelers recently and I think he’d be interested
in selling if the price is right.”
    “Buy it.”
    “Have you thought this through? It won’t mesh well with
any of your holdings.”
    “Hotels need products they provide, might be easier having
one company to deal with.”
    Jeremiah grunted in Cass’s ear. “May I remind you you’re
primarily in the aerospace business, not printing brochures, picture cards and
trendy trinkets?”
    “Okay, I’ve been reminded, now buy it. I’ll run down to Los
Angeles tonight and deliver the contracts and proposals I’ve been working on.
You can meet Harlow.”
    “You want a car at the airport?”
    “I’m riding in.”
    “See you later.”
    He’d barely gotten the phone in its cradle when his cell
buzzed. “Harli, hey.” He watched Hatch as he let her talk. “Glad your day went
well. Throw on some jeans, a warm jacket, and meet me here. I want to ride down
to LA for the weekend. Couple things I need to look into.”
    Hatch gaped. “I always thought you were the smart one.”
    “I’ll keep her away from anyone who…”
    “Might tell her the truth before you do?”
    “I wasn’t the only one keeping secrets.”
    “She did tell you though.”
    “Get the fuck out.”
    “Ride easy, man.”
    The Valley had closed in on Castle, making him antsy. In
addition, his woman never missed a day of