Mayhem: The Order of the Wolf, Book 5 by Angela Addams Page B

telling her was for her own good. She was okay with that…for now.
    “I know! I had to get a rush on mine! Should be arriving early next week.” Dani tugged her arm. “This is going to be so much fun, Hannah!”
    Dani was due to arrive the following Friday, and then they would all depart to Italy for the first leg of the tour. A trip of a lifetime, and a career-making one at that. A chance for Hannah and Mayhem to get to know one another, figure out what drew them to each other.
    “Nice of you ladies to show up!” Burt barked as they walked into the war room, all eyes swiveling to them.
    Hannah blushed, her face burning. She hated being in the spotlight, wanted to die at that very moment where Dani merely shrugged and gave one of her wicked little smirks.
    “What can I say, we had things to do,” Dani said with her usual edge.
    Burt gave one of his shut up or die glares and pointed to the two remaining chairs at the table. “Sit. Now.” He didn’t however, choosing to stand as he shifted his glare down the length, nailing each and every reporter there. “As I’m sure you’ve all heard, we suddenly have a celebrity magnet in our midst. Apparently, it takes very few credentials these days to catch the interest of a superstar.”
    Hannah slumped lower in her seat, wishing she could crawl under the table.
    “Burt, could you be any more of an ass?” Dani had always been bold with Burt— tenacious , he’d called her once, giving her some leeway where others had none.
    This time, though, he didn’t laugh it off. “There are reporters in this room who have busted their asses getting where they are, who put the time in, logged the articles, slogged through shit and definitely deserve that break more than you do, Dani, so I suggest you keep your smartass comments to yourself right about now before I fire you just for the hell of it.”
    Hannah stifled a gasp, but not before feeling the burn of Burt’s stare.
    “And you, I don’t know what it is you did to convince Mr. Rock Star to not only give an exclusive but this fucking series—” Burt barked.
    “With all due respect, Mr. Lowry,” a strong male voice countered, “I believe this opportunity will benefit everyone here, not only the magazine with revenue, but surely with increased readership and street cred, more bands will come calling.”
    Hannah snapped her gaze up to the man who walked into the room. He was handsome, clean cut, military-like, with green eyes that seemed to capture the light and dazzle. He smiled at her and her blush deepened, the burn trailing down her neck as she tried to smile back.
    “Like hell!” Burt twisted his bulky body toward the newcomer. “Ah, Smith, you’re here. Finally.”
    “I think these ladies deserve a little thanks, don’t you?” Smith said with a wink at Hannah.
    Everyone was frozen. One challenge was something, but for this newcomer to do it a second time? Unheard of. Even Dani had zipped her mouth shut after Burt’s tongue-lashing moments before.
    “Maybe even an apology,” Smith added.
    Someone gasped. It might have actually come out of Hannah’s own mouth, she couldn’t say for sure, because she was in total and complete shock. Burt was gonna tear this guy a new…
    “Of course, of course.” Burt waved his hand at the newcomer, motioning for him to take Burt’s seat.
    Nobody moved. Nobody breathed. All eyes were shifted from Burt to this guy, wondering, Hannah was sure, if they’d fallen into some alternate dimension. Dani slipped her hand under the table and squeezed Hannah’s knee.
    “Burt.” A stern warning, the tone so powerful Hannah actually shivered.
    “Yes, yes, girls,” He cleared his throat. “I mean, ladies, you have my utmost thanks for landing the interview series of a lifetime. Your contribution to the magazine is invaluable and I apologize if I didn’t sound enthusiastic or grateful.” Burt practically choked on the words as they came out, his lips twisted in a grimace.