Rylan's Heart by Serena Simpson

boys, but you will do for now.”
    He kept running thinking he might get away but the Sudir played with him before stopping him with a force he never felt before. His body paralyzed, the Sudir dragged him across the ground like a side of meat.
    How could he not be consumed with anger? But no matter what, he would never hurt his mate. He already cared for her.

Chapter Eleven
     
     
    She wasn’t dead. It may be her only positive. Returning home, she changed her clothes noticing there weren’t any other outfits in her closet.
    Ducking out the door one last time, she promised herself not to get stuck next to an alley as she went to pick up some new clothes. She was going to go to her new job—late but better than not going at all.
    Her mind was occupied with the riddle of what was happening as her feet took her to where she needed to be and her eyes watched to make sure she was safe. First there was that little girl. A feeling went through her like a pang of having lost something but not knowing what she lost. She put the child out of her mind. Children weren’t in her plan.
    Second was the male who saved her. She tingled when he was around, but was it desire or fear? He looked so evil, although the voice in the back of her head said he would never hurt her. She wasn’t a fool, and left that alley as soon as she got the chance.
    For no reason at all, her heart mourned for those two. The man who attacked her seemed so familiar. Not his attitude, but something that lingered in the back of her mind, teasing her.
    Sighing she walked into her new job. She was met by a jubilant staff; they were so happy to see her. Her new secretary showed her to the office she would occupy. It was large with a row of windows behind her desk and the comfortable chair denoted power. No doubt, she already loved it.
    Aviana’s boss came in, got her up to speed, and left her with a pile of paperwork.
    Life should be good, but it wasn’t. She was missing something—not something, someone. She turned on her computer to dig a little deeper into the pile of work.
    Her phone rang. “Hello.”
    “Hello, Ms. Marks, your first client is here.”
    “Thank you, send him in.” She couldn’t remember the name of her secretary whom she met for the first time this morning.”
    She put away her paperwork and stared at the door. A tall tattooed male walked in behind her sectary. He thanked her and closed the door after she left.
    “Do I know you?” she asked after he took a seat.
    “Do you?” He gave her a charming smile that would have made her heart beat faster if it weren’t for…
    Shaking her head, she wondered if she hit it in that alley. There was no one in her life and she was ok with that.
    “How can I help you today, Mr…?”
    “Call me Voyager, the Mr. is not necessary.”
    “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Aviana Marks.”
    She put her hand to her head. Saying her name brought on a headache that would normally force her to lie down. When did you start getting headaches? Giving herself a mental shrug, she ignored the question.
    “All right, Voyager. How can we, here at Simpson and Simpson, Inc., help you?”
    “I came to help you. Tell me, Aviana, how are you enjoying your job?”
    He must be someone the company hired to come and check up on her. No problem, she would pass this little test with flying colors.
    She opened her mouth.
    “The truth, Aviana.”
    She snapped her mouth closed. This may be harder than she thought. Taking a look around the office, her eyes stopped on the pile of work she had to do before leaving today.
    “This isn’t what I was expecting, but it’s only the first day. I’m sure I’ll get into the swing of things.”
    “What would you have done, if you did not work here?”
    Pictures of that little girl haunted her, followed closely by the wild eyed male who saved her.
    “There’s nothing I’d rather do than work this job. I paid the price to work here.”
    “Working here may cost you