Chapter 42 - The Tycoon Alpha's Temptation

ROSE’S POV

If I could, I would slap the annoying smile he currently had on his face off his face.

Was he kidding me right now?

He made me agree to work in his company by putting the lives of Shawn and his team members on the line and now he thought he could control me again and have his way… just so I can wait here and chitchat with him because he was the Alpha King.

For the record, I was done letting others control me…. And if I made that mistake with Alpha Richard, I shouldn't make it with Alpha King Josh– a man that I could possibly have a future with.

There is no denying the sparks between us… usually, when I am not this mad at him.

“Get your hands off me, Alpha King Josh.” I warned him.

“I thought you will be excited about this–” He started.

But I interjected disrespectfully, “Well you thought wrong!” If he was enjoying this before, he wouldn't now.

His dark eyes shone with confusion and I tried to shake him off again but he held tight but not tight enough to hurt me or leave a bruise on my skin.

“I am not falling for your tricks, Alpha King Josh. You forced me to work to save those people so how on earth do I stop working just because you feel like talking to me today?”

I seethed.

“I should stop going to work so you can kill Shawn and make his daughter fatherless? Or take the jobs of those people that I have spent enough time with to know that they are the breadwinners of their family?”

I gritted, expressing my disappointment in him. I was just starting to believe that he wasn't as controlling, heartless, and manipulative as Alpha Richard but now? Now I wasn't so sure.

Cali countered, “Again, never compare him to that assh*le, Rose. Never!”

Of course, she supported him but I wasn't done lashing out at My wolf beast's favorite male.

Alpha King Josh tried again, “You are getting this all wrong–”

“Really? How wrong am I? Are you saying I should trust you to spare them all because you have actually spared anyone that ruin your chances in the business world? Or are you saying that they finally have a second chance now that you just feel like and probably wake on the right side of your bed?”

I ranted.

Alpha King Josh voiced, “Don’t you see why I made you work with them? You are good at this, Rose, and I know you need this kick in your life.”

For a moment, I believed him. I could hear the sincerity in his voice but still, I scoffed.

“If you had said no to the manipulative offer I laid on the table a week ago, I wouldn't have killed those people, Rose. I am not as ruthless as you must have hard in the office.”

Alpha King Josh announced but that was a big lie from the pit of h*ll. I have heard stories of how he fired anyone at any f*cking time as long as he felt like it.

He added, “Deep down within you, you know you could have said no and Shawn would still go unpunished. You know they are still my subject and if his daughter becomes fatherless, I will have to step up as her father as I do with many orphans in the pack.”

“You are lying, Josh. You wouldn't have forgiven him for going behind your nack. You would have punished him enough to take his life. You know that.” I replied but with a less hostile tone.

He surrendered, “Yeah… yeah… let's just say I would still have punished Shawn a bit to teach him a lesson and keep the rest in check.”

He smiled at me and this time, my heart melted. It was so hard to remain mad at him. I could hold on to my anger but as I stared into his eyes, I realized that he didn't mean any harm.

“I am sorry for putting you on the spot, Rose. I assumed you will love working with them and took that step without consulting you. I am so sorry and I have missed you.” He voiced with a persuasive and low tone. “Forgive me.”

Huh… how do I say no to those convincing eyes?

Cali interfered, saying, “Just forgive him, Rose. he meant well for everyone and you can't deny the truth about how you are loving the new job. Plus you are amazing at it.”

I sighed and nodded before speaking my mind, “I don’t like it when you manipulate me, use my emotions against me and make decisions about my life without telling me about it. All of that reminds me of someone and as much as you hate getting compared to him, you remind me of him during times like this–”

“Don’t complete that because it still sounds like a comparison.” Alpha King Josh shushed me.

“Alright. I have forgiven you. Can I go to work now?”

I stated defeatedly.

Alpha King Josh crouched to my level, “You still don’t have to go to work, Rose.”

“But I still want to work even though you got me to start in the wrong way.” I retorted.

“The truth is when I said you didn't have to go to work, I wasn't saying you should stop working for me. I mean, look at the result you have submitted within a week, Rose.”

Alpha King Josh exclaimed, praising my negotiating skills. That made me smile but when he added, “You work really well, Rose, and I must say, I have missed you around these past few days, which is why I am saying you don't have to go to work to actually get the work done.” I became confused.

“So how am I supposed to work if you want to keep me around? Are you planning to start showing up at the office?”

I asked, feeling mushy within because he wanted to keep me around him… for the first time in too many days.

Maybe I missed him too. Maybe.

“I brought the work home for your comfortability, Rose.”

Alpha King Josh announced, sounding satisfied with himself.

Before I could voice a word, he continued, “Come with me.” Alpha King Josh began to pull me towards the fancy table in the living room.

He released my hand as soon as we reached the table and to my surprise, Alpha King Josh presented two packages to me. I eyed the box curiously, asking, “What are these? C’mon, Josh. this can’t make–”

“Relax, Rose.” He cooed. “In those boxes are the latest smartphone and laptops built by the brains of my company and this is one of the first sets that I will like you to use for the smooth execution of your work from home.”

Wow…

I uttered, “You got me a cell phone and a laptop?” That was obviously a rhetorical question but Josh still responded.

He smiled, “You will have the company server set up by Eric and with that, you are good to work from home, Rose.”

“That’s considerate, Josh. Thank you.” I expressed.

“Anything to keep you close to me, Rose.” He smirked and I whacked his arms lightly, laughing at his cheesiness.

“I should get this to my room and set them up.” I stated heartily. I was excited about my new gadgets and I couldn't wait to use them… even though I might have to learn a few things about them.

Alpha King Josh argued, “I think you should freshen up and get breakfast while I set these up for you, Rose. That's the least I can do to earn your forgiveness.”

“I will appreciate that.” I replied. To be honest, I was relieved that I wouldn't have to do that myself. I might program them wrongly and ruin them before they start functioning.

Alpha King Josh and I parted ways and I hummed excitedly towards my room. I anticipated the minute I would be able to use my cell phone and work from the comfort of my room.

I completely forgot to consider the disadvantages that could come with having a cell phone until I reached my bedroom door and saw an envelope under the frame of my door.

Reluctantly, I picked the envelope up and discovered that it was addressed to me like the last anonymous letter I received.

“An envelope can only mean….” Cali chimed, pointing me in the direction of the truth.

He has contacted me again as he said he would…

And I could smell trouble.