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Naomi couldn’t help laughing.
Chloe always lightened her heart. It was what made her an excellent teacher too.
“He is,” Naomi said. “He’s been nothing but nice to me… more than nice. I obviously have to assume he’s just another billionaire bastard when he’s not here getting spoiled, though.”
“Why do you have to assume that?” Chloe asked.
“Because I’ve worked with, and for, too many wealthy men,” Naomi sighed. “They’re entitled little pricks the minute things don’t go their way. Believe me.”
“Hm,” Chloe said, frowning. “I guess I could see that.”
“But I really like him anyway,” Naomi said. “And he’s interested in pursuing a relationship, even after our time here.”
She didn’t dare tell her friend about the mate bond. It was too much.
“And how do you feel about that?” Chloe asked. “Are you going to give him a chance?”
Naomi bit her lip.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “But it’s not really because of him. It’s because of work.”
“Work?” Chloe echoed.
Naomi decided it was better to just get it all out.
“I sent an anonymous tip to the Intergalactic Environmental Bureau that the firm’s client was going to build on a site that was a habitat for endangered lowland wolves,” she said, before she could change her mind.
“Oh,” Chloe said, looking stunned.
“I knew the firm would figure it out, and I’d lose my job,” Naomi said wearily. “But it was the right thing to do.”
“I’m proud of you,” Chloe said. “I know you drown your sorrows in your work. What you did was very brave. And I’m sure you’ll find another job.”
“That was how I was looking at it,” Naomi admitted. “I knew it would be awful, but I was pretty sure I could find work in the industry if they didn’t blackball me, and in another field if they did.”
“Exactly,” Chloe said, nodding.
“I didn’t think about the client though,” Naomi told her. “It turns out that the Bulgaro family was developing the land. And one of them came into the firm screaming that they were going to kill the person who did this, and everyone they love.”
“Oh, Naomi,” Chloe breathed.
“Now I’m afraid to go home,” Naomi told her. “And I’m also afraid to conceive a child with Gage. What if the Bulgaros come after him and the baby?”
“And if you get together with him…” Chloe realized out loud.
“I’d be putting him in even more danger,” Naomi said. “I know the Center could come after me for breaking my contract if I don’t try, but I don’t think I can do this.”
“You’ll do the right thing,” Chloe said. “Even if it’s hard, even if there are consequences.”
“Yes,” Naomi said, feeling relieved. “I can live with the consequences of breaking a contract. I can’t live with the idea of endangering someone I care about.”
“What are you going to tell Gage?” Chloe asked.
Naomi looked down at the shimmering bubbles in the tub, wishing they could give her an answer.
“I can’t tell him what I did,” she said softly after a moment. “He’s a wealthy man, just like those developers. For all I know, he would turn me in.”
“You just said you cared about him,” Chloe said, frowning. “I don’t think you would care about someone that heartless. Is his money really the only thing you have against him?”
