Page 41 of The CEO Alpha’s Substitute Mate

He doesn’t look at me, still addressing the girls. “Report to Damien. He will handle your punishments.”

The girls are pale and shaking, and I feel like I’m missing something. Callum is just a business tycoon. Why does he inspire so much fear in these people? It’s the same for the staff at home. They respect him, but they also fear him.

Callum is still speaking. “You’re all fired. You won’t be working in headquarters anymore. And you, Camille, you will no longer work in any corporate setting from now on.”

A strangled noise escapes Camille’s throat, and she clambers towards him. “Alpha, no. I went to business school for this. I’m still paying loans. This is—It was just a joke. We got carried away. Please don’t do this to me! I’ve worked so hard! You can’t—”

Tears are streaming down her face, and even I feel sorry for her, although I can’t quite understand what is going on.

“Ah, Callum, maybe—”

Callum tightens his hold on me, his equivalent for shushing me a second time, and his voice is so cold a shiver goes down my spine.

“If you don’t want me to make this worse, leave.”

The women look at him and seem to realize he means it. Without a moment’s notice, they scramble out of the hallway. Camille, however, lingers, her voice unsteady. “Mr. Vance.” She wipes the blood off her upper lip. “Mr. Vance, I’m one of the best secretaries in the pack. How can you let me go like this? I’ve been working for you so long now. My work—My work is flawless. How can you—?”

“Secretaries like you are a dime a dozen.” Callum looks down at her. “This is your last chance. Leave or be punished.”

She takes a staggering step back, and tears fill her eyes before she turns on her heel and flees.

For a moment, I stare after her, stunned. Callum’s arm is still across my waist. I take hold of his wrist with both hands, and he releases me.

“What are you doing?” I turn to glower at him. “You didn’t have to fire them for this.”

Callum doesn’t so much as blink. “You and Luca are mine. If anyone hurts you, they shall pay.”

Mine? My mind goes to all the wrong places before I force it back to reality.

“First off, I don’t belong to you.” I drill my finger in his chest, and he just tilts his head, watching it. “Second, are you some kind of Mafia boss? Why are people falling on their knees in front of you? Why are they so scared?”

I don’t think I’ve ever seen Callum look amused before or smile. His lips curve slightly, and he raises a brow. “They have every reason to be scared of me. That is not something you need to worry about.”

His arrogance shouldn’t be so attractive, and my jaw tightens. “Just so you know, don’t ever expect me to go on my knees for you.”

His smile disappears, the amusement in his eyes replaced by something so viciously hungry that for a moment I can’t breathe. His hand lifts to grab my jaw in a careful but firm hold, and he murmurs, “We’ll see about that.”

Before I can react, he releases me and steps back. “Luca is waiting in my office.” He turns around and begins walking. “Your clothes are ruined. I’ll send someone to get a fresh set from the estate.”

I shake my head to get rid of whatever spell he momentarily put me under and trail after him. “This was the only good set I had.” I look down at the sweater. “Well, it’s about time I buy some new ones. I’m just waiting for my salary.”

“Your salary?” He turns to look at me. “What about your allowance?”

I pat the stain on my sweater as if that will help it magically disappear. “You keep putting twenty thousand dollars in that account every month. I haven’t even spent the first twenty yet.”

“Like every other woman does.”

“I don’t know how to do that.”

“Get some expensive bags and expensive clothes.”

“I don’t like expensive bags. I use my crossbody satchel for everything. And I do plan to go shopping once I get my salary. I just don’t understand why I need that much money sitting there.”

“Because it’s your allowance. Spend it or don’t. Another twenty goes in next month.”

I sigh. “Marlow’s is having a sale next week, so I’ll go then.”

“Is that a brand?” A pause. “What brand is that?”