ALEXANDER
I had been buried in work all morning, the office humming with staff moving between meetings, when Irene appeared at the door.
“Alex,” she said. “I’m here to officially request permission to take your mate out for some fresh air. A little drive, maybe some snacks, just around the territory. Don’t worry, we’ll stay close.”
I blinked, surprised. Faye was back from work? I hadn’t even known. Usually, she’d come to see me herself, stopping by the office to give me a quick update or just to be near. So why had she not come? Was she avoiding me after our disagreement this morning? My brows knitted together, but no—that morning’s argument had never been serious enough for her to pull something like this.
I kept my thoughts to myself, not letting Irene see the flicker of curiosity an
