Eli was not going to let Ava take the brunt of whatever scheme they were dealing in. He politely but firmly stepped in front of her, shouldering her out of the way.
He put his hand on one of the guys, guiding him away by the shoulder, herding the entire group.
Ava let out a startled little sound, but he couldn’t worry about that now. Sure, it looked like he was being rude or that he thought she couldn’t handle talking to some investors, but every part of him wanted her away from them.
Mine.
Mate.
Now he’d gone and really screwed up. His dragon thought she was his mate. But that was a problem for another time.
“So, gentlemen, I heard you say you’d like to invest,” Eli said. His skin itched with the need to attack, but he controlled it better this time.
The men responded, and he chatted with them for a few minutes until they told him they’d like a tour of his lab in Portland.
Not a chance, he thought, but he nodded and clapped one of them on the back. “We’d love to host you there. I’ll get in touch with the director as soon as we get back.”
He kept his answers mild and his tone moderate, because on the off-chance that these really were human investors, he knew the hospital would jump at the chance to have such a significant donation.
But he was almost one-hundred percent sure that he was right, and those guys weren’t getting within a hundred feet of his lab, not if he could help it.
And they sure as hell weren’t getting near Ava alone again, no matter what their credentials said.
“We will see you again tomorrow,” one of them called out.
12
Ava
Ava really wondered why Eli was behaving so oddly. He’d been fine all day, more than fine, really. During his keynote speech, he’d been spectacular.
Sometimes, Eli was stiff and formal, and he tended to go on about the topics he loved. She adored those things about him, and of course, she’d seen him at his most relaxed during the night they shared after the gala.
But watching him on stage was a real treat. He came alive while talking about the various cellular therapies he’d developed, and she could have listened to him all day.
She wasn’t the only one. The entire audience was glued to every word he said, their faces rapt even as they took notes. She understood. She remembered clearly feeling the same way when she saw him speak for the first time. She still sometimes couldn’t believe she was lucky enough to work as his assistant.
Last night had been somewhat of a revelation. As she’d told him, she’d had no idea he spent his free time researching astronomy and astrophysics. She hoped she’d get to see his lab at home someday.
The same kind of fiery passion had been with him today as he addressed the packed room. He’d been mobbed afterward. Of course. Some attendees wanted to talk to him about his research, and some just wanted to be close to the hottest scientist in the world. Some wanted both.
She could hardly blame any of them, not when she felt the same way, and she’d done her best to keep the crowd moving along, interceding on his behalf.
Then, the weird group of men had approached them, and Eli’s entire body had gone rigid. A look crossed his face that she’d never seen before, not even when he was at his most frustrated.
Then he’d bolted.
So, she took over, chatting with the men just as she had with so many of the other conference attendees.
When he came back a few moments later, he’d looked right at her. Pure fury had flashed in his eyes. His jaw had locked, and he’d charged forward. But then, he’d morphed back into his usual self. He’d neatly stepped in front of her and led the men away. To anyone else, his voice would seem smooth and friendly. But she could hear the undertone. He was coiled tight, ready to spring.
She watched him for a few moments, but nothing happened. The four businessmen seemed satisfied. Not one of them looked like they detected how close they’d come to being pummeled by a big, angry scientist. Or at the very least, tossed out of the building on their backsides and told not to come back, never mind the money they were offering.
As far as she knew, Eli wasn’t a violent man. But she’d never seen him lose his temper before. She watched him maneuver the men until they were finally walking out the door. She was going to get to the bottom of why he was acting so odd. This was her career field, too, and she wanted to be aware of any landmines she might encounter with investors.
When he returned to her, his eyes were still flinty and his expression was flat.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
He put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll tell you later. But whatever happens, don’t speak to them again, not unless you’re with me. I don’t want you alone with them.”
“I want to know why.”
“I need to think about it some more. Give me some time.”
She nodded. If he’d been a friend, she would have kept pushing, but she trusted Eli. She didn’t like being told what to do in a non-work situation, but technically, she was here for work and he was still her boss.
He closed his eyes for a brief moment and seemed to shake off whatever was bothering him. “Are you ready?” he asked, holding his hand out toward the door. “I’m sure you’re tired after all the glad-handing you did.”
“I enjoyed it, but it was tiring.” She was grateful to get into the rideshare and
