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  ALWAYS BE A

  WOLF

  MIMA

  ALWAYS BE A WOLF

  Copyright © 2017 Michelle Arsenault.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  iUniverse

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  Bloomington, IN 47403

  www.iuniverse.com

  1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

  Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

  Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

  Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

  ISBN: 978-1-5320-2179-4 (sc)

  ISBN: 978-1-5320-2180-0 (e)

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2017906102

  iUniverse rev. date: 04/24/2017

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  Chapter Forty-Six

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Chapter Fifty

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I would like to thank the West Prince Arts Council of PEI for their continued support of my work. Please visit them at:

  www.westprinceartscouncil.ca

  CHAPTER ONE

  If there was a crazy train, Diego Silva drove it. He did so with no apology, no care; he was like the devil himself, plunked into the middle of a society that insisted on conformity while resented it at the same time. It was the world that both hated and admired the 40-year-old Colombian man who had a certain charm that was impossible to deny but he was a joker dressed in an Armani suit, a firecracker that was always ready to explode; you could see it in his black eyes, the same ones that occasionally warmed into a gentle brown but very few people saw that side of him. He was dangerous and the moment Diego sensed your fear, he would invade it with both guns blazing. Others discomfort rarely phased him. He fed off it.

  Chase Jacobs knew this all too well but had fortunately grown resistant to the world around him after dealing with much turbulence in his own life. Diego and his games were nothing new; he challenged his young employee on a daily basis, often in the form of an unscrupulous or overtly sexual comment, he seemed to enjoy watching Chase’s reaction, his eyes glazing over in pleasure, a suppressed grin on his lips, as if holding back from saying something that pushed things just a little too far.

  But he liked to push things far; the question was when would Chase fight his stubborn side that refused to meet the challenge; the boxer in him wanted to prove that none of Diego’s games affected him, no words intimidated him and nothing, absolutely nothing, would get the best of him. But that was a challenge Diego was only too happy to take on.

  It was at the moment when Chase thought his heart was about to explode, that he felt things had finally gone way too far. Feeling the blood pumping through every inch of him, from the tip of his toes to the top of his head at an exhilarated pace, knowing Diego’s dark eyes were occasionally, gingerly glancing toward his face, hoping to find some sign of emotion, it was getting increasingly difficult to fight those natural impulses from being exposed. This was like nothing he had ever felt before; his hand gripping on the smooth material while his eyes began to water, his throat too dry to speak, he struggled with not reacting but deep down, he knew Diego was already seeing the subtle hints that gave him away.

  “Stop! You have to stop!” Chase attempted to scream and yet, his voice was the hushed tone of a child, barely escaping his lips. And that’s when he heard it; the gentle, almost unnoticeable laugh that Diego was attempting to confine, that pleasurable moment when he knew he had finally won.

  “You’re going to kill us both,” Chase finally managed to regain his normal, deep voice as he watched the empty road ahead of them, the gears shifting in Diego’s hand, as he only increased the speed of the brand new Gran Turismo that he had driven off the lot earlier that day. What had started out as a simple drive out of the city limits to show off his new car was now turning into a horrifying adventure, as they flew past other cars and road signs indicating that they were driving at a speed that was almost twice the acceptable limit.

  “Nonsense, amigo, this is living,” Diego replied, followed by a devilish laugh that made Chase wish he hadn’t said a thing. This would only entice him to go faster, with no regards for life, he wouldn’t care if he killed them both in a brand new car; one that would make most people scared to drive at a normal speed because of its value, let alone flying down the 401 as if they were part of a NASCAR adventure. “You worry too much. That’s the dad in you talking.”

  A mischievous smirk caused the Colombian’s lips to pucker into a stiff smile, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, fortunately, they stayed focused on the road ahead. Shaking his head and letting out a short laugh, he began to gear down and Chase felt his body start to calm. He now felt the tightness in the back of his neck, an ache in his chest that replaced the intense fear as he caressed his sweaty palms, his fingers feeling powerless and weak. When he glanced into the side mirror, he saw panic in his dark brown eyes, his tanned complexion appearing unusually flushed, as his hand ran through his short, black hair as a form of self-comfort. Relief also brought with it something very unexpected; a beautiful elation that he had onl
y previously experienced after sex. It made him wonder if this was Diego’s plan all along.

  “Chase you don’t understand,” Diego continued to focus on the road as the car, now at a normal speed, pulled to an exit; not that Chase had any idea where they were at that moment. New to Ontario, he had only moved to Toronto a week earlier after Diego turned his private sex party business legit and decided to take their Canadian office to somewhere more central. “If you’ve never felt intense fear ripping through your body, then how would you know that you ever truly lived? Can you tell me that? You’re what? 23? 24? You should thrive on this kind of thing.”

  Chase remained silent, hating to admit that there was some truth to Diego’s statement. Regardless of how crazy it sounded, hadn’t this experience awakened his senses in a way nothing else had in a long time? Only months earlier, his life had fallen flat. That was until Diego Silva walked in the door at the former office in Calgary. Nothing had been normal since that day.

  Up until that point, Chase worked for Diego’s younger sister, Jolene. The beautiful Colombian woman who showed no apprehension when it came to flaunting her curves, nor did she downplay her exceptional beauty. In fact, it was probably her strong confidence that made her more enticing to men around her and yet, she often appeared unaware of the looks of longing and attraction, absorbed in her work, she was always thinking ahead and ready for anything.

  She wasn’t, however, ready for her impulsive and fanatic brother. When he first announced closing the US and Calgary offices and moving everything to Toronto, Jolene calmly listened with interest, as if he were a child telling her about his new imaginary friend. She nodded, calmly asked questions that brought out more points, then bit her bottom lip as Diego paced the room, excitedly talking about his new ‘master plan’. Chase didn’t say anything, merely noting the occasional glances in his direction; Jolene with questioning eyes and Diego for his few, brief moments of vulnerability, as if Chase’s opinion mattered.

  It was only after he left that Jolene shrugged and said, “He will not do,” Then opening her laptop and starting back to work, she continued, “He will talk talk talk, but he won’t do. That’s just Diego.”

  But he did. A couple of months later, after traveling to Toronto and ‘meeting some people’ and ‘having some conversations’, Jolene was left to organize the big move, frustrated and angry, often stuck taking care of the tedious details while still running the business. Chase bent over backward to help her, often working late into the night, weekends and getting calls at all hours. And just when they were both about to lose their minds, Diego returned to Calgary and sauntered into the office, calm as could be, a relaxed smile on his face.

  “Everything going ok?” His dark eyes darted through Jolene who looked as if she were about to snap, instead, she calmly asked Chase to go get them some coffee while she talked to her brother. He did so and although apprehensive to return, he found everything was fine when he did. Jolene looked defeated while Diego, who rarely appeared stressed, was sitting cross-legged in Chase’s seat, swinging his foot back and forth, his arm resting on the back of the chair, his black eyes darted in the young assistant’s direction.

  “I hope I didn’t return too soon,” Chase announced, unsure of what else to say as he entered the room with the tray of coffee in hand. Jolene showed no expression but thanked him, while a smirk crossed Diego’s lips as his eyes inspected Chase carefully, from head to toe.

  “And Chase,” Diego spoke up, “He will be my assistant now. You will have to find a new one.”

  Appearing crestfallen, for the first time after many frustrating weeks and problems, Jolene looked as if she was going to snap. Her eyes filled with tears which she quickly blinked back. Her expression turned cold as she glared at her brother.

  “Fine! Take him away from me, take everything,” she snapped, jumping up from the desk, she grabbed her coat, purse and finally the coffee from the tray that Chase held, as he stood in the middle of the room, dumbfounded. Her heels sharply hit the floor as she rushed across the room and flew out the door, slamming it behind her. Diego, meanwhile, appeared unfazed.

  “I wish she would listen to me and hire someone to help with her English,” he continued to sit cross-legged, swinging his foot around excitedly, his eyes big and innocent, as if unaware of why his sister was so furious with him. “Can I have my coffee.”

  Chase passed him the Americano and silently sat down beside him with the last remaining coffee. Taking a drink, he realized Jolene had, in a fit of anger, grabbed the wrong one, leaving him with her overly sweet blend. Reluctantly drinking it, he opened his mouth to say something but decided against it.

  “Ah…..now that is good coffee. I knew that I could finally teach that dama how to make it right,” He pointed in the general direction of the coffee shop that Chase and Jolene often frequented. “I just flirt, you know, it works sometimes.”

  Chase exchanged looks with him.

  “I know but she can live with the fantasy that I like women and I can get a decent Americano,” Diego had been so flippant about it that Chase grinned in spite of himself. “As for Jolene, do not worry, she will cool off.”

  “Are you sure it’s a good idea?” Chase inquired and to that, Diego merely shrugged.

  “You were never hers to have.” His grin was suggestive as he took a sip of his coffee and Chase looked away. “Besides, I need a big, strong, intimidating man like yourself.”

  Chase licked his lips and stared at his cup, feeling too awkward to reply. His height, as well as his regular boxing workouts and diet, gave him the physique that some viewed as intimidating. Half native, he had a mix of features that emphasized his strength and inner pride. By contrast, Diego was shorter, smaller but his dark gazes were probably more powerful than every muscle in Chase’s body.

  Time flew by quickly, only allowing Chase a short visit back home to Hennessey to see his three young boys one last time before the big move. Although happy to see him, it was clear that they no longer viewed him as their father, replaced by his ex-wife’s fiancé; the man who tucked them in at night and took them for ice cream on Sunday afternoon. Chase was the occasional visitor that they had to talk to on Skype a few times a month.

  “They know you are their father but Albert is here all the time,” Her excuse was feeble, but he didn’t blame his ex, in fact, despite a terrible marriage, he now held no animosity toward Audrey. He would learn to accept this new reality. But wasn’t that what life was about, accepting difficult truths?

  Diego didn’t think so. He thought life was about expanding your limits, pushing things as far as they would go, then pushing them a little further. He was exciting, fascinating and even in the most normal moments, often surprised Chase.

  It was as they left a convenience store after the insane car ride that Diego surprised him once again. Sipping his coffee, his legs feeling a bit wobbly as they walked outside, Chase noted that two teenage boys were admiring Diego’s new car. Upon seeing the two men return, they quickly scurried away.

  Turning up his nose after taking a drink of coffee, Diego’s eyes fixated on the car and shrugged as Chase made his way to the passenger side.

  “I don’t like it, I’m taking it back.”

  Chase opened his mouth and then closed it again. He knew he wasn’t talking about the coffee; although, he probably didn’t like that either.

  “It’s just too, I don’t know, flamboyant,” he ran his hand over the roof of the car. “You know, kind of like a horny bridesmaid at a wedding who hits on all the men, looking to get her..”

  “I think I got it,” Chase cut in as he uncomfortably got back in the car while Diego did the same, a mischievous smile crept on his lips. “You think it’s flamboyant.”

  “Yes, but not in a cool, homosexual way,” He raised his eyebrow, suddenly serious, he took another drink of his coffee. “I’m talking in an obvious way, ‘hey look at me,
I’m dying for attention’ kind of way.” He curved his lower lip up and made a face. “I don’t like it.”

  “So you’re taking it back. You haven’t had it a day and you’re taking it back?” Chase exchanged looks with him.

  “It’s, you know, not practical,” He spat out his words in reply, his lower lip stuck out in rebellion.

  “So what, you’re going to take it back and get a Corolla?” Chase snickered.

  “I use to drive a Lexus a few years ago,” Diego spoke thoughtfully. “I did enjoy that car.”

  “Unbelievable,” Chase muttered as he looked out the passenger side.

  “I’m a man of prestige,” Diego insisted thoughtfully, looking around the parking lot. “I don’t need this car to show that I’m important. What was I thinking? Must be a mid-life crisis.”

  He started the car and moved to the edge of the parking lot.

  “Can you at least let me drink my coffee before you start breaking speed limits again?” Chase boldly asked something that seemed to humor Diego as he glanced in his direction with a twisted smile on his lips.

  “Then you better drink fast my friend.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Ah, springtime! It gives us all hope, doesn’t it?” Diego made this impromptu statement as he pointed toward the beautiful flowers unnaturally erected from the concrete on the outside of the downtown building. It was the home of their new office. Feeling slightly awkward and lost, Chase followed his boss toward the entrance while people rushed all around them but few seemed to notice the two men wearing expensive suits. He felt insignificant.

  “I never looked at it that way,” Chase awkwardly replied as they entered the building, immediately heading toward the elevator.

  Once inside, Diego hit the button for the third floor and the two silently waited. Removing his sunglasses, Diego wasn’t paying attention to his assistant but glancing at his phone. He sniffed, shrugged and finally replied. “Maybe you should.”