Magnus, p.1
Magnus, page 1
Magnus
Grizzly Guardians
Violet Rae
Contents
1. Magnus
2. Mila
3. Mila
4. Magnus
5. Mila
6. Mila
7. Magnus
8. Mila
9. Magnus
10. Mila
11. Magnus
12. Magnus
Epilogue
Magnus
Published by Violet Rae
www.authorvioletrae.com
Copyright © 2024 Violet Rae
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions, contact: violet@authorvioletrae.com
Cover Image: Bookin It Designs
Editing & Formatting by Violet Rae
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Chapter 1
Magnus
Emmett knocked once before bursting into my office unannounced, boots clomping on the rich mahogany floor. I didn't need to look up to know it was him. None of my employees would dare to make such a bold move.
Emmett had many fine qualities, but subtlety wasn’t one of them. My cousin had little regard for formalities, but he was as loyal as a bloodhound and just as tenacious. He was also a goddamn genius when it came to computers and sniffing out trouble. And right now, his skills were precisely what I needed, which is why he was here from Wyoming, helping me out. Because I had a traitor in my midst.
My fingers curled tighter around the arms of my leather chair as I raised my eyes to meet his.
A fleeting itch in my palm accompanied the urge, a primal sensation hinting at an often-suppressed, more bestial side of my nature. I rubbed the spot absently, the rough grain of the leather familiar beneath my touch as I quelled the instinctual response.
“Cuz, you gotta see this,” Emmett said, slapping a folder on my desk. “We’ve got trouble.”
I straightened in my leather chair, steeling myself as he slid the folder across the desk. I quirked an eyebrow. “And a good morning to you too, Emmett.”
He flashed me that crooked grin, the one that usually warned me he was stirring up trouble. In this instance, I hoped he was saving me from it. “Yeah, yeah. But seriously, check out what I found. You're not gonna like this.”
I stared down at the papers Emmett had spread across my desk, a knot forming in my gut.
“Someone's been siphoning money into offshore accounts. The amounts are small, but there are lots of them.” Emmett jabbed a finger at the spreadsheet.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly as I processed Emmett's findings. The highlighted areas told a story I didn’t want to believe. But the evidence didn’t lie.
A part of me wished he’d come up empty, but Emmett didn’t deal in false leads. If he'd brought this to me, it was credible intel.
The thought of a traitor among us made my shoulders tighten under an invisible weight. Betrayal was a deeper cut than any enemy could inflict.
My jaw clenched as I scanned the evidence. My cousin was right–the hacker was subtle and had carefully concealed their tracks. Whoever was behind this knew what they were doing. But Emmett's skills were sharper.
“How long has this been going on?” I asked.
“Best I can tell, about three months.”
I sucked in a breath, mind racing over the implications. “Any indication of who's behind it?”
Each brother crossed my mind, each cousin. Trust was the cornerstone of our family, but now suspicion cast long shadows even upon those closest to me.
Emmett shook his head. “Covered their tracks well. But I'll keep digging.”
I closed the file, carefully concealing the tremor in my hands. “Let's keep this between us for now. No need to cast suspicion until we're sure.”
As I uttered those words, a deceptive calm settled over me, yet a sliver of doubt wedged itself in my thoughts. What if our response ensnared the innocent? The potential for collateral damage in this silent war we waged within our walls nibbled at my conscience. For the sake of our family legacy, I reassured myself that it was a necessary risk.
Leaning back in my chair, I exhaled slowly. The thought of deception festering in our ranks made my blood boil. As CEO of Grizzly Guardians Security, I owed it to our family legacy to protect what my father had built.
We were a family business–my five brothers, Thor, Marcus, Nox, Barrett, Orson, and me. Emmett was a Furbane, one of five maternal cousins living in Silverpaw Hollow. And we were all bear shifters.
Thor’s steady hand in logistics often made it seem like he had an inner compass, always pointing to the most efficient route. Marcus had a hawk's eye for detail, perfect for managing our financials. Nox’s intuition was almost supernatural, making him unmatched in human resources, while Barrett’s charm and quick wit piloted our public relations. Orson, the youngest, had the most to prove, but his innovative ideas for our security technologies had already improved our operations by leaps and bounds.
As for Emmett, I recalled the time he’d written an algorithm that exposed a major security flaw —a flaw other programmers had missed despite numerous audits. It had saved us from a potentially disastrous partnership and cemented Emmett's status as a wizard of the digital age among the Furbane cousins. And all this for something Emmett considered a hobby.
Strong, protective, loyal. It was a legacy I aimed to uphold, even as the weight of responsibility threatened to crush me.
Emmett kept talking, outlining the technical details, but his voice faded into background noise. Behind my eyes, memories arose unbidden—the day my father retired as CEO, trusting me to take up the mantle, the first time I sat in this very chair, shoulders back and determined to prove my worth.
My younger brothers looked to me to take the lead, make the hard calls, and carry the load. Most days, I was glad to fulfill that role. But Emmett’s findings threaten to undermine my company.
I'd given my all to this business, sacrificed personal pursuits out of duty and respect for the family legacy. And now a viper lurked in our midst, threatening everything we'd built. Anger welled up, hot and acidic. I swallowed it down. Anger made you sloppy.
A low growl rumbled in my chest before I could stop it.
Emmett raised an eyebrow. “Easy there, cuz. I know this is personal for you.”
“You're damn right it's personal,” I snapped.
Whoever we were dealing with was bold. Ruthless even. This wasn’t simply some low-level employee skimming petty cash. This person was risking a government contract and violating my inner sanctum, the very heart of Grizzly Guardians. They were threatening everything my family had built.
I stared at the paperwork, a deep unease twisting in my gut. This scheme ran deeper than I imagined. The traitor wasn’t only looking to enrich themselves. They wanted to gut Grizzly Guardians from the inside out.
I pushed up from my desk chair, straightening to my full six-five height and pacing to the window. A storm was brewing within these walls, and I didn’t know where or when it would strike next.
My fists clenched at my sides, claws digging into my palms. My bear stirred, eager to confront this threat. But I forced myself to take a deep breath, to think before reacting. Whoever had done this wanted to provoke me.
No, I needed to be smart about this. As the eldest Guardian brother, the responsibility ultimately fell to me. I had to hold this family and company together, no matter how difficult the trial.
Emmett placed a hand on my shoulder. “We'll figure this out, Magnus. I know it seems bad right now, but we've got the brains and brawn to beat this bastard. We just have to stay focused.”
I met his steadfast gaze and managed a tight nod. “No one messes with a grizzly's territory and gets away with it.”
Emmett grinned, cracking his knuckles. “You got it, boss man. I'll shake this place down to the studs if I have to.”
Whoever this traitor was, they'd threatened my company and my family. No force in heaven or earth would stop me from protecting my territory. I would find them and ensure they regretted the day they’d crossed a Guardian grizzly.
“You're sure they accessed my computer?”
Emmett nodded. “Found a ghost account registered under your login. Looks like they copied a batch of financial records and emails.”
“When?”
“Two weeks back, late on a Friday when you'd left for the weekend.”
Clever. They knew I'd be gone and lowered their guard. But not clever enough to evade Emmett's skills.
“All right,” I said, reining in the fury and channeling it to focus. “We're ending this. Now. No more waiting, no more gathering evidence. We take action tonight.”
“Now you're speaking my language.” Emmett grinned. “What's the play?”
I returned to my desk chair, leaning forward. “You're going to send a fake email from my account. Announce an emergency budget meeting first thing tomorrow morning.”
"And you think our little rat will take the cheese..." Emmett nodded, catching on.
“Exactly. Their curiosity will be piqued, especially after accessing my files. They won't be able to resist showing up.”
I leaned back in my chair, the leather creaking under my weight, the predator in me quietly but intently surveying my domain. My fingers tapped an uneven rhythm on the desk, echoing the calculating thoughts.
“And when they do, we'll be waiting to slam the trap shut,” I finished.
My smile was mo re a baring of teeth than mirth. “No one steals from a Guardian. From our family. It's time to remind them what happens when you cross a grizzly.”
The thought of confrontation made my blood run hot. I'd never been one to lose control, but my bear was eager for justice. Ready to protect his territory.
“We'll make this right, Magnus,” Emmett said, serious now. “No one messes with you and gets away with it. Not on my watch.”
I gave him a grateful smile. “Or mine. Thank you for having my back, Emmett. Couldn't do this without you, cuz.”
He grinned. “Hey, what's family for? Now let's go bag us a rat.”
We shared a look of determination. After weeks of tracking clues, the end was finally in sight. By this time tomorrow, the traitor would be exposed and held accountable. My territory would be reclaimed.
Emmett headed out to set the trap in motion, leaving me alone in my office—my inner sanctum—now tainted by betrayal. But soon, it would be clean again. I had a debt to collect, and nothing would stop me from seeking justice.
Chapter 2
Mila
Being a hacker kept me paid. I hid in the shadows. I kept to the dark little den I loved so much. But someone had found me two years ago. They knew who I was and had blackmailed me into infiltrating several companies, the latest of which was the Colorado branch of Grizzly Guardians.
I couldn’t allow my true identity to be revealed. Couldn’t risk exposure. My life would be in jeopardy. No matter how I laid this out, I’d be outed if I failed. With everything I’d managed to pull off, my blackmailers might out me anyway and watch from a distance as someone else killed me.
Swiping my hands down the front of my skirt, I took a deep breath and gave myself a small nod of encouragement. The people blackmailing me wanted funds and the blueprints for the new high-tech security program.
Getting a position at Grizzly Guardians Security hadn’t been a cakewalk, but my skills had spoken for themselves. But now, the work truly began.
I scanned my key card at the front desk and headed up to the IT office on the fifteenth floor. As the elevator doors swished open, a big, burly man stood in the corner of the elevator. I’d kept to myself since starting work here three months ago, but I was sure I’d remember a man who looked like him because, holy crap, he was gorgeous. I didn’t even know his name, but I felt a strange pull to him as if I knew him from somewhere.
He towered over me, a mountain of a man who looked like he could wrestle a bear and come out on top. His broad shoulders strained against the fabric of his tailored suit, hinting at the power coiled beneath. His dark hair fell shy of his collar, giving him a wild edge.
As my gaze roamed upward, I took in the beard, the strong nose, and the deep-set eyes that pierced my defenses. He had rawness and magnetism that spoke to an instinctive part of me, a part I usually kept locked away beneath layers of professionalism, self-control, and borrowed confidence.
In the confines of the elevator, his presence was magnified, almost suffocating. A subtle scent emanated from him, something oddly familiar and comforting. Alluring.
I swallowed hard. I was here on a mission—albeit one forced upon me—and couldn't afford distractions. Yet, as I stood under his silent scrutiny, I wrestled with a dangerous desire to lean closer to this stranger instead of stepping back.
"Floor?" His voice was a deep rumble.
"Um, fifteen," I replied without stuttering, surprised by how small and breathless my voice sounded.
He reached past me to press the button. His arm brushed mine, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine.
The elevator hummed its ascent through the building's spine as I tried to focus on anything but the man beside me. I studied the grid pattern on the floor and counted the number of fluorescent lights reflected in the metallic doors—anything to distract me from his proximity.
As the doors swished open and I stepped off the elevator, I suddenly realized who he was.
Turning quickly to say something to him, the doors shut in my face, closing slowly enough to catch a dark eyebrow slowly rising in amusement.
Shit. Magnus Guardian. Owner and CEO of Grizzly Guardians Security and the most powerful man in the building. Our paths hadn’t crossed until now. After all, I was one of many software techs in the IT department, blending into the background the way I was supposed to.
“That was a great way to introduce myself and make a great impression.” I was still talking to myself when the elevator doors re-opened.
Mr. Guardian stepped out and stopped in front of me. “It looked like you were going to say something before the doors closed.”
Clearing my throat, I threw my hand out and waited for him to shake it. He stared at it, and I swore I heard a low growl rumbling from within him. I straightened up and smiled. “Mila Andrews.”
"Magnus Guardian." He finally took my hand, dwarfing it in his. His grip was firm but careful—as if he were acutely aware of his strength and mindful not to use too much. "Mila." He repeated my name, rolling the “L” around his tongue in a way that had my lower stomach fluttering. “Strange that I haven’t seen you before. I pride myself on knowing all my employees.”
He released my hand, leaving me oddly cold and empty. A frisson of unease drifted along my spine at his words. Summoning a casual shrug, I replied, “I’m pretty new here and tend to keep to myself.”
Mr. Guardian’s dark brown eyes locked onto mine, giving me the impression he could see right through me. "As I’m sure you’re aware, we're like family here," he said with a slight tilt of his head that made a rogue curl fall across his forehead. "We look out for each other."
The words should have been comforting; instead, they settled like stones in my stomach. How could I betray these people who prided themselves on trust and loyalty?
I masked my inner turmoil with a polite smile. "It’s one of the reasons I love working here."
"If you need anything—anything at all—my office is on the top floor next to the meeting room." His eyes searched mine intently. “You’re aware we have a meeting in twenty minutes?”
Licking my suddenly dry lips, I nodded, surprised to see something flicker in his gaze. Disappointment? Anger? He blinked, and it was gone.
I wasn’t sure what this meeting was about, but it must be important for him to call the entire IT department to attend.
Before I could ask, the elevator doors opened. He stepped into the car and hit the button. The doors closed, and I released a shaky breath. That went well.
I nodded and murmured “good morning” to my colleagues as I walked through the large IT office. I sighed as I saw the pile of work cluttering my desk. I’d left it tidy yesterday afternoon, but it seemed my supervisor had dumped a shit ton of extra work there this morning.
A few more days, and this will be over. I’ll be out of here with a new ID and a new home, and this time, I’ll ensure no one can find me.
I spent fifteen minutes attempting to organize what I could before deciding to use the bathroom before the meeting. After taking care of business, I headed back to the elevator and up to the meeting room. Oddly, none of the other staff were milling around when the doors opened. Strange. I expected to see at least one or two of my colleagues making their way into the meeting room.
A secretary sat behind the desk outside, raising her head as I approached. She looked directly at me, an annoyed expression on her face. Huh. Not sure what I’d done to warrant her ire.
“Can I help you?” she asked coolly.
“Mila Andrews. I’m here for the IT meeting with—”
The door opposite me opened, cutting me off.
“Come in, Miss Andrews.” Magnus Guardian’s deep voice beckoned me from within.
My brow creased with a frown. “Never mind. I’ll just…” I pointed awkwardly at the door, spun on my heels, and headed inside.
Mr. Guardian closed the door behind me and walked to the head of the large meeting table. The sun momentarily passed over his dark brown eyes, highlighting the golden ring circling them. I forgot how to breathe for a moment.
“Um, where is everyone else?” I asked hesitantly.
Mr. Guardian lowered his formidable weight into the leather chair. “It’s just you and me, Miss Andrews.”
