"I understand that the stipulations are rather extreme, but you and the board have to admit that Bully's actions more than warrant it." Tapping a pen on her desk Dixie ground her teeth as Michael wavered on approving the match, sometimes she thought life would be so much easier if she just bend everyone to her will.

Looking up as the door opened she waved her nephew and Chief of Staff in, when she'd heard Ethan was stopping by to take Spud out to lunch she'd asked if he'd stop by first. Of course she had hoped to have the match confirmed so she could share the good news. "Michael really, you promised the board would have no problems with what I've asked for. Are you going back on your word?" Asked with just the right hint of sadness she grinned when he caved without further argument, promising to send the contract over straight away.

Hanging up Dixie sat back, catching her nephew's eyes she smiled in satisfaction, "and that my darling is the final nail in Bully's coffin."

"I didn't doubt you'd get it approved," shoving his hands in his pockets Ethan matched his Aunt's satisfied smile, eyes flashing red at the very pleasant thought that Bully would soon pay for everything he'd done.

"Not without a little gentle prodding, but this time next week Bully will find himself in a match that will see him fired and out of the company once and for all," searching through the paperwork on her desk Dixie triumphantly pulled out the contract she'd just gotten signed this morning. "Plan B is also in place and ready to go into action."

Frowning Spud stepped a little further in the room, he'd been content to listen to the conversation and imagine life without Bully's nonsense but this was the first time he'd heard even a hint about a secondary plan, "er, what's plan B?" Straightening his spine he did his best not to shrink under the combined gazes of his boss and his … under Ethan's. Ever since waking up in Ethan's arms this morning he'd been fighting both the embarrassment at having come in his pants after just one touch and the urge to shove Ethan against a wall and return the favour.

"I thought I told you about that, yesterday after …" breaking off at Spud's instant flush Ethan abruptly realized he'd completely forgotten to tell the other man the plan in the wake of much more pleasant pass times. Unable to help himself he leered, trying not to laugh when Spud glared at him.

Coughing Dixie struggled to keep her voice neutral, unsure exactly how she felt about the increasing signs Ethan was sleeping with her Chief of Staff. Not that it wasn't expected, it was the very rare Vessel bond that didn't contain some component of a physical relationship. "I hired two rather large impressive gentlemen to join our team next week, at the last moment of course so Bully has no chance to plan."

"That's brilliant," Dixie's smile was so pleased Spud couldn't explain the sudden dread that filled him, not even Ethan's arm draping over his shoulder could shake the tension tightening his muscles.

"Well I do believe you two were on your way out to lunch, off with you now so I can get back to work," mood restored by the admiration in Spud's voice Dixie waved them off cheerfully. If the courier didn't arrive within the next twenty minutes she had a board member she needed to contact again.

"Sure, see you later Aunt D," guiding Spud out the door Ethan kept a hand on the smaller man's back, puzzled by the odd tension he could feel he waited until they were in the car. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

Buckling his seatbelt Spud tried to laugh off the question, "nothing's wrong Sir, just looking forward to going to lunch."

"Hmm, then why is every muscle in your back tense and why …" twisting to face the smaller man Ethan reached out and tugged his lip out from between his teeth, leaning forward to press a kiss on the abused flesh, "why are you almost biting your lip in two?"

Curling his fingers around Ethan's wrist Spud held on tightly, smiling into the warm kisses feathered across his mouth he sighed regretfully when the bigger man finally pulled away. Watching the darkness swirl and cover the beautiful red he blinked and flushed when Ethan's amused voice penetrated the daze he'd fallen into.

"So are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Drawing back, smug at the effect he'd had Ethan finally started the car and pulled out into the lunch hour traffic. Keeping one eye on Spud and one on the road he captured the smaller man's hand.

"Nothing is wrong, I promise, I just …" taking comfort from the slow strokes across his knuckles Spud sighed, "I have a bad feeling about the match with Bully, like something terrible is going to happen." He felt a little foolish voicing his worry out loud, relieved when Ethan squeezed his hand in response.

Casting a glance at Spud, protective instinct flaring at the smaller man's distinct look of worry Ethan raised his hand and pressed a quick kiss against his pulse, "I won't let him hurt you again tiger, you don't need to worry."

"I know you won't, Ethan," warmed by the absolute certainly in Ethan's voice Spud let out a slow breath and pushed the niggling worry to the back of his mind. At least the one thing he was confident in was the fact nothing bad could happen with Ethan by his side.