Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106774 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
But that’s not what it is. It’s not a quirk.
Renn Brewer doesn’t think I need an assistant. He thinks I need a fucking babysitter.
Fucking hell.
I run a hand over my head and grit my teeth, trying to bite back the feelings rushing to the surface. This trade was supposed to be a fresh start. Renn sold it as a way for me to slide into a program with a great group of guys and build on a solid foundation. I took it as a solution to a problem and a way to get closer to my roots. But, in reality, he was placating me. He’d heard the stories and bought into the stupid rumors just like everyone else.
Wow.
Astrid nestles a hand on the curve of her hip. “I’m established here. People have expectations of me. Renn has expectations of me. To be blunt about it, I can’t have my success tied to yours, considering your reputation and all.”
Whatever issues she had with me before I arrived in Renn’s office are now exacerbated by his commentary. There’s no beating this, no matter what I do. She’s already decided who I am. They’ve already decided who I am. The only thing I can control is getting my bonus, finishing this contract, and figuring it out from there.
If I didn’t need the cash, I’d tell Renn and his nasty little stooge to get fucked.
“I hate to break the news to you,” I say, licking my bottom lip. “But I’m sure this won’t be the first time you’ve been a disappointment.”
Her green eyes darken. “I hate you.”
“Feeling is so mutual, sweetheart.”
She growls in the air, her fists balling up at her sides.
Despite my desire to walk out of here, burning everything down behind me, I can’t. The ink is dry on my contract, and promises have been made. Money has been spent. I’m stuck. I’m stuck here, and I’m stuck with her.
She turns her back on me again and faces the window.
I stretch my legs in front of me, rolling my head around my neck. There must be a solution to this—one that will let me keep my bonus close and Miss Manners far away from me. But what is it?
Think, Adler.
She’s made it clear that she wants no part of me, but she also won’t disappoint Renn. I want absolutely no part of her. And if I push back too hard, Renn won’t just be disappointed in me—not that I care about that—but he’ll find me in breach of my contract. No matter what, that can’t happen.
I lick my lips as a plan comes to my mind.
If I can’t refuse her help and she won’t quit, all I can do is frustrate her so much that she avoids me. Odds are she’ll do that, anyway. She can’t risk her precious reputation getting tainted by mine. I might have to cover for her if asked and sing her praises so Renn thinks she’s been a world-class babysitter. Although that makes me want to puke, I can do it. I’ve done worse for much, much less.
There’s really no other choice.
“All right,” I say, resolved to my fate. “You do what you need to do, but I’m telling Renn I’m good with this.”
She stiffens before facing me with a slack jaw. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I have a lot of money on the line, and I’m not risking it to appease you.”
“So you expect me to tell Renn no?”
I smirk. “Just stomp to his desk and give him a lecture on how his actions are inconveniencing you. Call him a bully. It helps when you point your finger.” I demonstrate the way she pointed it at me earlier today. “That really drives your point home.”
Her lips part, fury undoubtedly on the tip of her tongue. But before she can spew her vitriol my way, the door opens. Renn comes in with a glass in his hand. He looks at Astrid, then at me. The tension is thick enough to cut with a hot knife, but if Renn senses it, he does a great job of hiding it.
“Are things handled?” he asks.
“Yeah,” I say, shrugging casually. “We talked it out, and we’re on the same page. We’re gonna make a great team.”
“Glad to hear it,” he says.
He turns away from us to close the door, and I think he chuckles under his breath. Astrid uses the opportunity to glare at me with such force that, if looks could kill, I’d already be ten feet under with daisies growing on top of me.
I wink at her, just to watch the steam rise from her head. Maybe she’ll lose her cool and throw one of her fits. That just might make this morning worth it.
Renn takes his seat. Astrid walks between me and Renn’s desk, with her back to him, to get to her chair. As she passes me, her eyes narrow to slits.