I move closer, looking over her shoulder at the spreadsheet. It's comprehensive. Detailed. She's already mapped out contingency plans I hadn't thought of.
"You did all this in six hours?"
"I work fast when I'm not being micromanaged." There's an edge to her voice. We're still fighting from yesterday. Still angry.
But she's right. The work is good. Better than good.
"The shell company structure here," I point at the screen. "This is clever."
"I know. That's why I designed it." She finally looks at me. "You're not the only one who's good at financial manipulation, Axel. I've been cleaning my father's money since I was twenty-two."
"I know, but..."
"But what? You didn't think I could handle yours?" Her eyes flash. "I have a degree in forensic accounting. I know how to make money disappear and reappear legally. I know how to structure deals that the IRS can't touch. And I'm really fucking good at it."
"Show me," I say, pulling up a chair beside her.
She does. For the next two hours, we work through the numbers together. She's brilliant, seeing patterns and opportunities I missed. Her suggestions for restructuring after the warehouse loss are innovative, aggressive, and exactly what we need.
"This is good work," I admit finally.
"I told you I was useful."
"You did." I lean back in my chair. "I should have listened."
"Yes, you should have."
Awkward silence fills the room, then she clears her throat.
"I want to keep doing this," she says. "Working with you. Using my skills instead of sitting around being decorative."
"You were never decorative."
"That's what you've been treating me like. Something precious to lock away."
"That's not..."
"It is." She saves her work and closes the laptop. "I'm not fragile, Axel. I'm capable. And if I'm going to be here, I need to be doing something."
She's right. I've been so focused on keeping her safe that I forgot she's more than just someone to protect.
"Alright," I say. "Tomorrow, Viktor briefs you on the full operation. You get access to everything. All the books, all the businesses, all the accounts."
Her eyes widen. "Wait… E-Everything?"
"You want to be involved? Then be involved. Properly." I stand. "But Aurora, this means you're in it. Fully. You'll be part of my organization."
"I understand."
"Do you? Because once you're in, there's no leaving. You'll know too much. Be too valuable. Every enemy I have will see you as a target."
"They already do. Because of the baby. At least this way, I'm a target who can defend herself with information."
She's not wrong.
"Alright. We'll start tomorrow."
She nods, gathers her things to leave. At the door, she pauses.
