AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She looks reluctant. The only girl I’ve known who ever looked reluctant to be associated with me. And that more than anything tells me that she's the right person for the job. “And how long is this going to last?”
I shrug. "Who knows? A week? A month? I guess you have to take your chances the same way I’m taking mine. You in or out?”
She frowns for a long time and seems unsure. She also chews her lips drawing my eyes back to the poutier lower lip that I just want to suck into my mouth and nibble on until we’re both sweaty and I'm thrusting into her again and again.
Calm down. You’re not doing that with her.
Aren’t I?
"Fine," she announces, drawing my attention back to the determination in her eyes. "I'm in."
Chapter Seven
Ava
Youhavenocluewhat you’re getting yourself into.
The warning echoes in my mind, as I hurry to keep up with Maddox’s steps. He didn’t tell me where we were going, simply barked out the order “Follow me” as he walked out of his office, smiling triumphantly. I didn’t have a choice but to obey. I still don’t. I remind myself just how much I don’t have a choice to keep myself from having a panic attack right here right now and ruining this whole thing.
I can’t believe it actually worked.
To be honest, I didn't think it would. Half of me thought he would throw me out of the office the second he discovered that what I had to say had nothing to do with Chloe.
But no. He listened.
And as of today, I’m working for Maddox Reign, something that seemed so unfathomable a week ago. I’m also going to pretend to be his girlfriend. I have no clue what that means or why he needs one, but I’m going to find out soon enough, I guess. I have a feeling it won’t be good.
Still, it's a small price to pay for the opportunity. And I'll survive it, for my daughter.
I’ll do anything for Mimi. That’s why I’m here.
I notice people actively avoid looking at Maddox as we walk. It’s like they think he’s some kind of god, and they’ll get incinerated if they make any kind of eye contact. I don't doubt that most of his employees are terrified of him A man with Maddox’s reputation would strike fear in even the most confident agent. But it’s important that I prove myself and don’t cower in front of him. I noticed he said this was a trial run which means that within the next few weeks or so, I have to prove to him that I’m an asset.
I talked a big game back in his office, now I need to show that I'm worth the trouble or I’m going to get canned, deal or no deal.
After winding around the hallway, Maddox finally reaches another tall smooth wooden door. Without hesitation, he opens it, striding in. I pause at the door, though, when I recognize that it’s a conference room and it’s filled with about fifty-odd people sitting there and shifting nervously. All eyes go to Maddox the minute he walks in.
Maddox pauses, turns to me, and raises an eyebrow in question. I swallow and continue into the room, not meeting anyone's eyes just yet. It's all good, though, because the people barely pay attention to me. I'm sure they're too focused on keeping their jobs to care much about what I'm doing.
Maddox takes a seat at the head of the table. There are no empty seats, and Maddox is not gentlemanly enough to have one brought in for me, so I just kind of stand behind him awkwardly trying not to look as out of place as I feel.
“I despise meetings,” he starts, his voice seeming louder in the silence. “Hate them. They're pointless time sinks that unintelligent people call for shit that could have just been emailed. In the amount of time, you’ve worked here, Natasha, how many meetings have I called?”
“Zero,” The woman from the front desk says, giving me a funny look.
“Zero meetings. That means something. That means that I’m not the kind of boss who wants to walk in here and fucking stare at your faces all day while I explain to you how to do your fucking job. That’s what I pay you for. I pay you toknowhow to do your fucking jobs.”
A few people swallow nervously. Some visibly quiver even though Maddox hasn’t even raised his voice yet. He’s still talking in that mild tone like he's just having a normal conversation, but we all know something is coming. I can sense it in the atmosphere, like the quiet after the lightning, before thunder booms. I haven’t even worked for him yet and I know something is coming.
Maddox turns to look at a man wearing tweed with wirerimmed glasses. "How many collective deals have we closed in the past month, Fred?”
“Um…” Fred looks taken aback by the question and blinks for a few seconds before ruffling through the papers in front of him. “I would have to…”
“You’re fired,” Maddox interrupts him. “Pack up and be gone by the end of the day.”
Fred can only gape at him in horror, mouth wide with no words coming out. But Maddox has already shifted his gaze to the next person, a young boy who is sitting beside Fred. “What about you, intern? You know the numbers?”
“Um….three billion.” The boy's voice cracks.
