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“You fired Althea, which is a pity, because Nikolai almost never shows up to work in fishnet stockings. I think it’s time to let this go.”
She laughs. “I needed a car to get around, and I had the money to buy one. It’s not a big deal.”
“I have ten cars parked in the garage at home and a driver to go with each one. You don’t need your own car,” I fire back. “You certainly don’t need to be driving yourself.”
“I want to.”
I blink and in my mind’s eye, I hear the crunch of metal. I see the world tipping sideways, Paige flying across the backseat, thecrackof her head hitting glass…
“Paige—”
“Misha,” she cuts in firmly. “Equals, remember? If this marriage is going to work, you’re going to have to let me call the shots once in a while. Especially when it comes to my own life.”
I narrow my eyes. “I’ve made more than enough concessions for you in the last few days.”
“Isn’t that what marriage is?” she asks innocently. “Give and take?”
“Maybe it’s your turn to give a little.” I arch a brow seductively, and she flushes. We both remember the last time she gave.
She takes a step towards me, and I glance down at the cleavage showcased by her white silk blouse. “I promise to be a good little driver.”
“Please. You can’t fool me. You’re not a good little anything.”
She smiles seductively. “See you at home tonight?”
“I’ll let you drive, but we’re leaving together. In your damn car, if you prefer.”
I don’t like it. Not one fucking bit. But I don’t want to undermine all this newfound confidence she’s cultivating here. She needs to be tough if she’s going to work in this company. She needs to be commanding if she’s going to corral the troops.
I meant it when I said she’s queen of the castle. And, well… It takes strength to be queen.
This is the first time I’ve felt wholly confident that Paige may have exactly what it takes.
46
PAIGE
ROWAN: Hey, just went to your office, and you’re not there. Playing hooky without me?
Smiling, I text back from the coffeeshop just down the street from Orion. I’m still in the shadow of the gigantic building, but it’s just far enough away to give me some breathing room.
PAIGE: I’m at Café Revello. Brought my laptop down for company. You’re welcome to join.
ROWAN: Be there in ten.
I put my phone aside and order an almond milk latte for Rowan, another immune booster for me, and the pastry basket for both of us to share.
My appetite comes and goes lately. When it comes, I like to shovel as much food into my body as I can manage. Today, that includes two jelly danishes, two chocolate croissants, and a trio of honey butter biscuits, with plenty of room for more.
By the time the pastry basket hits the table, Rowan is walking into the shop with her own laptop tucked under her arm.
She sits down in the chair across from me and nods approvingly. “This is a nice change of scenery. My insulin disagrees, but the rest of me is onboard. Although…”
I arch a brow. “Although what?”
“Is there any reason this change in scenery was necessary?” she asks.
I groan. “Am I that obvious?”
