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“Do you want them to report to me? I can gather a daily task list and field questions. You can delegate smaller responsibilities and decision-making to me, and then I’ll start your day with a list of tasks in order of priority.”
I pondered his words for a moment. “Is that…is that something my father did?”
Adonis laughed. “No, sir. He liked having an entourage following him, basking in his presence. I think you’d thrive with a little organization. I’d be happy to do this for you, sir.”
I nodded. “I still want to be informed. I just…”
Adonis placed his hands behind his back and continued his leisurely walk. “I remember you hiding in the bathroom at your first ball. Everyone wanted to talk to you, but you just wanted to eat the chef’s award-winning pumpkin cake.”
I grinned. “Such good cake.”
“Superior cake, sir.”
I bit my lip before continuing. “So I’m just a coward?”
“No. You’ll make a great leader—eventually. But I’m here to help you find a process that works for you. I’d, too, feel overwhelmed if I was greeted with ten people first thing in the morning. All demanding something of me. They need a point of contact.”
I waved my hand. “Whatever the title, whatever the pay, you’ve got it. Hire yourself an assistant, too.”
Adonis nodded, but the proud way he puffed out his chest made me feel…good…about this decision. The poor bastard had to put up with me over the years. He’d driven drunk girls home and cleaned up my vomit. He deserved a raise. There wasn’t anyone I trusted more.
“Thank you, sir,” he whispered so reverently that it made me flinch.
“You deserve it, Adonis,” I whispered back.
We continued on in silence, the weight of my burdens lessening with every step. I thought about Christine and how I wished I could spend the day with her. We hadn’t discussed what she’d told me two days ago, mostly because I was too much of a chicken shit to bring it up and she fled the room whenever I entered it.
Eventually, we’d have to talk.
Eventually, I’d make it right.
Adonis guided me toward a large hall that made me pause. My mouth dropped open in horror as I came to a skidding halt.
Row after row of marble statues of my father lined each wall. Paintings of him wrapped in fur and sitting in front of the fire greeted me, the careful brush strokes showing off his fierce face.
“For fuck’s sake, Adonis, what the hell kind of cruel hell is this part of the castle?”
Adonis bit his lip. “Your new office is just this way,” he said while pointing to a set of double doors with ornate gold handles at the end.
“Fuck, this hallway is terrifying. Is my father’s cock hanging out on that statue, Adonis?” I asked in disbelief while looking at a suspiciously large marble appendage.
Adonis sighed pretentiously in that way only his snooty self could recreate. “I’ve never seen your father’s cock, sir, but I know the artist took certain liberties.”
I shook my head, feeling trapped once again as I stared down the rows of carved faces and paintings. “I need all of this cleared out. Like, yesterday, Adonis. Bury it with my father for innocent eyes to never see again.” I cringed when I saw one of him standing naked on a rock, sword in hand.
“Absolutely, Your Majesty. What art would you like to replace it?”
I swallowed, a strange ball of emotion rising up my throat. “Christine,” I rasped.
“Sir?”
“Christine. Just one of her.” A warmth flooded my chest, and I sucked in the stifling castle air. “Let’s get to work, shall we?”
Chapter Fifteen
CHRISTINE
My mind wandered to all the ways I would murder August as I lay in bed, dragging a dull blade along my thigh.
