AllFreeNovel
Share Us
No flipping thanks.
Ugh. I should’ve known this opportunity was too good to pass up.
No one’s motives are that pure, especially CEOs of powerful security companies.
But by sticking this out, I’m going to get the funding for my conservation work. That’s the important thing, all that really matters in the big picture.
I stare at my phone thoughtfully. There’s a stark black-and-white portrait of a perfectly scowly Foster staring up at me like the judgmental prick he is.
What kind of man is he for real?
The messy picture Vanessa Dumas painted or something more human?
Before I can dwell on it, the door behind me flies open. In stalks Satan with his usual bold, forceful strides. Miss Cho follows in his wake, wearing what seems like her normal serene expression.
Irritation flicks across Foster’s face as he sees me in the chair, but he thrusts out a no-nonsense hand without waiting for me to stand.
A power play.
“Shepherd Foster, CEO,” he says crisply. “You’ve already met my assistant, Hannah Cho.”
Wow.
I guess she really did 'manage' the tantrum right out of him.
I sneak a quick glance at her, but she doesn’t show a flicker of emotion.
Foster doesn’t move, waiting demandingly.
“So, we’re just going to pretend this is our first meeting?” I say, folding my arms.
His eyes glint like knives. “I’m going to swallow my damned pride and start over, Miss Lancaster. The rest is entirely up to you.”
Lovely.
We’re caught in a breathless staring contest for the next thirty seconds.
He’s not offering an apology for going off on me, and I’m not expecting one.
I’m honestly tempted to leave him hanging for a few more seconds or to neglect his handshake altogether. He wasdisgustinglyrude, after all, when all I wanted was to keep his dumbass from becoming the richest person to drown in the Sound.
But I’m stronger than temptation and smarter than my snark suggests.
“Destiny Lancaster.” I stand and shake his hand lightly, dropping it as soon as I can. His fingers feel oddly warm, strong, too firm to call it diplomatic or comfortable. Another power play, I guess.
Another burst of irritation snaps at his eyes, but he just crosses behind his desk and drops into his chair. “You can go, Miss Cho. I’ve got it from here.”
She pauses for a second, looking at me for half a beat before nodding.
“Of course, sir.” As commanded, she turns and shuts the door gently behind her.
Yawning silence.
Three seconds feels like thirty years.
The large glassy modern clock on the wall ticks obnoxiously loud. I wonder if he wants that thing to intimidate everyone who comes into his citadel.
If he’s hoping it’s going to work on me, he’s SOL.
