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“And then there’sthe pre-school admissions.”
“Pre-school? Theyhaven’t even filled their first nappy yet, what does pre-school have to do withanything?” Gulp, Shaw tried not flinch as Stephanie once more looked murderous,both hands clenching war axes now.
“My daughters willhave the very best advantages in this world if I have to kill every Freyjablessed school admissions officer to make it happen.” Stephanie took a deepbreath, glancing at the axes in her hands with genuine surprise beforedisappearing them instantly. “Besides, the school we’ve picked out isconsidered the best early care and educational option available. Especially forthose of a supernatural bent. Unfortunately, it’s owned by Galen’s best friend,who’s feeling a little narky with Galen right now and being rather resistant tothe idea of doing us any favours.”
Silence fell asStephanie finally stopped talking and looked expectantly at Shaw, for whatexactly, Shaw wasn’t sure. Answers? To volunteer to kill everyone standing inthe way of Stephanie achieving her goals? How hard was it to kill a fewConflict She-Demons? Pretty hard if she recalled. Unfortunately, Galen hadseven sisters, the odds weren’t great… but perhaps doable. That’s if Shaw’sknee didn’t give out on her.
Abruptly Stephanieswung her feet down to the floor, spending an embarrassing five secondsstruggling to get up out of the chair before finally managing to stand upright.Her face bright red, her breath coming in fast pants. Bounce. Bounce. “Come outof there.” Bounce. Bounce. “Mama has important things to do. People to hire.Clients to find. Books to balance. An important meeting with our new meatsupplier to attend.” Bounce. Bounce. “Look for the light, Ladies, chop, chop.Auntie Shaw is here, she’ll catch you.”
Shaw shot out ofher seat like she was made of liquid lightning. Pushing Stephanie gently butfirmly back down onto the big conference chair behind her whilst snatching awaythe clipboard. “Sit down and cross your legs. There will be no looking for thelight. Do you really want your daughters born at Corporate Headquarters?”Stephanie shot her a mulish look. “Think of the carpets.”
Sighing in defeat,Stephanie slumped back into the comfort of the high backed chair. “Fine. Youwin. Here, give me that.” She gestured for the clipboard.
“No.” Shaw knewwith absolute certainty she was going to regret this. “I was serious about yougoing on maternity leave, starting now.” Glancing down dubiously at theimpressive number of items on Stephanie’s to-do list before determinedlysquaring her shoulders. “We are Valkyries, perfectly capable of holding downthe fort whilst you stay home, put your absolutely not puffy ankles up, andrelax.”
“You’re going totake on my to-do list?” Stephanie was eyeing the clipboard like a wolverinegazed at an injured antelope. “You?”
“Yes.” Shaw backedaway slowly, taking the clipboard with her. “I’m sure with Helgastein’s helpthe two of us can tackle everything in a speedy and efficient manner.”
Stephanie openedher mouth to say something before clearly changing her mind and snapping itshut. Instead she grabbed her phone.
Expecting moreresistance, Shaw had to enquire. “Who are you calling?”
“Galen. He needsto meet me at home, a.sap. Did you know vigorous sex can potentially inducelabour?”
Shaw groaned, shecould have lived without knowing that. Resolutely gripping the clipboard, shemade a hasty exit. Stomping down the corridor headed for the CEO’s lair and thedour guard dog that manned the desk located immediately outside Stephanie’soffice.
Helgastein’s sternexpression fixed upon the clipboard clutched in Shaw’s hand. “Praise Freyja,you were successful.”
“I couldn’t havedone it without your little nudge. Puffy ankles. Well played. She’s headedhome. Here.” Shaw flung the clipboard down on top of Helgastein’s desk.
“Ah, I don’t thinkso.” One of Helgastein’s infamous broadswords appeared in her hand, using thetip of the deadly weapon to push the loathsome clipboard back in Shaw’sdirection. “I’m merely an executive assistant, that right there is an UpperManagement problem. I shall be dealing with a much greater looming issue than ato-do list.”
Say what now? “Butyou said you’d help out if I convinced Stephanie to take maternity leave.”
“Do you think ouresteemed leader will just idly waddle around her mansion, waiting patiently forthe birth of her twin Valkyrie daughters?”
“She did mentionsex with Galen in an attempt to induce labour.”
“She’ll wear thatDemon out. Babies are stubborn. They come when they come. I have her down foreleven months and twenty-two days in the betting pool. Problem is, betweenbanging their boots bouts, Stephanie will begin to wonder about what’s going onat HQ. Then she’ll begin to worry, imagining all sorts of mayhem and mischief.To start with she’ll call. If someone is here to answer, to soothe her fears,or point out what a lunatic she’s being, no doubt she’ll be pacified. Do youwant to be the one to answer those calls? You know how obsessive she is. Howmany times a day… an hour, do you think she’s going to call? I’ve started abetting pool by the way, if you want in see Makthesha in Public Relations.”
Oh, Freyjapreserve them, Helgastein was right. Damn it. Reluctantly Shaw picked up theloathsome clipboard, her eyes skating down the list, biting back a whineygroan. No, she was better than this. She was a Valkyrie. She could do this. Nomountain too high. No neck too thick to hack through.
Although, perhapsthere was still a way to wriggle her way out of this mess. “My workload isalready pretty heavy.” Yeah, sitting in her office moping took a lot of timeand energy. “I’m just not sure I have the spare… capacity to take on all theseaction points.”
“I said I’d help,and I have, by assigning you your own personal executive assistant. She’ll runthe Legal Department under your direction so you can focus on what’s importanthere. The to-do list. Text me with regular updates so I can keep Stephanieapprised of your progress. Unless you want her hormonally volcanic bouncing assback here in the office?”
“No. We don’t wantthat.” The news that Stephanie was finally going on maternity leave had alreadydone the rounds of the executive floor. There was palpable relief in the air.More than a few Valkyries had cracked open a can of larger at their desk, andwere celebrating with their co-workers.
Crap, grim faced,out of options, Shaw whirled around to take her leave, her knife edged battleskirt flaring out momentarily, leaving a gouge across the front of Helgastein’swooden desk. Hah, good.
Heading down thecorridor towards Legal, Shaw glared down anyone who met her gaze. Yeah. Yeah.Nothing to see here but one lame, all but useless Valkyrie.
Okay, once she gotback to her office, she’d check her emails to see if Medical had any new ideason how to treat her knee. Then she’d get on the phone and start dealing withStephanie’s to-do list. In fact, now that she had an executive assistant,perhaps Shaw could delegate the work to them.
She’d neverbothered to fill the position previously, mainly because she didn’t need to outsourceher moping and harassment of Medical. Plus, Shaw’s throwing daggers were justas effective at keeping unwanted visitors out of her office as a guard dogsecretary.
But having someoneto do her personal bidding and take charge of this stupid list? The timingcouldn’t be better. Stepping into Legal’s domain at the rear of the executivefloor, Shaw was gratified to see everyone was busy, busy, busy. Yes, her mix ofcasual disregard, blatant bribery and the occasional glimpse of her famedhalberds were doing the trick. The lazy heifers of the Legal Department were,she thought, officially a thing of the past.
