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“I’ll make up a room,” said an older woman who I hadn’t noticed until that moment.
“Notin the main wing,” Brick snarls. “Put her in the East wing. Away from the family.”
My stomach twists up even more. Jesus. He’s never made me feel so beneath him before.
My eyes burn. What a dick.
John, the pilot, comes in at that moment, stomping the snow off his boots and looking around at the huge mansion with appreciation, like he’s never been inside even though he flies here every weekend.
“You flew her here in this weather?” Blackthroat booms.
“I didn’t want to, but she told me you’d be pissed as hell if I didn’t. Promised me a bonus and everything. But we’re going to have to hole up here for the night. There’s no way I can get that bird back up in this weather. I barely got us down safely.”
“I noticed,” Blackthroat growls. His eyes look strange in the light. Almost golden.
“Not to piss you off even more, but I have fifteen minutes to get this form signed and submitted.”
“Why didn’t you just sign it for me?” Blackthroat explodes.
I hate that everyone is still standing here like watching me get abused by my boss is a spectator sport.
“Because it requires your social security number to get in and Genevieve in HR is tighter than a vault when it comes to giving out personal info about you or your team.”
Blackthroat lets out a low growl and snatches the laptop from me, striking keys angrily as he scrolls through and completes the paperwork. He snaps the lid down and thrusts it at me. “There. It’s done.” He glares at me. “I don’t know what you’re going to do here until the weather clears. You can’t join us.”
I bite back the “Wow,” that’s on my lips because I don’t want it to seem like I expected to join him. Instead, I straighten my spine. “I will stay out of your hair until it’s safe to fly. You’re welcome, by the way. For making sure you didn’t lose the deal.”
“I’ll show you both to the East wing,” the older woman interjects politely, enabling me the exit I so desperately crave.
I give my short hair a toss as I clutch the laptop to my chest like a high school student carrying her books and follow her down the hall and away.
My eyes burn as I walk. It’s the first time Blackthroat has ever made me feel like crying. I sort of prided myself on not letting his tantrums get to me, but something about this one did. At MoonBase, I don’t mind being the outsider. Of course, I am an outsider–Wall Street isn’t my jam. I took the job to serve as an observer. But here in Blackthroat’s country residence? Here it seems more personal.
And the feeling is a familiar, crippling one. That one where I know that no matter how smart I am or how hard I work, I’ll never compare to a blueblood. The rich kids with pedigrees and trust funds and the assumption since the day they were born that they’d someday be boss over everyone they worked with.
She shows John to a room and then takes me to mine where she gives me a towel and washcloth for the bathroom. “I’ll see if Ruby has some clothes you can borrow while you’re here. You two are probably around the same size. The kitchen is back toward the main wing on your left. You can come in any time, and I’ll fix you something to eat, all right? My name is Liz if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Liz. I’m Madi. Mr. Blackthroat’s assistant.” I hear my voice wobble a little and hate myself–and him–for it.
“Yes, I gathered.” She gives me a thoughtful look. “Flying in here was dangerous.”
I wilt even more under that observation, but she hurries to add, “You went beyond the call of duty. You’re obviously very dedicated.”
I sniff and shrug because honestly? I think I might be done. I don’t like the way I feel right now, and I’m not sure I’ll recover from it.
Up until now, this job has been entertaining, but it just lost a lot of its luster for me. Plus, Brayden’s tuition has now been paid.
But I’m probably just hungry and tired. I shouldn’t make any decisions when I’m in this state.
“Thanks,” I say and go into the bedroom and shut the door. Of course, the first thing I do is double check to make sure the paperwork has really all been submitted and is ready to go through. Then I call Blackthroat’s agent to let her know.
I’m not the type of person who can do a less than perfect job. Even if I quit tomorrow, I need to know this thing gets tied up with a bow.
A light knock sounds on the door when I get off the phone, and I find Ruby at the door with an armful of clothing.
“Hey, I heard you got stranded here for the weekend.” She gives me a one-armed hug I didn’t know I so desperately needed. “I brought you some clothes.” She enters and puts the pile of neatly folded clothes on the bed.
“Not the weekend. I’ll leave tomorrow if the weather clears. My mom’s going to freak out as it is that I can’t come over tonight to help bake pies.” I wince, realizing I still need to make that phone call.
