I don’t flinch. She hates it when I hand her easy tells. “A contract,” I say. “Thirty days. Paid.”
She ponders the wordpaidwithout smiling. “Another toy.” The way she says it makes it sound ridiculous.
“Recreation,” I correct. “Everyone needs a pastime, no?”
She shakes her head. “We’ve got an empire without an heir, and you’re playing games. Youshouldbe looking for a wife.”
“The empire needs stability right now more than an heir,” I say. “If I find a worthy woman, there could be more than one heir. All when I’m ready.”
She’s lost enough to be allowed to be practical. “Stability starts with a wife, not a hobby.”
“I’m not a man worthy of a wife yet,” I retort. “I’m working toward it.”
She studies my face. She always knows when I’m lying. I don’t. It’s why we still speak.
She flips the first page, her finger pointing to the second line.
“This amount,” she says, one brow raised, “is higher than the contract.”
“An additional payment,” I say. “Approve it.”
“Purpose.” Mina’s tone cuts like a scalpel.
“Six months’ business rent,” I answer. “To hold her place at the boutique. When this contract ends, her job will still be waiting.”
Mina’s eyes flick up, sharp and knowing. “That’s quite generous for a woman who hasn’t even finished her first week. Bit of a waste if you ask me.”
“I don’t waste money. I invest it.”
Her mouth twitches. “On her?”
“She’s worth the cost,” I reply. “And expensive only in ways that matter.”
Mina signs the base invoice, then taps the addendum. “We are not a charity.”
“No, we’re not. We remove risk. This buys stability—for her, and for me.”
Her eyes narrow. “Soft spots invite knives.” One of her favorite turns of phrase. “You’re soft on this one.”
“I am precise with this one,” I correct her. “She follows my three rules—privacy, precision, truth. Five-minute window. I’ve insulated her job. Makes our arrangement easier.”
Mina files that away with a flicker of interest. “Aren’t these women supposed to be professional subs?”
“She lied,” I admit. “But she has potential.”
Mina tilts her head, measuring me. “A liar with potential,” she says. “Interesting combination.”
“I thought so too,” I reply.
Mina nods toward the photos on my desk, the one of Ivan, specifically. “Speaking of Ivan.” Her gaze flicks to the stills. “He’s consolidating attention, not power. Yet. If you allow him a chance, he’ll cast himself as your nemesis.”
“I won’t give him the satisfaction. I’ve got eyes on him.”
“Good.” She signs the addendum but underlines it with her pen. “Documented as ‘special signing bonus for new hire.’ Next time, I’d appreciate a little warning first. It’s your money, but it’s my job to keep track of it for you.”
“Done.”
She takes in the table again. “You ping Alex about what’s going on with Ivan?”
