CHAPTER 10
CURTIS
I’d had a busy morning, going from one meeting to the next, which had helped keep my mind off the crapshoot of a weekend. Thank goodness for our onsite chefs, or I never would’ve managed to fit in lunch. Not that I felt much like eating. It was Margie’s last day, and not only was I dreading her leaving, but I’d soon find out if Donut Girl wasn’t the person I’d hoped she was.
The only good thing about today was that I’d managed to tee up an appointment with an ex-college buddy’s father, the CEO of Ranger Foods. They were about to launch a new product line, and even though they weren’t looking at using a different agency to their usual one, as soon as I’d told Mike, my buddy, I was trying to make my mark on Knight Advertising, he got me the appointment for tomorrow. If I could land this campaign, I’d do the whole thing myself, and my father could eat his shitty words once I delivered it to the client’s satisfaction.
This would be my secret.
I couldn’t trust anyone, well, except Jack, but I didn’t want him letting it slip.
Now to land the campaign and make something out of nothing.
My desk phone buzzed, and I pressed the Intercom button. Margie’s voice came through. “Miss D’Angelo to see you, sir.”
My shoulders tensed. There was only one reason she would come and see me today—either she wanted to run some candidates by me, or Donut Girl had said yes. My voice was surprisingly normal and calm when I said, “Please send her in.”
Aunt Steph walked in and shut the door behind her. I willed myself to smile, pretend I had no idea what she’d done behind my back. To be honest, I’d expect it of my father, but Aunt Steph? That one hurt. I leaned back in my chair and folded my hands together in my lap—the picture of relaxed. “So, you have some candidates to replace Margie?”
She smiled, and I couldn’t even see the dishonesty in it. Her poker face was commendable, except that right now she was using it for evil rather than good. She sat. “I don’t havesomecandidates. I actually have just one, but I think she’ll be perfect. The thing is, it takes time to get people in and run interviews, and I didn’t want casual staff—there’s too much going on here right now. I don’t think we can trust outsiders.”Oh, the irony. “Also, all things going well, Margie will be back in a few months, which means we’re offering short-term employment. The best candidates are unlikely to apply.”
“Which executive did you strip of their PA?” I didn’t bother mentioning that if I didn’t figure out what the hell was going on with our lemming clients, I wouldn’t even be here in three months.
Her smile fell. “What do you mean?”
“Well, I’m the CEO. I should have an exemplary PA, someone who can rise to the challenge of working with me. As you said, there’s too many things going on right now. I need someone who’sextremely competent. I can’t afford distractions or mistakes.” At least she looked slightly uncomfortable. “I suppose I can fire her if she doesn’t work out.”
She calmly linked her hands in front of her. “I don’t think that would be wise. Your father approved her. I shouldn’t have to spell it out with everything that’s been going on. Just know that you’ll have to answer to your father if this doesn’t work out.”
So much for being the CEO. Had I ever really been in control? I tightened my fist under the table. Getting angry at Stephanie wasn’t going to do anything. Her role in this had hurt me, but my father was behind it. I’d save my grievances for him. One day, there’d be a reckoning. “So, who is it?”
Her gaze traveled to the window behind me for a moment before coming back to my face. “Before I tell you who it is, I will say that she’s professional, intelligent, can type a hundred and thirty words a minute, and knows this industry back to front.” She cleared her throat when I said nothing. “Why don’t I bring her in?”
“Hmm, why don’t you.” I ignored the hum of anger buzzing in my head. They thought they could play me? They thought I was incapable and untrustworthy? I’d prove them right, at least on the trust issue. I’d go along with this stupidity, but I’d let them see only what I wanted them to see.
Stephanie went to the door and beckoned to someone outside. When she returned, Donut Girl was close behind. I knew it was going to happen, but it was still a punch to the gut. A sharp pain stabbed my abdomen, and I rubbed it. Betrayal was a bitch.
My aunt coaxed Donut Girl forward until she stood a few inches from my desk, her blue eyes wary. I wondered how much my father was paying her for this. She was just like every other woman who’d used me for money. The hippo of disappointment sat in my stomach, squashing all the daffodils to death with his fat ass. So why did I still want to comfort Donut Girl and make her feel better? I needed a shrink and a stiff drink.
Aunt Steph was back to being all “isn’t this lovely,” her smile overly bright like a game-show model trying to convince the contestant that the pooper-scooper they’d just won was going to change their life in exciting ways. “You’ve met before. Curtis Knight, this is Faith Emery. She’s an expert in marketing, but she has the skills you need in an assistant. And as we’ve discussed, I think it’s best we keep this inhouse. Margie’s done the handover, so Faith has a good handle on what’s required. If she has any issues, she can call me any time.”
I stood and leaned forward, offering her my hand over the desk. “Thank you for taking the job on such short notice.” I smiled, or at least my mouth did. I didn’t think my eyes quite got there.
Her warm hand slid into mine. I wasn’t ready for the spark that shot from my palm straight to my dick. Her firm grip made me think of something else she could put those long fingers to work on.
“I’m just glad I can help. I won’t be as good as Margie, but I’ll do my best.”
Staring into her eyes was like staring into the sun—if I didn’t look away, I was going to be blinded, and I needed all my faculties to survive this.
I sat in my chair and took in her clothes. I gestured toward her. “I’m sorry, but those clothes aren’t appropriate for my assistant. Tailored pants are fine but not jeans.”
She blushed but didn’t look down. Seemed she had a backbone, which tracked with the woman who kicked an attacker in the balls. “This was sprung on me today. I’ll make sure I’m attired appropriately tomorrow.”
Aunt Stephanie touched Donut Girl’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Faith. He knows this was a surprise.” My aunt threw me an irritated glance. She was practically gritting her teeth as she said, “Faith is doing us a favor on such short notice.”
Faith didn’t look like she agreed. Her cheeks, which alwaysgave her away, pinkened again. Did Donut Girl have a smidgen of conscience? Not that it mattered. I was going to make her life hell for the next six weeks—or as long as I lasted as CEO—not enough for her to quit, but enough that I’d at least get a kick out of this farcical arrangement. Make her earn whatever bonus they must’ve promised her. “Yes, of course. I just want to get things straight from the get-go.” This time, my arrow hit my aunt with a satisfying thwack. Her left eye twitched—her guilty tell. I had to hand it to her; she’d convincingly lied for quite a while. If I hadn’t overheard her and Father in my office, I wouldn’t have even been suspicious. My father, I didn’t trust, but my aunt? Always. Except, no more. Maybe I’d get her a Pinocchio doll for Christmas.
I looked at Faith. “Did Margie give you work for tomorrow?”
