Man, so much had changed since she made that request.New assignment.Yes.Okay.
“In New York?”
“The client wants to meet you first.”
Okay, sometimes that worked in her favor.Only sometimes.
“What do I need to know?”
“I’ll send his information through to your email.He’s a top client.Extremely important.”
Great.“And I was given this assignment because…”
Given her affinity for pissing people off and tanking Brooker’s reputation with her inappropriateness, why would they risk offering her such an important chance?
“It’s believed…” Though he was only semi-convinced judging by his tone.“We may have taken the wrong approach.Your unexpected success with Camden Collier suggests you may be better suited to more affluent clients.”
They appreciated a no bullshit attitude more than the pretenders in the middle, or closer to the bottom, of the table?She could see that.
“So you’re giving me a high roller?”
“Don’t fuck this up,” Allan said, raising his eyes from the tablet to push his stare onto hers.“Elle…”
“Right.Don’t fuck this up.I won’t fuck this up.”
Why did she say that?Now it was almost guaranteed.Never say things out loud.It tempted a fate that clearly was already unhappy with her.
She pounced to her feet.
“Wait a second,” he said and gestured to something behind her.
Something?Someone.
“Ready for me?”Terra asked.
This woman was a cursed shadow.Sorry.She was sorry, okay?Whoever was laughing at her, whatever god or force or whoever—honestly, how much could she take of this woman?
“Yes, Elle, Terra’s going to assume your role with Mr.Collier,” Allan said.She?Just stood there.Life was happening around her, she ceased to be a part of it.“I’d like you to accompany her over there.Do the introductions, ease the transition.”
“Really?”Terra asked, all glee.“Oh, that’s amazing!I had no idea you were leaving him.Cam and I already know each other.He’s great.We’re great.”
Cam.Her lip curled, internally if not in her expression.Yeah, Terra and Cam knew each other.Way more than she was comfortable with.
“No.”
“It won’t take long,” Allan said.“If they already know each other, I suppose—do you get along?”
“No,” Ariella said again before Terra could reply to their boss.“It’s a flat no.”
“Have you and Mr.Collier had a falling out?”Allan asked.“You think your presence will disadvantage—”
“No, Terra will not ‘assume my role’ with Mr.Collier,” she said, as sure of this as anything.“There’s no way it will work.”
“Give Terra a chance,” Allan said, polite in his smile.“She may surprise you.She’s personable, polite, if he’s acknowledged now that he does need help, what’s the harm?You can transfer your duties to her, get her up to speed with—”
“Cam will laugh,” she said.“I swear to God, he’ll laugh her out of there so fast.”
“Why?”Terra asked.“Why would he do that?He was nice to me at the party.”
