He dismisses her, but she doesn’t move.
“Maya.”
“No, I quit,” she says, shrugging her shoulders.
“It’s been less than a week, Maya. You can’t quit.”
“Well, I did, so give me access to the money again.” He sighs and stares at her, annoyance written all over his face. I know that look; my sisters give it to me when I annoy them.
“That’s not happening. I’m not playing around, Maya.”
“Are you interested in that trashy-looking reporter at the door? You can see what she’s wearing, right? She’s only after you for your money.”
Surely, she isn’t talking about me.
Well, I suppose that’s the polite way of saying no to the interview.I’m not invested in Soren. Sure, the man knows how to use his tongue, but we’ve forgotten about that and moved past it like it never happened.
Soren’s eyes don’t leave his sister as he cuts her down. “Mind your fucking words in my office, Maya.”
Maya stands from her chair and leans over the desk. “You’re going to protect her over me?” she accuses.
I have no idea what she’s talking about.
What would Soren be protecting me from?
“No. I’ve told you and warned you, and you continue to not listen,” he replies.
She straightens, and her hand lands on her hip. “You can’t give up on me, Soren. We only have each other,” she states. Then she turns and walks past me, lifting her nose in the air as she goes. All I can do is stand rooted to the spot, wondering about the strange conversation I just witnessed. When I finally turn to face Soren, I find him sitting in his expensive executive chair, watching me as he taps a pen on the desk.
“You’re on time,” he notes.
“I am,” I reply. “Do I call you ‘boss’ now?” I keep my gaze on him as I take a seat.
“I prefer,sir.” His piercing gray eyes don’t waver, full of challenge. “But if ‘boss’ makes it easier for you. I won’t argue.” His lips twitch ever so slightly when he says it. “I actually called you here to fire you.”
At first, I think I didn’t hear him correctly. My brain just refuses to process it. But then he repeats it, and sure enough, I’m fucking fired. The word slams into me like a well-timed slap. Heat rushes to my face. Humiliation, hurt, and disbelief all tangled into one breathless second. I should say something.Fight back. But for one terrifying heartbeat, all I can do is stand there, stunned.
Was this his game plan all along?
To fuck with me?
Yes, he was my story, but I haven’t done anything to hurt his business. I only seek the truth.
“How dare you?—”
“And promote you,” he says, not letting me finish. “I’ve read your articles. You’re a fantastic writer.”
For a second, I stare at him, my brain trying to catch up.
Promote. Not fire. Not ruin.
The pressure in my chest releases so fast I nearly sway.
“Thank you…” I manage, still stunned. “I think.”
“I recognize talent when I see it, Miss Knight.” There he is again, using my last name like that.
“Can you stop calling me that? It’s Noah’s family name.”
