Audrey leaned against the closed door, the autumn breeze ruffling her hair. The streetlight highlighted the creases around her eyes and the serious glint in them. “If you take this on, if you get in front of a camera, you’re going to bring on some big attention. Black Pinnacle has resources we can’t imagine, and they’ll come at you. Are you ready for this fight?” Audreystill had that faraway look in her eyes. “I think it’s going to get messy.”
River stared down the street, trying to see it as Marina did. But all she saw was home. “I’m ready,” she said quietly. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Hopefully it wouldn’t take anything she wasn’t ready to give.
CHAPTER 13
“For the sakeof all the fucks on the planet.” Marina glared at the paralegal’s back as she scampered away. “How do you mix up files on two totally different cases?”
Yvonne sat on the couch opposite Marina’s desk, flipping through said files and scanning every document, then placing it in the correct one. “She’s young and still learning.”
“I have a feeling you wouldn’t have made those mistakes at that age.” Marina flung a pencil at the window. It wasn’t nearly as satisfying as a stapler, but it meant she wouldn’t get an email telling her to stop breaking things either.
“I’m sure I did.” She glanced up at Marina, her expression implacable. “Didn’t you?”
Marina snorted and went back to reading the research someone else had left on her desk. “I wouldn’t be sitting in this chair if I had.” She didn’t need to say out loud that when she had made the occasional mistake, she’d quickly rectified it before anyone else found out. At least she hadn’t been sloppy.
She looked up when Rob tapped on the door.
“Lunch?” He gave Yvonne a little wave, and she barely acknowledged him.
“Yeah. I need a minute.” She shrugged on her jacket. The days had suddenly turned cooler, and she liked the feel of the thick wool around her. “Would you like us to bring anything back for you?” she asked Yvonne as she walked past. There was no question of extending the invite to join them. One didn’t hang out with one’s subordinates.
“No, thank you.” She continued sorting through the files.
Marina and Rob walked side by side through the office to the elevator, and once in it, he whistled and put his hand to his chest.
“You finally found an assistant made of stone. I don’t know how you can stand her monotone…everything. I bet you could take a photograph of her, and it would turn out black and white without a filter.”
Marina relaxed a little as the cool autumn air hit her. “She doesn’t waste time giving me details about her last date or what her rug rats are up to. I like it that way. Mostly.” At the look he gave her, she sighed. “Okay, a tiny bit of extra personality would be fine, but she’s efficient and that’s what I really need.”
They headed to the Dearborn and managed to snag a booth. They ordered, and were served, quickly. The Dearborn catered to plenty of business people who had limited time for lunch and expected to get in and get out and still get excellent food. Unfair standards, perhaps, but Marina didn’t overly care. Her fish and chips were incredible, and Rob’s mezze platter was beautiful to look at, let alone eat.
“So, how goes life under the spiked heel of Sheila Black?” he asked, dipping a piece of pita into his hummus. “Has she tied you down and made you recite every one of her good qualities yet?”
Marina winced. “Not far from it.” She told him about Sheila’s assertion that they would, at some point, be together. “Honestly, she’s awful. I’m not sure how I’m going to douse the flameshe’s carrying for me.” She grinned and pointed a fry at him. “Especially when I’m so damn good at my job and irresistible overall.”
He laughed and tapped his pita to her fry. “You are that, my dear. Now tell me why you’re limping and wearing shoes meant only for walking to and from the L.”
She groaned and speared a piece of fish with far more vehemence than the battered thing deserved. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Oh, but now you have to. You only turn that shade when something has pissed you off or embarrassed you.” He smiled at the cute young waiter who slowed as he passed their table, though there was no reason to. “I like my gray fox era.”
“You like any era that has guys making eyes like that at you.” She hoped it would prove a distraction, but he refocused on her, his eyebrows raised. “I fell. That’s all.” She shrugged like it was nothing. Two days later and her ankle still hurt. It was also still swollen and discolored. The fact that River had left her to fend for herself when she was clearly injured still rankled, and she’d found some satisfaction in putting down the number for the offer.
“Spill. You’re a terrible liar.”
She threw a fry at him, and he swatted it away before it could place a grease stain on his suit. “Fine. But if you choke on your food while laughing at me, I won’t let anyone try to save you.”
She proceeded to give him a rundown, and he stared at her before laughing so loud several people looked over.
“Oh my god. I keep thinking it won’t get worse, and then it does.” He leaned forward. “Do you think she’s cursed you?” he whispered, his eyes wide and a smirk on his lips.
“I don’t doubt that she would if she could.” Marina looked at the others in the restaurant going about their day. “Her business partner, Audrey, says she can read people’s minds.”
He grunted. “I don’t ever want her in my head.”
“I’d feel sorry for her if she ever got in your head.” She grinned when he gave her a look. “I don’t believe in that stuff, but I have to admit, she pretty much nailed what I was thinking a couple times.” She shrugged. “She must have learned to read people’s body language and expressions in order to be convincing.”
