She's carrying all her stress in her shoulders and neck—classic overachiever tension.
I know it well.
I used to carry it the same way.
"Audrey," I say quietly. "You're one of the best forensic auditors in the tri-state area. You've taken down three Fortune 500 CEOs and a hedge fund manager. You're smart. You're thorough. You're completely unfazed by powerful men who think they're above the law."
"But he'sdifferent," she says.
"How?"
"I don't know. There's something about him. Something that makes my brain go into fight-or-flight mode the moment he enters a room. Like he's not entirely human or something."
I smile against her shoulder blade.
Oh, Audrey.
If only you knew.
"Listen to me," I say, moving to her shoulders and really digging in. "I know a thing or two about stubborn, wealthy monsters. Trust me. You can handle him."
She lifts her head slightly.
"How do you know that?"
"Because I married one," I say simply.
Audrey goes completely still.
"Youwhat?"
"Not married. Bonded. It's complicated. The point is, I spent the first three months of knowing Cyprian absolutely convinced he was going to either kill me or fire me or both. He was cold. He was possessive. He was terrifying."
"And now?"
"Now he's still cold and possessive and terrifying," I say. "But he's also the best thing that ever happened to me. And the thing I learned is that men like that—powerful men, territorial men, men who treat their empires like personal treasure—they respond to confidence. They respond to someone who isn't intimidated by their money or their power or their reputation."
I work my fingers deeper into her trapezius.
She sighs.
"So what you're saying is I should just... not be scared?"
"I'm saying you should be scared," I correct. "But don't let him see it. Walk into that office like you own it. Ask your questions. Demand your answers. Don't apologize for doing your job."
"What if he fires me?"
"Then you find a new client," I say. "But I have a feeling he won't. I have a feeling he's going to be absolutely fascinated by you."
Audrey is quiet for a long moment.
Then: "You're weirdly confident about this."
"I'm weirdly confident about a lot of things now," I say. "Six months ago, I was eating ramen and dodging collection calls. Now I own a multi-million-dollar wellness clinic and I'm married to a gargoyle. Confidence is kind of my thing these days."
She laughs.
It's shaky, but it's genuine.
