Page 23 of Heartless As Puck

He looked out the side window. “I hope you didn’t open the door for him.”

My breath caught. “No! Why would I do that?”

He shrugged. “He has a way of getting into people’s heads. He’s trying to get into mine, and he’s probably hoping to use you to do it.”

We’d been crawling forward, but I jammed on the brakes, ignoring it when someone behind me honked their horn.

“I’m smart enough not to fall for his ploys,” I said.

The whites showed in his eyes. “Jesus, Jane. Don’t stop in the middle of the road.”

“Ugh.” I dragged my hands down my face. “Sorry. Just have some faith in me. Please?”

I’d been a trustworthy assistant. Why would I start letting him down now?

SEVEN

AUSTIN

Damn.

I hadn’t meant to make Jane think I doubted her. Especially not when she’d always been so consistent and I was the one messing with our usual dynamic.

I knew Jane wasn’t the type to be swayed by someone like Dad, although it was possible she’d be intimidated by him. He could be a scary guy when he wanted to be.

“I’m sorry.” I leaned forward and reached for her hand. It was small compared to mine, and to my surprise, she didn’t shy away from the touch. “Jane, I didn’t mean anything by it. Of course I have faith in you. He just gets to me like no one else, and I was worried.”

Someone behind me pressed their horn and held it, letting me know how much they appreciated the holdup.

Shit.

I jerked my hand away. Jane checked the mirrors and slowly released the brake, exhaling roughly as she rejoined the flow of traffic. “I wouldn’t fall for something like that.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” I wanted to meet her gaze, but she kept her eyes firmly on the road, which, if I’m honest, was probably for the best. “I’m not rational when it comes to him.”

“I get that.”

It wasn’t an acceptance of my apology, but at least she didn’t seem inclined to escalate the tense conversation into an argument. I’d already owed her an apology. I didn’t want to do or say anything to owe her yet another.

I kept my mouth shut for the rest of the drive home, sneaking glances at her out of the corner of my eye, hoping her attitude toward me might soften. I understood her mood, though. Dad could be exhausting to deal with, especially when he tried to charm and manipulate, and then I’d put my foot in it.

As we pulled into the garage, I wondered if I should say something to try to defuse the tension between us, but I had no idea what to say.

In the end, the choice was taken from me.

Jane looked over, something unreadable in her expression. The worst of her earlier irritation had dissipated, but I wasn’t convinced that the hints of sadness and resignation I caught glimpses of in her eyes were any better.

She unclipped her belt. “I’ve worked for you for six months. That’s longer than any of your other assistants.”

I nodded mutely. I was less likely to upset her further if I didn’t interrupt.

“I never understood why you had a hard time holding onto your employees. Sure, you’re an exacting boss, but I’ve always admired the fact that you hold yourself to the same standards you hold others to.”

I nodded again, still clueless as to where she was going with this.

“Some people need a lot of praise, and that’s not me, but you n-n…” She trailed off, sucked in a ragged breath, and visibly steadied herself. “The point is, I’m g-good at my job and part of that is keeping away people you don’t want contact with. I haven’t failed you before and I won’t now.”

“I believe you.” As if I’d dare to disagree. Yes, I was the boss, but I’d fucked up, and I didn’t want to lose the best assistant I’d ever had because I’d gotten caught up in my head about my wannabe-controlling father.