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Kira’s eyes bounce between us, making sure we’re both done before finally saying, “That’s a relief. It’s half the reason I applied for the position.” Then, with a little more hesitation says, “I should also mention I have a dog… I hope that’s okay.”

“Of course. I love animals.” I scribble the address on my notepad and pass it back to her. “Here’s the address. It’ll be ready for you to move in by this evening.”

Sounding more serious than I’ve ever heard him, Guy leans over to Luka and whispers, “Do you think you could ask L.O.K.I. to find me an assistant?”

CHAPTER EIGHT

Kira

“No way. You’re telling me Roman Kingsley is Lord Munch!? And your new boss?” Greer’s voice echoes through my car speakers in a decibel so shrill it makes my ears ring. “You lucky bitch.”

I wince, sticking a finger in my ear to stop the ringing. “Lord Munch? Where do you come up with this shit?”

“Seems fitting based on the description you gave of him… Why, is Lord not a high enough title? I thought King Munch sounded too much like a cereal.”

I wanted to tell Greer and the kids goodbye in person, but they’ll be tied up with soccer practice for the rest of the evening, then rushing to finish homework between the finicky shower rotation.

I figured it’d be easier to leave while they’re out of the house, especially considering how attached they’ve gotten to Matilda. Besides, it’s not like I’m leaving town. I’ll see them on the weekends.

“I don’t know if any of those words have ever been used in a sentence before now. It’s fascinating how your brain is just horny and a mom in a trench coat.”

“What can I say, a girl’s got layers. Do you think he recognized you?”

“Thankfully no. He didn’t seem to. He actually thought I was there for a collab he’d forgotten about. It was pretty cute, honestly…” My words trail off as my mind replays his reaction to seeing me, the way he was so worried about making sure I was taken care of while trying to act like he knew what was going on. It was so endearing and only made me like him more. As soon as the thought enters my mind, I stomp it out like a cigarette.

My life is complicated enough with everything going on behind the scenes with Augustus. I don’t need to make things any more difficult for myself. I just need to stick to the plan and not make any more waves.

“Which is the only reason I’m still going through with this crazy idea,” I add, to punctuate my point.

“I still can’t believe you’re going to be someone’s assistant.”

“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means…you’re the most scatter-brained person I know… respectfully.”

“Sure, it’s out of my comfort zone, but that’s the point. At least I think that’s the point.” I think back to the rules that I still don’t quite understand. I’m pretty sure Marguerite’s making it up as she goes.

“What if you accidentally screw something up and cost them millions?”

I consider this very real possibility. It’s not like I have the best track record with attention to detail—which is the reason for most of the problems in my life… “I’m sure they’re not going to give me anything that important. It’s not like I walked in there lying… About my experience at least.”

“Do you think you’re going to fuck him again?” She fires right back, completely missing the obvious lines I’m trying to draw with this conversation.

“Jesus, Greer, aren’t you watching soccer practice right now?”

“I thought we already established I’m capable of multitasking. Besides, all the other moms are sitting together on the other end of the field…” She says the last part like it’s an afterthought, like it’s just a common occurrence she’s gotten used to.

The casual mention of her being left out makes my skin grow hot, irritation settling over me like a rash. My grip on the steering wheel grows tight, and suddenly I feel like driving to the soccer fields and punching every one of those cunt moms right in their Botoxed faces.

Blinking away the erratic thought, I shake my head.

Whoa…where the hell did that come from?

Since when am I critical of women getting work done? As if I didn’t just get my routine thirty-six units done before I left town.

Jeez, maybe I really do need anger management…

It’s one thing to come for me. Hell, that’s part of my job. But it’s another thing entirely to come for my sister.