Page 11 of My Forbidden Boss

“Where do you come from where you don’t think to bring a coat to New York in January?” I ask. Can’t remember the last time I cared where an employee came from either. They come from across the globe if they’re lucky to work for Blue Sky.

“Moss Creek.” Her eyes become shuttered. A blink and the shadows are gone. She looks at her feet, shoulders drooping and I wonder why she came to New York from a hole-in-the-wall town.

Moss Creek sounds familiar. The name is on the tip of my tongue.

“It’s not just me. People often forget coats there,” she says before I can ask about the town. “It’s a thing.”

The corners of my mouth quirk. “What about shoes? I sincerely hope they don’t run around barefoot as well as coatless.”

“They’ve taken to the modern invention of wearing sneakers, but it’s flip-flops for most. Laces are too complicated for some.” Her blue eyes shine. Intelligence and fire. Lethal. Her lips wobble, as though she’s trying for a smile.

I want to see her smile. I want to see her face lit up with fireworks.

There is an irrational urge to laugh when Max Bourke melts from the crowd and I curse under my breath, hating how the lightness evaporates in my chest and a heavy hand replaces it.

If I’d known this asshole was heading my way, I would have walked in the opposite direction, but his gaze is trained on Adeline and I step in a way that blocks Max from sliding up to her.

“Bourke,” I spit out.

His gaze never leaves Adeline. She’s stiffened at my side. Eyes wide, pale skin, pupils blown as she stares at a man who makes my skin crawl. Good to see we’re on the same wavelength when it comes to a man like Bourke. As many above-board deals he has going on, I know there’s three times as many dubious deals going on. I’ve missed out on lucrative contracts because he’s paid someone under the table, and it doesn’t stop there. The man’s cunning, ruthless and leaves a sour taste in my mouth whenever I’m unlucky enough to have to talk to him.

I push my shoulder into his line of sight and off Adeline. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”

His eyes wrench from my PA to me, flat and dark. “It pays to come to these events every so often. See who’s about.”

It’s the reason I’m here. I’d be chatting to people who can put in a good word with the right people if I hadn’t been sidelined by my latest employee.

Side-lined? More like obliterated.

“And who specifically are you here to see?” I prod. There’s all manner of politicians, old money and deals here tonight. I hope he wasn’t waiting for Jamie Taylor. Once Bourke gets into an ear, it’s hard to get him out and Taylor’s deal is one I want for Blue Sky. I’ve skimmed the proposal and it’s solid.

Bourke’s eyes stray to Adeline and a frown clenches my brow. She’s been still and quiet. Blending into the background as much as a dress like that will allow. His eyes gleam with greed as he rakes her in, toe to head. “Tonight has reaped some unexpected benefits.”

I step to Bourke, almost touching him chest to chest. “Keep your eyes to yourself. My employees are off limits.”

Bourke’s lips draw tight. His face flashes with satisfaction. “Employee, hey. Good luck with that.”

My fingers curl into a fist that needs to find his face when he walks back through the crowd. It doesn’t matter I haven’t seen Taylor or warmed up anyone else in the crowd, all I see are glances in our direction — Adeline’s direction. I’m in a sea of sharks and Adeline is meat raw and bloody.

I grab her elbow, needing to remove her from anywhere near Bourke. “Come on. We’re going.”

“But what about…?” she gasps.

“We’re done here. I’ll phone anyone I care to talk to tomorrow,” I say, practically dragging her through the mingling crowd. I will be making calls and Tristan will be my first. As my best friend for decades, I trust him completely. There’s a reason Bourke is here tonight and a reason he sought me out.

I’m making a scene, but the need to get away is bigger than the need to keep up appearances.

I’m good at appearing to belong with people like these. I’ve perfected the clothes, the words, the smiles and nods that keep them appeased, keep them comfortable, but deep down? I don’t fit in. If they knew where I’d come from. What I’d done to get where I am, I wouldn’t be invited. I wouldn’t have a business. I’d be nothing and I’m never going to be nothing again.

The truth is, I’m like Bourke.

As ruthless as Bourke is, I’m ten times worse. A soul recognizes like.

I’m just better at hiding it.

“Did I do something wrong?” Adeline asks.

She did nothing wrong. She was perfect. Which is why I have to get her away. “It’s getting late and I need my employee well rested. We have a busy day at work tomorrow.”

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