Page 16 of Anything To Be With You

A cackle comes from the other end. "Ha ha! Figured it out," Dani laughs.

"Yes, you did." I fight a smirk, she sounds so proud. It's cute.

"Don’t sound too excited for me or anything, Archer," she barks.

I like how she calls me by my last name. However, she can never know that. "Mr. Archer, Daniella. I shouldn’t have to tell you twice."

A mocking whisper comes through the phone.

"Is there a reason you called?" I ask.

She huffs into the receiver. "Carrie is teaching me the phone system. Wanted me to try calling into your office."

"Well, good for you then. Is there anything else?"

She curses me under her breath. "No, your Majesty," Dani mumbles and slams the receiver down.

If Dani keeps this up, she’ll have my walls in a pile of dust by the end of the day. She’s chaos and wild. I’m order and control. I close my eyes and exhale. Getting through today is going to take all my energy.

My phone dings with a text.

CeCe: You're being a dick. Knock it off, it's her first day.

I scrub a hand through my hair. I have been a dick towards Dani and she's done nothing to deserve it. I get back to work on the Miller case and try to ignore the fact that Carrie is right.

A knock comes on my door. "It’s open," I call.

Carrie walks in, shutting the door behind her. "Go easy on her. And stop being a dick," Carrie says.

I sigh and rub my face. "Yeah, I got your text."

Carrie taps her high-heeled foot on the floor. "Then why are you?"

"I have to remain in control."

Carrie snorts in disbelief. "That’s a load of shit."

"You know what happened last time I lost control with a woman." I seethe. "I’m not going through another Sarah situation."

"Dani is not Sarah. Not every woman is like Sarah," Carrie bites out. "Do you want to know what Dani said about you?"

I know it’s not going to be anything pleasant. "What?"

Carrie grins. "She said you wouldn’t be such a dick if you played with yours more often."

"I’ll remember that," I mumble.

Carrie throws up her hands and walks out, slamming the door behind her. I get back to work, preparing the divorce papers for when Pierre Miller come in. The phone on my desk rings again. "Lucas Archer."

"Your nine o’clock is here. Shall I show him in?" Dani says, sounding like a totally different person.

"Please." I hang up and watch at the door.

A knock comes and the door opens. "Pierre Miller, Mr. Archer." Dani smiles sweetly but her eyes are throwing daggers at me. She opens the door wider inviting Pierre inside.

"Would you like any coffee, tea, water?" Dani asks, standing in the doorway, as he sit down.

"No, thank you." Pierre says.

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