Page 27 of Vicious Rule

It also means he hasn’t told me the entire truth about what he’s doing with the Olivetti family.

Furious he’s hiding something, I stand up to leave. “It’s obvious you still don’t really trust me. You know, your brother never threatened me. Not once. He knew I was loyal to him. Too bad you can’t figure that out too. You don’t have to worry about me telling your father anything. I doubt he’ll even stop to talk to me the entire time he’s here. Why should he? I’m just your secretary, right?”

“I’ve never called you my secretary,” he says flatly.

“How nice. You only treat me like I’m merely the person who handles your calls and pays the bills around here. If you want me, I’ll be in my office.”

He starts to say something, but I don’t care to stick around to hear it. I’m too disappointed in him. If I’m being honest, I’m disappointed in myself too. Alex isn’t living up to his promise, but I’m a fool for thinking he would.

Alex isn’t Gideon, and if I don’t get that through my head soon, this job is going to be nothing but misery for me.

Two hours later while I’m in the middle of handling a problem one of the guards had with his pay, a figure stops in front of my desk. I know who it is before I lift my head, but I’m surprised to see Helix Rule smiling like he’s happy to see me. He’s never been my biggest fan, probably because the son he doesn’t favor thinks the world of me.

“Good to see you again, Sasha. You look right at home here. Enjoying your new position?” he asks with a lilt to his voice when he says position.

Does he know about Alex and me? I know he hasn’t seen his son yet today, but maybe he told him about us?

That seems unlikely. While he may be closer to his father than Gideon is, I don’t see the two of them talking about who Alex is sleeping with. Then again, maybe he’s trying to keep his father’s attention off him by keeping him occupied thinking of us together.

“I am, thank you. Let me tell Alex you’re here.”

He waves away my offer and sits down in the chair beside my desk. “No need. You’re the person I want to speak to at the moment.”

Gone is that playful tone to his voice from a moment ago. Now he sounds deadly serious. But why would he be interested in talking to me?

“Oh?”

Helix studies my expression for a moment before he asks, “So tell me, how are you finding working for Alex? I’m sure it’s a big change from the hotel, but Gideon assures me if anyone can handle my oldest, you can.”

“I’m quite happy in my job. It’s not as fast-paced as my position at the hotel, but I’ve gotten used to the different pace.”

Nodding, he looks around my office. “Good to hear.”

We fall into an awkward silence as I wait for him to ask me more questions I sense are coming. He’s never been interested in me in any way, so I know this isn’t just Helix being polite.

After a minute or two, he says, “I need your help, Sasha.”

Sure he’s about to make me an offer I couldn’t afford to pass up if I want to keep breathing, I force a smile as my insides begin shaking in utter terror. “Oh, okay. What can I do for you?”

He stares at me so intently that his dark eyes feel like they’re boring holes in my head. I don’t know if he’s intentionally dragging this out or he’s unsure what he wants to say, but this pause is making my heart race. When a man like Helix Rule says he wants your help, the only answer is yes.

No matter what he wants.

While I wait for him to tell me what I’m to help him with, I can’t help but notice how similar he is to his older son. I don’t know why I’ve never noticed it, but the two of them look so much alike, especially around their mouths.

Finally, he says, “Gideon tells me he trusts no one more than you. I need that now.”

“I’m sure he means other than Aria, but thank you. I hope I’ve proven my loyalty to your family.”

That makes him laugh, and for a moment, I’m not terrified beyond belief. “Of course. I meant when it comes to business, he trusts no one more than you.”

“Okay, then thank you. Gideon was a wonderful person to work for. He made it very easy to be loyal.”

Helix nods, pursing his lips. “Alex and Gideon are very different people. Their mother reminds me of that all the time. Gideon is very serious, while Alex likes to enjoy himself. He’s more like his mother in that way. In fact, I’ve come to realize that my younger son is more like me in many ways.”

I don’t say a word to that, but if Helix Rule thinks Gideon is like him, he’s crazy. If anyone is like him, it’s Alex. They’re both men who love power and love using it to get what they want, even if it means hurting people. Maybe his younger son is more like him when it comes to being serious, but even there I’m not sure they compare.

“Gideon has never given me a moment’s doubt as to his ability to handle things when it comes to this family’s business.”

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