Page 47 of One Big Little Secret

“You’re my boss, not my chaperone. Hands off,” she snaps, shaking her head until her dark hair flops. I smell something like cinnamon drifting off her. “Are you that angry? That I went to see the nicer brother?”

The nicer brother?

The guy whose idea of a lively Friday night is watching CNBC and taking his kid bowling once in a blue moon?

Fuck!

No one who knows anything about Archer Rory considershimthe nice one. He’s the sensible one, the boring one, the restrained one. The petrified piece of wood you trot out when you want to intimidate someone like you’re holding a club.

Shit, if there was a ‘nice guy’ competition, he’d lose the game by a mile.

My nostrils flare.

“I’m not angry,” I lie. “I just didn’t expect you to be here, that’s all.”

“Uh-huh. I figured if I was going to be a real part of this organization, I needed to know everyone I’ll be working with. Not just my ‘mentor.’”

The sharpness in her voice could poke a man’s eye out.

“You won’t be working with Archer much. Not directly,” I bite off. “The Cardinal’s launch and daily operations are my responsibility.”

She glares at me with eyes that hold the same intrigue Archer’s did, although her gaze is less friendly.

I guess a few days apart haven’t stopped her from wishing I’d drop dead.

“You took me around to see your other properties my first week here,” she says. “Doesn’t it make sense I should meet your brothers, too?”

It does make sense, I’m sorry to say.

Usually, it wouldn’t bother me, but Archer has never been theniceone. Not when I’m around.

Hell, even when I’m not.

“Look, you’ve got this wrong. I said I wasn’t mad,” I say through gritted teeth.

Amazing. I’ve only known her for a few weeks, but I seem to be talking through my teeth every time we’re together. She’s definitely winning at keeping her tongue in check.

Shit.

What happened to the fun, carefree girl I met what feels like a lifetime ago?

Has life ground her down that much?

“You say one thing, but your face says another.” We finally reach the reception desk before she turns to face me. “I can find my way out from here, Mr. Rory.”

“Salem, I expect you in this office nice and early tomorrow. Butt in the chair. We have some issues to discuss,” I say, knowing she’s been early every day this week, and just ordering her to be on time makes me a king-sized asshole.

There’s derision in her face as she lifts her chin.

“Okay, bossman. Thanks for the advice. Ciao.” Her voice drips sarcasm as she stalks away, her hair swinging behind her.

For God’s sake, you prick.

Archer waits in his office when I return, glowering at his computer screen. Even though he doesn’t say one word, I know exactly what he’s thinking.

“Don’t go there,” I say, throwing myself into the seat.

“She’s pretty.” He looks at me.

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