Page 20 of Cruel Fate

Zane hugs me from behind, holding me close to his hard chest. He whispers in my ear, “Please don’t be mad.”

I can’t be angry, not the way he asks, but my needs come first. “You know I need this job,” I say, trying to think of how I can describe how much I depend on my salary to someone who’s never had to worry about money.

He turns me so we face each other. He’s extremely handsome wearing a black suit and black and silver tie, but it’s the look in his eyes that steals my breath. Tender. Sensitive. He touches my cheek. “I know you do, and I know how you would feel if you thought our relationship got you this promotion. It did, kind of—”

“I don’t want to be accused of sleeping my way up the Maddox Industries ladder,” I bite out.

“Stella, will you let me explain?”

I cross my arms against my chest.

Zane paces, rubbing the back of his neck. “I need you here. You ground me.”

I want to scoff, but the pain shooting through his eyes stops me.

“This morning was rough. Getting ready for work, coming downstairs. Knowing I’d be working without my father. Knowing I’d have to make choices, give directions I’m not ready to give. And while I was knotting my tie, putting on my shoes, I thought, I can do this because Stella will be there. She’ll be my strength. And you are. I came out of that meeting, and it was like everything fell into place, seeing you sitting there.”

My throat burns. I had no idea he was thinking all that, but his voice rings true and I believe him.

“Please don’t be mad,” he murmurs. “Don’t be mad I need you.”

When he phrases it like that, it’d be stupid to be angry, but no matter how he feels, my security has to come before his. “If we don’t get along, or something happens...”

“You didn’t read the transfer packet HR sent you, did you?”

I shake my head. I didn’t have time.

“If, for any reason, your position is terminated, either by you or by us, your end-of-employment package includes a one million dollar severance payout. It doesn’t matter if you decide to work at a competing company. It doesn’t matter if you get caught embezzling. No one can deny you that severance pay.”

A million dollars. I would never have to work again, if I was very careful. But... “I don’t want you to think I’m in it for the money. I only want to be able to support myself, and this is hard for me, risking my financial security for you.”

“I know, that’s why I did it. No one else receives that big of a severance package. I knew you’d feel like this, and I wanted to take that risk away. I wanted you to be comfortable accepting this promotion. You’re one of the kindest, sincerest people I know. Give this a chance. Please.”

Zane fixed it so I can’t lose.

“Okay.”

He lets out a huge sigh, and he rests his forehead against mine. “Thank you.”

“I should be thankingyou,” I say.

“No need. Trust me, I’m getting a lot more out of this than you are.”

I don’t agree, but I don’t argue. “Then I guess I should get back to work.”

These first few months will feel awkward and strange. I’ll have to ask Harper about some training because there’s software on my computer I have no idea how to use.

“There’s something I need you to do first,” Zane asks.

I wait for him to tell me he wants a good fuck over his desk in exchange for promoting me.

Nothing ever comes free.

He loosens his tie and tips his head back. “I’ve asked the FBI to give me an update on my parents’ plane crash. It would mean a lot if you could sit in on the meeting with me.”

That’s the last thing I thought he would say, but I’m honored he asked and feel like shit I expected his worst behavior. I need to give him a chance, or I’ll be the one to sabotage this new position...and our relationship. “Of course I will.”

“Thank you. It’s hard for me to hear—” He stops abruptly, trying not to cry. He clears his throat, finding control. “It’s hard for me to hear they don’t have any new information, but we have to keep searching. I have to know what caused the crash.”

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