Page 23 of Cruel Fate

“Enjoy yourself.”

“Thanks.” Stella turns and walks out the door. She doesn’t close it behind her, and I watch her ass twitch as she glides over the carpet to her desk.

Promoting her is the smartest thing I ever did.

She’s worth her weight in gold, and she cares about me.

That makes her priceless.

I drum my fingers on the conference table near Banks’ empty coffee mug. There were passengers on my parents’ plane who are unaccounted for. Missing because they’re dead? Or did they use the crash as a distraction to go underground? If I find out, maybe I can move the investigation along.

Money talks.

After the meeting, Denton, Cramer, and I hole up in Denton’s office. We order in dinner, and I don’t let them leave until nine that night.

Since my parents died, I feel like I finally accomplished something.

It’s a start.

CHAPTER NINE

Stella

Idon’t see him for the rest of the day, and I can’t ask when I’m allowed to leave.

Harper helped me enroll in some online classes that hadn’t been available when I worked in payroll. She showed me the interoffice education system I can log into whenever I want, even if I’m at home, all I need is my employee number. The classes range from spreadsheets to public speaking, and they’re all free. My mind spins with the possibilities.

I’m already trying to squeeze in more accounting classes through an online university, but the lessons Maddox Industries offers are split up into bite-sized modules and if I follow the curriculum, by the end of the week I’ll be able to use the software my new Mac taunts me with.

That’s one hurdle down.

Harper glances at me on her way to the elevators and pauses at my desk. “Is Zane having you work on something?” she asks at half past five.

I shake my head.

“Then you can go. We never stay later than this unless they’ve asked us to help with a project.”

“I was waiting for Zane to give me the okay.”

“He’s meeting with Richard and Larry, so you don’t need to wait for him.” She pauses. “You did great today, Stella. You’re quick to learn, and I appreciate you jumping in with both feet.”

Gratefully, I shut down my computer for the evening. I didn’t have much to do with my day. Zane didn’t leave me a list, and I’m still feeling my way around the office. I guess the same holds true for him, too. We’ll take baby steps together.

I’m glad she doesn’t add that if Zane had hired a competent secretary, she would’ve been trained to do her job and wouldn’t be struggling like I am. “I want to make Zane proud of me.”

Avoiding Harper’s eyes, I look down at the shiny surface of my desk. It’s too close to the truth, and if I meet her gaze, she’s going to see my feelings written plainly across my face.

Chasing approval from a man so out of my league. I shouldn’t be setting myself up to fail.

Harper tilts her head and smiles. “You’ve made a good start. See you tomorrow.”

Dawdling, I gather my things. I’m still hoping Zane will at least tell me goodnight, but the floor feels empty and I finally force myself to put on my coat and go down to the lobby.

There are a few stragglers leaving, and I join them.

I walk across the marble, my thrift store heels clicking, and Zarah bursts through the revolving doors, strain pulling at the corners of her eyes, though she’s smiling.

“Stella!” she exclaims, dashing up to security, and I stop and wait for the guard who knows who she is to quickly wave her through.

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