Page 41 of Cruel Fate

She starts talking about my day. Harper must have told Cramer’s assistant to include Stella in my scheduling—she runs through all my meetings that he’ll be attending.

“Cancel the lunch. Ash and I have plans. Reschedule, please.”

Stella nods. The task doesn’t make her panic, and I’m glad. I think after a little adjustment period, she’ll fit right in.

It wasn’t Harper’s job to train her, but Denton’s assistant stepped up and I write a mental note to add an extra bonus to her holiday pay. Nothing goes unnoticed at Maddox Industries. The first thing my dad taught me was to value our employees. If they feel needed and appreciated, they would always go the extra mile.

Stella emailed me the party’s details, and she attached the event’s program and guest list. The evening already feels like a drag, and the timetable, from the moment I’m expected to arrive to the moment I’m allowed to leave, hits home how long I’ll be required to mingle and accept everyone’s condolences and congratulations. The guest list is longer than my arm, but that’s nothing more than what I expected.

At the bottom of the email, Stella added a short paragraph about potential speakers. Ash’s father, Clayton, is a good choice, and I’ll ask Ash about it at lunch.

I check my schedule, and Stella already inserted the party and press conference into the calendar. She and Zarah worked hard last night. With Zarah in charge and Stella helping her, the night will go off without a hitch.

“Mr. Denton is waiting for you, Mr. Maddox.” Through the intercom, Stella’s voice fills my office.

I’ve been grumping over the party for too long.

I text her.I’m looking fwd to 2nite.

She doesn’t respond, but when I pass her desk on my way to Denton’s office and lay my hand next to hers, she flutters her fingers over mine.

Yes.

Promoting her to be my assistant has been my best idea yet.

Ash doesn’t think so, and he tears into me the minute I sit down.

“Can’t I get a drink first?” I’ve never known Ash to be a snob, but then, a situation has never presented itself, at least, not when it comes to my personal life.

“I just don’t understand what you think you’re doing. Did you look into this girl? Did you do a background check? I saw the way she was dressed at the club. How much do you want to bet that was her only good dress? Zane, you can do better.”

I knock back my whiskey and nod at the bartender for another. The waitress can feel the tension and serves it to me without making eye contact. She hurries to the other side of the room.

Ash leans back in his chair and waits me out. He won’t leave it alone.

I sip at my drink and then push the glass away. What can I tell him that he’ll understand? Rubbing my face, I go for the truth. “She makes me feel safe.”

I tense, waiting for Ash’s dismissive snort, but he sags and pinches the bridge of his nose. “Shit,” he mutters.

“She’s not after my money. I was the one who promoted her. After our night at the club, she would have been perfectly happy saying goodbye, going home, and never talking to me again. In fact, she was set to do it, but Zarah asked her to spend the night. I found my way into her bed, not the other way around.”

At this, Ashdoesscoff. I’ve just proven him right as far as he’s concerned.

“Then itisabout money.”

It would be like Ash to think sex and money are the same thing, and maybe in our circles they can be. Pay for it, sell it.Accusing Stella of selling her body for what she can get from me in return.

Except, he doesn’t know her like I do. She doesn’t want the power that comes with dating me, and she was doing fine before we met. She was supporting herself, going to school. Doing more with her life on little more than minimum wage than Zarah has having all her advantages.

I can’t explain that to Ash who uses the position his father gave him in every way he can, and it would sound stupid coming out of my mouth, a young man who’s struggling to follow in his father’s footsteps. Ash and I have no idea how to make it on our own.

“It’s not about money. Or sex. I had a nightmare, and she calmed me down. I haven’t slept that well since my parents passed away.”

Ash sips his drink. I don’t know what it is. Something older than God, probably.

“And you had to promote her?” he asks skeptically.

I hate that I sound like I’m defending myself. “I don’t see her all the time. I’m in meetings every second, and she’s had plans the last couple of nights.”

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