Page 12 of Guarded King

I inhale deeply and lower my voice. “You know as well as I do exactly how it’ll look.”

When I’m met with nothing but silence, the tension in my shoulders eases. I’ve finally gotten through to them.

Then Cole speaks again. “You’re not Dad.”

A familiar weight presses against my sternum. Our damn father. He always made sure there was a beautiful and obliging woman within reach. From our nannies to the housemaids to his personal assistants?—

I cut off that train of thought. I’ve put his actions well and truly behind me. Though I can’t say the same for our social circle, our business partners, or the damn media.

“And I’ve been very careful to conduct myself in a way that ensures our investors and shareholders are confident of that.”

“So let me get this straight,” Tate says slowly. “You’re worried about hiring this woman because you assume people will think you’re like Dad?”

I rub my forehead. “You know they will. And we can’t afford the scrutiny.”

Cole scoffs. “We can afford plenty.”

They don’t get it. They’re drunk on love—or whatever chemical cocktail is swirling around in their brains, changing their priorities. I don’t begrudge them that—hell, it’s what I thought I wanted a long time ago—but it means I’m the one who has to keep my focus on the future. “We’ve spent the last three years doing damage control. We have a chance to solidify the King Group’s status going forward. The last thing we need is Dad and his reputation hindering us from behind bars.”

“What was it you told me about not living in Dad’s shadow?” Tate asks.

I should have known he’d throw that advice back in my face.

“I’m not concerned about my personal life. I have everything I want. It’s the company I’m thinking about. When people see me, they can’t help but be reminded of him, and the last thing we need is fodder to fuel rumors or assumptions. If it doesn’t makethem think I tolerate the same kind of behavior, it’ll give them more damn ammunition to want to see us fail.”

“Then prove them wrong,” Cole says. “Dad’s dalliances were common knowledge because he never bothered to hide them. Hell, everyone knows he was supporting at least three mistresses when he went to prison. Don’t penalize this poor girl for his actions. Her age and looks shouldn’t have any bearing on her employment. If she can’t perform, replace her. But if she can, keep her and maintain the same professional relationship you’ve had with your previous assistants. Whatever people’s initial thoughts might be, it’s how you behave around her that will change their perception.”

I rake my fingers through my hair. Since neither of my brothers seems inclined to agree with me, I try another angle. “She’ll be a target for every lecherous asshole we do business with.”

Cole snorts. “I’m sure she knows how to handle herself.”

“And who better to protect her from the advances of said lecherous assholes than you?” Tate chimes in. “If you let her go, she’ll need another job. What are the chances she’ll end up working for one of them?”

A knot of unease lodges in my throat at the image that forms in my mind. An image of her. With that silky blond hair, more moonlight than sunshine, bee-stung lips, and those arresting blue-green eyes—the men I deal with would salivate at the thought of having her at their beck and call.

Tension grips my shoulders again, and I have to shrug to release it.

Tate might be right. But am I prepared to take her on? If I do, I’ll have to be even more professional than I was with Lena. Make sure there are absolutely zero signs of impropriety between us.

“She’ll still need to prove herself.” I sound begrudging, even to my own ears.

“That goes without saying,” Cole says, a thread of amusement in his voice that I don’t bother asking him to explain.

“Now that you’ve finished questioning my employment decisions,” I say. “Can we discuss our plans going forward?” I want to put all thoughts of Chloe Callahan out of my mind for now.

We quickly fall into a conversation about the construction schedule for Genesis-1—our latest luxury high-rise development—before moving on to our plans surrounding EcoTech, in preparation for my meeting with our executive team this morning on the proposed acquisition.

But despite my resolve to put Chloe out of my mind, she keeps slipping in at random moments. I can’t decide whether I’m hoping she fails spectacularly so I can send her on her way or that she proves herself capable so I can keep her away from men like my father.

CHAPTER SIX

CHLOE

My body sags as the door closes behind Roman, but a heartbeat later, panic kicks in. Why did I tell him I’d prove myself? I have no idea how I’m going to do that on my first day, especially when I’ve barely logged in to my computer.

“Um,” Sophie says, wide-eyed. “I’m so sorry about that. I don’t know why he…” She shakes her head. “What do you want to do now?”

With my lip caught between my teeth, I survey the space, hoping for some inspiration. Unfortunately, nothing jumps out at me. How the hell am I supposed to impress a man like Roman King? Because he’s right—I’ve never operated at his level before, and it’s unlikely the software and tools they use here are the same ones I used at Talon.

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