Page 8 of Grumpy Alien Boss

"Crystal clear, Mr. Rook, Sir." I snap off a crisp military salute, ice dripping from every syllable. "Shall I flagellate myself for failing to answer properly?"

The temperature in the room drops ten degrees. Mr. Rook's massive frame seems to expand, filling the space between us until I'm drowning in his shadow. His nostrils flare, and those strange red-brown eyes narrow to dangerous slits.

"I'm sorry, Ms. McGee." The way he bites off my name makes my stomach clench. "But what did you just say to me?"

For a split second, my courage wavers. He towers over me like an angry god, all barely contained power and fury. But I didn't get where I am by backing down when things got tough.

"If V Truth files are off limits to me, I understand that...now." I lift my chin, meeting that burning gaze. "But the fact that I did not before is your failure, not mine, Mr. Rook. I will follow your instructions to the letter. Just like I have from the moment you hired me. But like I told you the first day we met, I'll never lie to you and always speak my mind. And in my opinion, you didn't have to snap at me."

My heart hammers as I watch the emotions play across Mr. Rook's face. First comes the shock - his eyes widening just a fraction, jaw tensing. No one must stand up to him like this. Then anger floods back, his massive frame seeming to grow even larger.

But something shifts in those strange red-brown eyes. The fury melts into... curiosity? His gaze rakes over me.

When his face finally cracks into that devastating grin, my knees go weak. The smile transforms his whole face, softening the sharp angles into something almost playful.

"You're right, Ms. McGee. There was no need for me to be rude in order to impress upon you the importance of this matter." His voice wraps around me like warm silk. "I apologize for not properly training you. Normally, I'm quite good at the administration of training and discipline."

Oh God. The way he says "discipline" sends a shiver straight down my spine. My mind races to very inappropriate places involving his massive hands and - No. Bad Livvy. He's your boss.

But my mouth has other ideas.

"Don't threaten me with a good time," I blurt out.

The words hang in the air between us. My face flames hot enough to melt steel. Did I actually just say that? To Darwin freaking Rook?

His deep laugh rolls through the office like thunder, making my toes curl inside my shoes. Mr. Rook moves behind his desk with fluid grace that seems impossible for someone his size.

"I do so look forward to our interactions, Ms. McGee. Sometimes I regret that..."

The words trail off, and something flickers across his face. His jaw tightens, those strange red-brown eyes darting away from mine. It's the first time I've ever seen him look uncertain about anything.

"You regret what?" The question slips out before I can stop myself.

"Nothing." His voice turns crisp and professional. "At least, with regards to my hiring you. Now, the Fiscal Auditor at my Hong Kong holdings has to have surgery tomorrow, so YOU will be handling the accounts until the middle of next week..."

My shoulders slump as he launches into a detailed explanation of Hong Kong's financial protocols. Classic deflection tactic - bury me in work so I'll forget what just happened.

And it's working. My tablet fills with notes as he outlines exactly what he needs from me. But beneath my professional exterior, questions burn like embers. What was he about to say? What does he regret?

Not that I can ask. When Darwin Rook changes the subject, that subject stays changed. Still, I file this moment away with all the other little mysteries about my enigmatic boss - like that strange red scale I found in his bathroom.

CHAPTER 4

DAR

The rotors whirl to life as I climb into the cockpit. Another day, another performance for the cameras below. Let them think Darwin Rook's ego demands he pilot his own aircraft. The truth would shatter their fragile minds.

"Clear for takeoff, Mr. Rook," the tower controller says through my headset.

"Roger that."

The disguised shuttle lifts smoothly from the pad. Below, smartphones point skyward, capturing footage of the eccentric billionaire's departure. If they only knew this "helicopter" could outrun their fastest jets.

Banking east toward the Atlantic, I punch through a layer of cotton-white clouds. Perfect cover. My fingers dance across the holographic controls, activating the cloaking field. The rotor sound fades to silence as the craft's true form emerges - sleek Vakutan engineering at its finest.

"Computer, plot course to Base Alpha."

The ocean stretches beneath me, an endless blue expanse concealing humanity's greatest secret. My thoughts drift to Olivia, to the file she discovered. To the way she stands up to me without fear. So much fire in such a small human.

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