Page 60 of Nidev and Lyric

Lyric struggled not to think about how frumpy her attire was in comparison, waiting for Nidev to sit so she would know where to put herself.

“Nidev,” the woman greeted warmly, her voice smooth and self-assured. “It’s good to see you.”

“Mireille,” he greeted with a nod, his tone polite, even pleasant. “I appreciate you making time for this.”

“Of course.” Her smile was genuine, her gaze lingering on him in a way Lyric couldn’t help but notice. “I know how important this operation is. I’ve already started rearranging accommodations, but the numbers you’re expecting...”

“Will be substantial,” Nidev acknowledged, sitting in the chair exactly next to hers.

Lyric realized no further introductions would be happening and took the second chair behind him, giving them plenty of space.

“Which is why your help is critical. You’ve always handled logistics better than anyone else.”

Lyric wrote that down, wanting to at least look busy. The compliment was delivered so smoothly, so genuinely, that she couldn’t help being impressed. And surprised. She’d never beenaround him outside of school where he was with the other Kings who shared the same hard-ass personality twenty-four seven.

Mrs. Mireille’s eyes brightened. “Thank you. I try. But even with all our resources, this is going to be a challenge. Rooms can be prepared, but what about training? Supplies? You know I’ll do everything I can, but...”

“I understand.” Nidev’s tone softened, the edge of his usual commanding voice easing into something almost friendly. “If you need additional support, I’ll make sure you get it. Whatever it takes to make this work.”

Lyric jotted down parts of their sentences that seemed note-worthy while remembering her own assignment. Listening. But all she could hear was him, his voice, his everything. And now her, her voice, her everything.

“Thank you,” Mrs. Mireille replied, her smile deepening. “If you can sign off on the requisition requests, I’ll make sure things are set up before the first wave of students arrive.”

“I’ll handle the approvals personally.”

Their conversation continued, all smooth efficiency and mutual respect. Soon, there was nothing left in a business capacity to write. Unless he wanted notes about Mrs. Mireille’s voice being rich with admiration, and Nidev seeming to welcome it. He didn’t shut her down, he didn’t dismiss her. He treated her like a trusted ally, definitely not how he treated all the students.

She decided to write it, not wanting to be caught slacking on the job. Maybe he’d test her later about it. Maybe he wanted her to observe those things too.

“I’ve also been considering something else,” Mrs. Mireille said, her tone shifting.

Lyric flipped her page, hoping for something useful to write.

“If you’d like, I can also assist in training the new recruits. Especially the younger ones. The ones who may need more... guidance.”

Lyric picked up a weird stress on the wordguidance.She underlined the word and added a question mark next to it.

“That would be appreciated,” Nidev replied. “I’ll have the details sent to you by the end of the day.”

Send details by the end of the day. she wrote.

She laughed softly. “You never leave anything unfinished, do you?”

Lyric’s pen paused at her tone. She listened. That’s what he’d asked her to do.

“I try not to,” he said, shifting in his seat, his gaze flicking over her then returning to Mrs. Mireille. “Thank you for your help, Mireille. Truly.”

“Absolutely anytime, Nidev.”

Okay, that was so fucking obviously flirty. She had the hots for him, no doubt about it. Like every other female at the frikn school.

Their conversation had already gone on too long, and Lyric’s hand was beginning to cramp from her mindless scribbling. She’d need to clean up these notes before he saw them. Definitely not streamlined. She began circling the relevant information. Logistics. Supplies. Training accommodations.

Mrs. Mireille glanced at her phone, then back at Nidev, indicating a possible light at the end of the torturous tunnel. “You know, we’ve been at this for over an hour. How about we continue this over brunch? It’s not often we get to speak without some crisis demanding our attention.”

Brunch? God, please say no.

“That sounds reasonable. You’ve surely earned a break.”

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