Page 106 of Theirs to Take

“Right,” Luke agreed, handing him back the laptop. “How about I just leave this with you and take you up to HR? Then, I’m sure that you’ll want to meet with Alex and Rod.”

“Rod’s busy today, but I’m here and ready to show you to your office,” Alex said, standing in the doorway. “Hey, Luke,” he said. “How’s it going?”

“Good, Alex,” Luke said. “I’m just not sure what protocol is for handling a new partner. I’ve handled employees on their first day, but I’m assuming that it’s not the same.”

“Yeah, I’ll take Evan around from here,” Alex said. “Thanks, Luke.”

“Not a problem. Good luck, Evan,” he said.

“Thanks, good to see you again, Luke,” Evan said back over his shoulder.

“Come on, I’ll take you up to your office. You’ll want to meet your new assistant,” Alex said.

“New assistant?” Evan asked. “I don’t need an assistant,” he said.

“Sure you do,” Alex insisted. “All of the partners have one, and I think you’ll like Carrie.” Shit, this didn’t sound like a good thing to Evan. He wouldn’t have any idea what to do with an assistant.

“Didn’t you and Rod both marry your assistants?” Evan asked as they got into the elevator.

“We did,” Alex admitted.

“Is that why you got me an assistant?” Evan asked.

“What? No,” Alex said, giving Evan a smile and a wink. “You have a new assistant because you need one if you’re going to keep up with this place, man. Trust me on this.” He was sure from the smile and wink that the last thing that he should do was trust Alex McTavish.

They got off of the elevator and walked down the hallway, past Alex’s office, and down to Rod’s. “We decided to put you up here with us. I hope that you like my brother enough to have an office next to him. I mean, he’s a lot, but Rod seems to really like you.”

“Well, that’s good to know, since we’re all going to be working together,” Evan teased. He peeked into the office that had a wall of windows overlooking the city and smiled. He’d always wanted an office like this. “It’s great,” Evan breathed. “I love it.” Alex smiled and nodded over to the sexy little brunette who was walking up to them.

“I’m glad you like your office,” Alex said. “This is your new assistant, Carrie McTavish,” Alex said.

“As in she’s related to you and Rod?” Evan asked.

“She’s our little cousin. Her father and my father are brothers and Carrie just got here from Scotland.” Shit, his new assistant was related to his new business partners and that was the last thing he needed.

“Carrie, this is your new boss, Evan Kingston,” Alex said.

She held out her hand to him and he took it into his own, giving it a curt shake.

“Good to meet you, Mr. Kingston,” she said. God, her accent was sexy. Why was it that hearing that same accent come from Alex or Rod did nothing for him, but hearing it come out ofCarrie made him want to get on his knees and beg her to say something else?

“Please, call me Evan, Carrie,” he said. “I’m not a very formal person, but you’ll figure that out soon enough.”

“Well, then, I’ll leave you two to get settled. It’s Carrie’s first day too, and she has an appointment with HR. Someone will be up to speak to you too, Evan,” Alex said.

“I can save them a trip and accompany Carried down to HR. I don’t want any special treatment,” Evan insisted.

“Suit yourself,” Alex said. “I was just trying to make your day run as smoothly as possible,” Alex admitted. “You’ll be tossed into the fire soon enough.”

“Gee, thanks for that,” Evan grumbled. Alex chuckled and went back down the hallway to his office.

“Well, shall we?” Carrie asked, nodding to the elevator. He looked back in at the office that he hadn’t even stepped foot in yet and back at her, nodding.

“Right behind you,” he promised.

Carrie

Carrie wasn’t sure what her overly eager cousins were up to, but she knew that they were up to no good. As soon as she stepped off the plane, they welcomed her with their growing families and even threw a small party in her honor. They shared all of their favorite American foods with her, and she was sure that she’d never get tired of burgers, and she wouldn’t have to since they were served on just about every street corner in the states. They both seemed so happy to have her there, in their homes, and around their families. When Alex offered her a job at their company, she had no choice but to say yes, because going back home wasn’t an option for her. Her father wouldn’t allow it.

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