Page 61 of The Reluctant Hero

My mind drifts over my own problems as bright blue and stupid names become my world.

I could read what I’m looking at but the truth is I don’t want to know. Whatever Loser did to catch these guy’s attentionis bad news. One more thing I didn’t notice. Typical. How blind have I been to life?

These are not guys to mess around with. Mr. Matthias says they aren’t mafia, but if they aren’t, what are they? Not nine-to-five guys. Not with one man and four bodyguards. Because that’s what they are, and they aren’t hiding it. This isn’t normal at all, no matter how rich he is. Maybe royalty of some kind, but I doubt it.

I’m shocked they aren’t torturing me for answers to insane questions. Maybe that will come after lunch. If I keep my head down and finish this up, I’ll collect a check and be on my way out.

A body comes into my line of sight, and I startle, looking up quickly.

Ace is in front of me. I hurry to take out one earbud.

“Yes?”

“Oh, darlin’,” he starts chuckling as he shakes his head. “Have you had those in the whole mornin’?”

“It’s only been an hour,” I rebut with a frown.

His brows go up. “It’s one in the afternoon. We’re discussin’ lunch.”

“Ok?” I ask in confusion. I was too busy digesting life to think about eating, but that’s not unusual. “I brought mine.”

“What do you want?” He blatantly ignores me.

“My peanut butter and jelly,” I lie flatly. I move to put the bud back in, and he snatches it out of my hand. “Hey!”

“Did she have permission to wear these, Gabe?” Ace asks in a silky tone that makes me scowl. He keeps eye contact with me, looking pleased at my irritation.

“You’ve been ignoring us all day?” Jake has his arms braced along the back of the couch as he watches me. I turn to look at Mr. Matthias and continue ignoring him. That couch is a no-go zone for me.

“I didn’t,” Matthias reaches out and takes the proffered earbud from Ace when he walks back to the big desk. “Bring me the other one.”

I cross my arms and sit back in mutiny.

“Now, Amanda.”

The snap to his tone startles me, but I hold strong.

“Where’s my please?”

The big guard’s brows go up high on his forehead, and Ace gives me a taunting smile.

“You are an employee. This is your job. I own this company and therefore you. Give it to me.”

Excuse me? He thinks heownsme? This asshole is headed to Blackeye Ville. I haven’t signed anything, so this soul stays where it is!

I flip him both middle fingers with a sweet smile. “Own this, asshole.”

“Ace, get the other one,” he says in a calm, cold tone and opens his desk drawer to drop the one he has inside.

My eyes narrow on Ace as he approaches me.

“I’ll ask ya nice, just this once.” He holds out his hand palm up. “Be sweet for me.”

“You do understand that I don’t have to be here, right?” I ask him, incredulous at this display of toxic masculinity.

“You do have to be here,” Ace says, his smile darkening around the edges. “And there are rules.”

Jake makes a spooky ghost wail noise that brings my frown to a scowl.

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