Page 39 of Prince of Darkness

He holds his stomach, looking a little pale. “I don’t think so,” he says before running out of the office. Oh shit. Literally. I think Mark just became a casualty of war. I stand heading towards Mark’s desk. When I look out, I see a tray of brownies sitting on it. Yep. Kim got him. I bet she doesn't feel guilty about it either. She and Mark were always going at it. I make a mental note not to eat any random food lying about for the time being.

Mark’s desk phone rings. I rush over to it, picking it up. “Maxwell Kennedy here,” I say when I answer. My excitement fails when a male’s voice comes through the receiver.

“Good morning, sir. I’m calling on behalf of Remex Collections. I’m calling about a debt you have for Kimmy’s Lingerie.”

“Try again,” I say before hanging up on the guy. I wonder how this works. Will they pass the call along to someone else?

I pick up the plate of brownies, tossing it into the trash before someone else gets caught in the line of fire of mine and my sister’s war. She knows Mark is a giant help in running my life. She’s obviously not fucking around.

“Can someone help me out here?” I call out. Three employees come running toward me. I’m an asshole and I don’t know any of their names. I blame Mark because he treats my office like it’s Fort Knox and doesn’t let anyone in. Everything goes through him first. Normally this works well for me but now I’m the asshole who doesn't know anyone’s names. I think for a second about introducing myself but that’s just as fucking stupid. Of course they know who I am. I make a mental note to have Mark get me names and pictures of everyone on this floor at least. What if I bring Mia here and want to show her around? I’ll have to introduce her to people. I’ll need to know names or she’ll also think I’m an asshole.

“Thanks for the help, ladies. I just need to know how to forward the calls into my office. Mark is out for the rest of the day.”

“I can fill in for him,” the blonde chirps too loudly.

“Okay.” I shrug. “I don’t want any calls coming in unless it’s family or Remex Collections.” The blonde almost knocks over one of the other girls to take Mark’s chair.

“On it, sir.” She gives a firm nod. The phone rings again. I can’t wait so I snatch it before she can get to it.

“Maxwell Kennedy here.”

“Good morning, sir. This is Julie from Remex Collections.”

“Nope, try again.” I hang up on them again. That was pretty quick. They’ve switched up the representative, having someone else call on my debt. I’m not the most patient man but I’ll wait until they get it right.

“Can I get you anything else?” The blonde looks up at me, batting her eyelashes.

“Do you have something in your eyes?” I ask. Both of the other women laugh as they head back to their offices.

“No.” She puffs out her bottom lip. I'm not sure what all of that’s about, nor do I care. She goes back to batting her eyelashes. I now remember why my sister told me only male assistants could work for me. This blonde will have to do for now. I still don’t ask her for her name. I have a feeling that won’t go over well. I hope Mark is back tomorrow at least.

“I’ll be in my office.” I look back at the phone, which hasn't rung again. Damn it. This is going to be a long day.

All day my phone rings over and over again but it’s never the voice I’m waiting for. I had no idea collection agencies could be so relentless. I would have snapped at them by now but I fear they’ll stop calling and I want to get to talk to my angel. As the day wears on I worry that maybe she’s not working today. She could have quit after the commission she made from my last payment. What if she’s sick or hurt? I hadn't even thought of any of these things until now. Each second that ticks by the more and more worried I become.

“You can’t go in there!” a loud voice shrieks. I’m pretty sure it’s the blonde. My office door flies open a second later. There stands my lovely sister with a smirk on her mouth which only means one thing. She’s here to start some shit.

“What now? Did you toilet paper my building?” I laugh. She rolls her eyes.

“Ma'am, you can’t go in there.” Kim turns and gives the blonde a death glare that has her stepping back. I know that look well. It even snaps her boys to attention.

“I told you, no women assistants.” She looks at me before slamming the door behind her. “That one is after one thing and one thing only.”

I shrug, not caring what she’s after. She keeps forwarding my calls so I don’t give a shit what she does. With the exception of doing me. She isn’t my type. It’s not like I know what my type is but soon enough I’ll know what my angel looks like.

“I’m not eating whatever that is.” My eyes go to the bag she’s holding. She walks in and tosses it on the sofa in my office that I often steal naps on.

“I was only checking on my dear brother.” She fakes a smile. Or maybe it’s not fake because there’s an evil twitch to it.

I lean back in my chair, not buying what she’s selling. She puts her hand on her hip. “Damn it, Max. I really wanted you to meet this girl.”

“I can’t.”

“Oh you look super busy.” She rolls her eyes at me.

My phone rings again. “Maxwell Kennedy here.”

“Good afternoon, sir. This is Julie from Remex collections.”

---