Page 52 of Assistant to the Billionaire CEO

“The problem is that we can’t be sure of that. We know for a fact that he was drawing up blueprints for properties in Short Hills, the exact same location where Ecclestone is currently building a bunch of new developments.”

“That’s probably just a coincidence though.” I tried to suck up more of my strawberry goodness. “I mean, it doesn’t prove anything.”

“You’re right, it doesn’t. That’s where you come in.”

“How?”

“I need you to keep an eye on Ace for us. You have access to Windsor Architects’ files and his meeting schedule. All you need to do is ascertain whether he has met or is still meeting with Edmund Ecclestone or one of his partners.”

I looked at him, shocked. “I can’t do that!No,” I blurted, nearly knocking over my milkshake. “You’re asking me to snoop onAce. Hello? He’s my boss. Even worse, you’re asking me to snoop on your friend. That’s a terrible favor to ask. Wait, is that why you helped me get a job there? That’s horrible!You’rea horrible person.”

“I know. But it’s important.” Damon took off his glasses and placed them on the table, pinching the bridge of his nose again.

“I thought you were helping me out of the goodness of your heart, not touseme!”

“Calm down. Nobody’s using anybody. It might be an unpleasant task, but it’s crucial to the well-being and future of Humphries Properties. Toourwell-being.” He met my gaze. “Stella, there’s no other way. Youhaveto do it.”

“Are you threatening me, Damon?” I asked, arching a rather irritated brow. “You know how much I appreciate that you’re helping me pay my bills and offer certain luxuries while I get settled in. I’m also well aware that you’ve always been willing to help when I needed it, no matter the cost, but that doesn’t mean I’m obligated to do your dirty work for you.”

“I’m not threatening you. I’m asking you to do me a favor. Not because you owe me, but because I’m your brother, and I need your help. You know I wouldn’t be asking you if I had any other choice. I know it’s fucked up, and I tried to think of other ways, but there are none.”

“Why don’t you just ask him yourself?” I asked. “I’m sure he’ll understand why you’re wondering, and I’m even more sure he’ll be honest with you.”

Damon rubbed at his temples, ruffling the edges of his dark hair. He sighed and put his glasses back on. His almost-black eyes bore into me as he kept me locked in his gaze. “Ididask him, but he weaseled his way out of giving me a straight answer. He’s hiding something. That’s all I know.”

I didn’t like where this conversation was heading, not a single bit. My brother was excellent at knowing people. He was smart. He was intuitive. He was the best at what he did, and his sixth sense hardly ever let him down. I couldn’t just dismiss his thoughts because they didn’t align with what I wanted to hear.

In a weak attempt, I said, “I’m sure you just misunderstood him.”

“I didn’t. My gut is telling me there’s something we don’t know. My hypothesis is that Windsor Architects got into financial trouble somehow because Ace teamed up with Ecclestone—likely by getting involved on the Short Hills Development with him or maybe even some earlier project—and that’s why he’s looking to sell Windsor Architects.”

“Are you really sure, Damon?” I fiddled with a piece of paper I’d found on the table and folded it into intricate shapes. “Ace is a good person. I don’t believe that he’d be dishonest with you.”

“Ace might be a good person, but Ecclestone is an absolute fucking bastard. You know that. Everybody knows that.”

“Yes.” I dropped the piece of paper I’d been playing with and stared at it mournfully on the glass top of the table, remembering one article I’d read in the comic section of a construction magazine. “If the two worst people had a baby, and that baby was raised by the worst people, it would probably be almost as evil and sadistic as Edmund is.” Nobody wanted to be tied to him, unless you were either ruthless or uninterested in a successful Whitehat career.

“So, you understand I don’t have a choice? I need to find out if Ace is connected to him, no matter the cost.” Damon looked at me, his eyes illuminated by the bar’s unnatural lighting.

“I understand. I don’t want to do it, but I understand. If I were in your shoes, I’d want to know if Ace was working with Ecclestone too.” I sighed and leaned back. “I trust you, Damon. Now I really want to know. Maybe Ace stumbled into it by accident?”

“Maybe. But I doubt it. If all of it had been some kind of mishap, he would have confided in us. He’s covering something up, and you need to catch him.”

“I can’t see myself working for him if Ecclestone is part of the package.” Solemnly, I did my best to suck more of my thick milkshake through the straw, but nothing came out. I shook my head, unhappy. “So, what exactly do you need me to do? Catch him how?”

“You need to find out if Windsor Architects is in any kind of financial trouble, and more importantly, if they’re doing or have done business with Ecclestone. All this could be the case, but it could also be neither. Either way, I need to know.”

“Okay, but I don’t like it one bit,” I finally said.

“Honestly, neither do I.” Damon lifted his bourbon glass to his lips and emptied it. “He’s one of my best buddies.”

“And my boss,” I reminded him just as my curly fries arrived.

I looked at my watch. It was 2:05 p.m. Only forty-two hours until I got to clock in on Monday morning.

I wasn’t looking forward to it.

Not one tiny bit.

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