He cocked an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”
“Salazar said you needed an assistant. Obviously I’m not suitable for that position.”
His mouth quirked. “Are you turning down a job I haven’t even offered?”
She flushed. “You weren’t going to, so don’t pretend.”
“One thing you need to know about me is that I don’t pretend. I say what I mean, and I do what I say.” He straightened. “You’re to start immediately. Fill out whatever paperwork HR throws at you and then come back here.”
“Excuse me?”
“Unless you think you can do better elsewhere, I suggest you hurry. My offer has a rather tight expiration date.”
* * *
Dane stared at the closed door. Sophia’s feminine scent lingered, making his body practically vibrate with need. Shit.
Desire still simmered, unfulfilled from the night before. He’d come, his hand fisted around his dick, but that was a poor substitute for her. He remembered—clearly—how sweet her body was, how wet and welcoming. And he still hadn’t felt what her lips felt like around his cock.
Perched at the edge of his desk, he put his fingertips together. He’d thought to intimidate her. Most people would’ve sweated and stammered when he’d gotten in their face, even without raising his voice.
But not her.
She’d stood her ground, told him what she thought. Called him an entitled asshole. He could respect that in spite of himself.
Still, that didn’t mean he was deviating from his plan. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d said he didn’t want her as his stepmother. Who would want to call a woman they’d slept with “Mom”?
Not to mention, despite her insistence to the contrary, he knew Salazar’s transformation had something to do with her. Dane had seen how perceptive she was regarding other people’s vulnerabilities. And people like that were also great at using them to their advantage. Just look how Salazar had done it to the ones around him, and the same for his mother, Ceinlys.
People were no different from wild animals—it was all about survival of the fittest. Sure, they wore nice clothes and pretty smiles and spouted polite words. Sort of like the way predators looked innocuous until they pounced. Dane had no interest in becoming the prey. Nor did he have any interest in masking himself just to make everyone else around him feel safe. It wasn’t his job. Besides, everyone already knew what a bastard he was anyway.
Better to be an asshole than a failure…or worse, a pawn.
He dialed a number from memory. His brother Mark was getting married soon, and Dane needed to speak to his fiancée. When she picked up, he didn’t wait for a greeting. “My assistant’s going to call you to help with your wedding plans. Keep her busy.”
A short pause. Then Hilary Rosenberg said, “That’s nice of you, but I’m already covered with Jo, and Vanessa is helping too.”
Dane felt his mouth tighten. Josephine Martinez was the maid of honor, and not only did she have great taste, she was superbly organized to boot. “Still. If you do this for me, I’ll skip the wedding.”
This time there was a long pause. “Um…what?”
“It’s not like you want me at the ceremony.” He was well aware of how he ranked.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re family.”
Cynicism tugged at a corner of his mouth. “Don’t worry, I’ll still send a wedding gift.”
“Dane, you have to be at the wedding if I do this. That’s my price.”
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
“Good. I think I can keep her busy. Things always come up at the last minute with weddings.”
“Surprising.” Hilary was one of the most efficient people he knew. “I thought you had everything figured out.”
“I do. It’s other people who don’t.”
Of course. Dane hesitated for a moment. “Thanks.”
Chapter Seventeen
Dane glanced at the clock. It was already three in the afternoon, and Sophia hadn’t been by since she’d left earlier to help Hilary. So his future sister-in-law was making good on her promise.
He poured himself a scotch and savored it. He’d be surprised if Sophia would last the day. On the other hand… She seemed like a fighter. So it might take two days before she cried uncle.
His mobile buzzed. Vanessa again. She should really call her husband if she found her life so unsatisfying. This was getting ridiculous. He ignored it.
A few minutes later Hilary called. Curious about how things had gone with Sophia, he answered. “Dane Pry—”
“Oh my GOD! I cannot believe you gave her a JOB!”