Chapter 3

There was so much food in front of me; I didn’t know where to start. Home fries, burgers, pizza, fried chicken, fried pickles, fried cheese curds…Oh my god, was that fried strips of steak? I grabbed a few pieces, burning my fingers and letting out a yelp.

Luther laughed at me, then handed me a napkin. “Careful, it’s hot.”

I nodded, but dumped some on the fine china plate he’d set in front of me. Murmured thanks as Luther set three cans of Pepsi by my plate. Why they were feeding me so well after catching me helping steal Mr. Ashburne’s car was a mystery, but I hadn’t had a solid meal in…hell, it had been a week, hadn’t it? My stomach was ready to eat itself. It hurt just to look at the food and know I couldn’t inhale it all. If I ate too fast, I’d probably make myself sick.

But I took some of everything. Including the pickles, which I didn’t even like. Who knew when I’d get to eat again? Hopefully, I could keep enough down to last.

“Thank you, Luther. If you could give us a few moments alone?” Mr. Ashburne was very polite to his…damn, I didn’t know what Luther was to him. A bodyguard, probably. Anything less would be a waste of his obvious talents.

Luther inclined his head and stepped out into the hall.

Mr. Ashburne watched me eat whatever didn’t burn my tongue, not touching the food himself. After I’d downed a few mouthfuls, he leaned forward, putting his hand over the back of mine.

“Don’t stop eating, but let me explain your situation to you.” His lips curved when I nodded. My mouth was full, so it was all I could do. “I could call the police, but I’m curious as to why Luther brought you to me. He’s not only my head of security but my partner. He knows me better than anyone, and he’s aware that I have one position I’ve failed to fill.”

I finished chewing, swallowed, then ran my tongue over my teeth to make sure I didn’t have any food stuck there. “What’s that?”

“I need an assistant. A secretary.” He smirked when I made a face. “I’m sure you have much more appealing prospects, but hear me out. In my business, it’s difficult to find a man I can trust.”

“Aren’t secretaries usually women?” I wasn’t trying to be sexist, but a man like him could have eye candy, like most rich men did. A pretty blond chick willing to serve him in every way.

He laughed. At me. I was sure of it. “Traditionally, yes. But I’m not traditional. The women who work for me are capable of the same level of control I manage. Ruthless businesswomen who can face their male counterparts in the boardroom. They all have male secretaries who are more than capable of…submitting to them. I envy the relationships they have and I’ve been looking for someone to fill that place for me.”

“And you’re gonna choose the guy that stole your car?”

“You don’t have my car, Alexander. Your brothers do.” He gave me a stiff smile when I blinked at him. “Luther gave me a brief summary while you were washing up. I believe your circumstances forced your hand. And either misplaced loyalty, or fear, has you protecting your siblings. I will get my car back, but what’s more important to me right now is the unique opportunity to fill this vacant position. Are you interested?”

“Hell yes!” This couldn’t be happening. A job offer? The man had to be crazy, but I’d be crazier to say no. Except…well, could I be a secretary? I was a high school dropout. Willing to learn whatever he needed from me, but why should he put up with a man without skills when he could find a hundred guys who had plenty to offer? “I can’t type. I’m willing to learn, but I have to ask. Why me? I’m the last person you should even consider for the job. Not that I’m saying you shouldn’t hire me. I’ll work harder than anyone. I’m desperate and I won’t fuck you over. No one else would want me, but these other guys could find work anywhere.”

You just answered your own question, idiot.

“I can see you understand. Your desperation is actually appealing, Alexander. And you may not know this, but I do have cameras in the parking garage. None so obvious as those on the lower levels. I park my car with the employees because they are all gone by five. I have management and fellow board members who work as late as I do. When I finish my day—or night, as happens more often than not—I prefer to avoid interacting with any of them.” He folded his hands on the table. “I can identify both your brothers with surveillance. I will use it to retrieve my car. It is not one of my most expensive, but I am fond of it.”

Damn, he didn’t need to make me an offer at all. My ‘loyalty’ was irrelevant. If Mr. Ashburne wanted them, they were done for.

And so was I. He had me breaking his window on video. Probably high definition, because why the hell not? I didn’t have a leg to stand on. He had me by the balls.

But instead of using that, he was informing me of the facts as though giving me options. Options that no sane person would consider. Except…he was taking away fear as my only motivation for taking the job.

Or…maybe he wasn’t? I didn’t have to turn my brothers in for them to get caught. He didn’t need me for that. If I turned him down, we could still go to jail. All of us.

“What exactly do you want from me, Mr. Ashburne?” I used the napkin Luther had given me to wipe my mouth. Despite him having caught me and dragged me up here, I kinda liked the guy. He was cool. Didn’t play around. Unlike his boss, I had a good idea of where he was coming from. “If all you want is someone who can do the job, but can’t be grabbed up by a rival, I can do that. I’ll sign whatever you want. I don’t know anyone, and you’ve got shit on me, so not like I’d even consider a better offer.”

“I will expect more than you can even imagine, Alexander. What you sign will not be in blood, but it might as well be. You will never find another job anywhere if you breech our contract.” Mr. Ashburne rested his hands on the table. Completely relaxed. But I sensed my answer was important to him. That he wanted me to say yes. “You will learn things about me that may make you reconsider your answer. As of tonight, so long as you work for me, you may not go back to the place you consider ‘home’.”

No big loss there. I wouldn’t miss sleeping on a park bench. “Where am I gonna go then?”

“We will work on your language. You’re not a stupid boy, Alexander. Please don’t let your speech have people believing otherwise.”

“Fine. Where would you like me to stay?”

“With me.”

Holy fuck! I stared at him. Was he joking? He’d just met me and he was gonna take me home with him?

He laughed again. “I do enjoy your reactions. Luther lives with me as well. My house is not small. You will have your space and you will be watched until you’ve earned our trust. Which will be a bit easier with Luther, since he found you worthy enough to bring to me. Show him he wasn’t wrong to do so, and you may earn yourself a very good friend.”

“But…” I wasn’t sure what to make of all he’d said. What would happen after I signed his papers? “When does all this happen? I look at the contract and bring it back to you and then—”

“You’ll look at it now, Alexander. I’m a busy man. If you don’t accept my offer, we’ll be having a very different conversation. It’s almost midnight. I trust you’ll make up your mind before then.” He stood and gestured to the food. “Please enjoy your meal. Luther will bring you the contract. He will answer any questions you have about it. I will see you again once it’s signed.”

Okay, I didn’t like how fucking confident he was that I’d go along with what he expected me to do. My pride wasn’t dead, even though it might look like it was when I begged for spare change on the corner.

I fisted the napkin in my hand. “What if I don’t sign?”

Hand on the doorknob, he glanced back at me, his sharp features completely relaxed. “As I said, I don’t believe you’re a stupid man. Young, but not stupid. Proving me wrong would be a mistake.”

A not so subtle threat. I stared at the door long after he was gone. For some reason, I didn’t think he was threatening to turn me in to the police. I had a feeling he could do so much worse.