Page 16 of Shattered Throne
"Kim Young." I stood to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise. First day?"
"That obvious?"
She smiled. "You still look hopeful. Give it a week." She settled into the chair beside my desk like she planned to stay awhile. "Word of advice. The executive floor has its own ecosystem. Stay out of the gossip, don't take sides, and never, ever comment on family business."
"Family business?"
"The Dubois family." She lowered her voice slightly. "They're... complicated. And everyone has opinions. Best to keep yours to yourself."
I nodded. That tracked with what I'd already observed.
"Also," Margaret continued, "the coffee machine on this floor is terrible. There's a better one on twenty-five, near the legal department. And if you need anything, my desk is around the corner."
"Thank you." I meant it. This was the first genuinely helpful thing anyone had said to me all day.
Margaret stood, smoothing her skirt, and offered me a sweet smile before leaving. I wanted to follow after her, but Xavier was still in his office. I stayed at my desk even as five o'clock came and went.
The floor emptied out gradually. First the assistants, then the junior executives, then everyone else. I watched as they trooped out, wishing Xavier would come out of his office so I could finally go home. By six, the silence I’d appreciated earlier became oppressive.
And my boss was still in his office. Was this intentional? Was this his way of frustrating me? So, he was just as mean and scary as the rumors had said. I was starting to understand why all of those assistants had quit.
I had no choice but to call Dani. I explained that I was running late. She sighed but said it was fine. Zoe could have dinner with them. I promised to make it up to her, the way I always promised, the debt between us growing with every favor I couldn't repay.
At 7:23 p.m., Xavier finally emerged.
He looked rumpled. Exhausted. His shirt was untucked on one side, his sleeves still rolled, and there were shadows under his eyes that hadn't been there this morning. When he saw me still at my desk, he stopped short.
"You're still here."
"I was waiting for you." I started gathering my things. "I didn't want to leave in case you needed anything else."
He stared at me. Blinked. "How long have you been sitting there?"
I shrugged. "Since I got you lunch."
"Jesus." He ran a hand through his hair again, adding to the chaos. "You should have gone home. I didn't realize anyone was waiting."
I shrugged, pulling on my coat. "First day. I wanted to make a good impression."
He laughed. "You're already doing better than my last three assistants, and all you did was stay past five."
Really? That was all it took?
Xavier grabbed his jacket, shrugging it on. "Where do you live?"
"Brooklyn."
"Yeah?" He was heading for the elevator, and I fell into step beside him because that seemed to be what was expected. "Where in Brooklyn?"
I gave him the cross streets. Close enough to be useful, vague enough to protect my privacy.
"I'm heading in that direction," he said as the elevator doors opened. "I'll give you a ride."
No.
The word was right there, ready on my tongue. I didn't take favors from men. Favors came with strings, and I'd spent my whole life cutting myself free from other people's strings.
