Page 25 of Badass Alien Boss

Something of his thoughts must have shown on his face because she asked, “You don’t think I deserve what I’m paid?”

I shouldn’t have said anything.“To me you do.”

GAL Friday’s fee wasn’t the only outrageous expense, but it was the only one he felt responsible for. She’d been hired because of him. If his brother continued on the same path, overpaying for services, he could go bankrupt.

No maybe, hewould. It was inevitable. The company’s outgo exceeded its inflow.

“I don’t think 10,000 credits per month is too much!” She scowled.

“It’s a little more than that,” he said.Why did I open my mouth?

“Okay—13,000. I get 10K, and GAL Friday gets a 30 percent commission, so 13,000 credits total.”

He went still. “That’s what you receive—10K?”

“Yes.” She looked hurt.

“GAL Friday bills 40,000 credits per month.”

Her jaw dropped. She shook her head. “No. That’s not right. That’s crazy. Nobody would pay that much. GAL Friday wouldn’tchargethat. It’s like a 300 percent commission! That’s like what a loan shark would charge. GAL Friday is a reputable company.”

“According to the financials, Korsan Enterprises pays GAL Friday 40K per month.”

“That has to be an accounting error. Someone inputted a wrong number. The agency wouldn’t price-gouge like that.”

The implications knocking around in his brain propelled him to his feet. Korsan wasn’t detail-oriented; numbers bored him. A “big picture” guy, a visionary, he left the details to the experts he hired. Ruyn wanted to believe his brother had learned from his mistakes and had a handle on business, but the data suggested otherwise.

Michaela’s salary wasn’t the only anomaly, and the concerns he’d previously raised had been brushed aside.

She set down her dinner box. “If I made that kind of money, I could have opened my own agency a long time ago.” Her lips twisted ruefully. “No wonder you thought I was overpaid.”

“You are…priceless. I didn’t mean to insult you. I’m sorry.” The air seemed to electrify. Heat spread up into his neck.

“It’s all right. I understand now. Much as I’d love to earn that much, when I open my agency, I won’t be paying my investigators any 40K per month. I’ll earn far less than I’m earning now.”

There it was—the reminder of her inevitable departure. “I’m going to miss you.” The admission slipped from his lips. Some thoughts were better kept to oneself. Voicing his feelings would make her uncomfortable and their interactions awkward during the time they had left.

“I’m going to miss you, too,” she replied. What else could she say?

“You’ll have other clients.”

“Not badass alien bosses like you.”

“I’m not such a badass.” Not anymore. “And you’ll be your own boss.”

“With the client calling the shots.”

“Well, then,thisclient suggests we finish our dinner before we need to turn out the light.” Eating might redirect them to safer topics. He sat down again and took a long swig of the alcoholic beverage Mama had provided.

His skin tingled with awareness of Michaela’s proximity, the tight space enclosing them in a disturbing aura of intimacy that could loosen his tongue. He feared what he might reveal to her. He eyed the drink in his hand. The last thing he needed was alcohol. He took another pull and finished off the bottle.

“Mama’s quite a character,” Michaela said.

“She is.”

“She likes you a lot.”

“She likes you, too.”As do I. A lot. Too much.