Page 18 of Obey

“Don’t say I never gave you anything.”

"What's this?" I ask, eyeing the bag.

"Can't a man bring his lovely assistant breakfast without suspicion?" His hand flies to his chest in mock hurt.

“You bribing me?” I ask.

“Obviously.” Jace looks offended that I even have to question it. “Morale is important around here, and Nate has a tendency to kill it rather quickly.”

A laugh escapes as I open it. Inside waits a chocolate croissant, golden-brown and glistening, chocolate pooled at each end. He watches me bite into it, gaze following the movement. "Worth the trip downtown?"

I chew slowly, savoring the moment of power. "It's not bad," I say, licking powdered sugar from my lip, "but next time, a warm one would be nice."

His smile widens instantly, as if he's just won something valuable. “See, this is why I keep you around. You don't let me get lazy."

From the corner of my eye, I spot Nate in his office doorway, his expression sour enough to curdle the milk in my coffee.

"Mr. Narváez, can I have a word?" he asks.

"Sure thing, Boss man," Jace shoots back, turning to wink at me before sauntering into Nate's office.

By late Friday afternoon, the fourteenth floor feels like a pressure cooker. Phones have been ringing all day, meeting requests keep piling up, and Nate's patience is wearing thinner by the hour.

We file into the SOLAÉ Suite. Nate sits at the head, papers perfectly aligned. Elias on his left, arms folded. Jace to his right, sprawled with the careless elegance of a man who knows every eye will find him anyway.

And me? I hover at the edge, pen ready.

The call begins. Numbers, projections, promises. Everything runs smoothly until a board member asks about the upcoming investor dinner.

The same dinner that started my week buried in duplicated invitations and conflicting schedules. I'd straightened out the arrangements, but Nate still hadn't approved the final details I'd sent him that morning.

He hesitates, and I realize he hasn't gotten around to it.

Before the pause can become awkward, I step in.

"Le Jardin is holding the private dining room for the fourteenth. I've confirmed the dietary requirements and prepared the invitations. Everything is ready once Mr. Blackwell gives final approval."

The board member nods, satisfied.

Crisis averted.

I take a breath, ready to retreat back to my corner, when Nate's light-gray eyes meet mine, and I see that the usual irritation is conspicuously absent. He studies me for another moment before giving a small nod of acknowledgment.

Which honestly shouldn't feel as satisfying as it does.

Jace looks entirely too pleased behind his coffee cup, and even Elias nods, but it’s so slight I almost think I hallucinated it.

After the call, everyone disperses fast. I gather my notes and make a beeline for the break room, starving for air, maybe even escape.

One week in, and I'm still standing. Nate hasn't made my life any easier, but he's running out of reasons to question whether I belong here.

Elias seems to have made up his mind about me, and Jace hasn't exactly been subtle about enjoying my company.

Whatever the three of them expected when they hired me, I'm beginning to suspect this arrangement is going to be a lot more complicated than keeping their calendars straight.

six

Controlled Exposure