Page 74 of The Reluctant Hero

I’m surprised that no one is waiting for me at the desk today. The receptionist, Vanessa, gives me a relieved sigh.

“Thank God you’re dressed normally. Mr. Matthias is in a bad mood today.”

My brows go up at the friendly banter. When did we become allies? Probably the second he lost his temper this morning.

“I’m sure it will be fine,” I test out with a customer service smile.

“Yeah, as long as you don’t pull half the things you normally do,” she says begrudgingly. It seems as if she doesn’t want to like me, but I’m forcing her to anyway. It’s a weird way of getting to know someone. I might like it.

“I’m on good behavior today,” I can’t help that my smile widens to become mischievous. “Tomorrow is up in the air though.”

She grins and mutters, “Get in there. Please. He acts less like a robot when you’re around.”

Lesslike? I don’t want to know how it could get worse. Or how anyone is convinced I positively affect his moods.

Faint voices spill out in muffled tones from the closed door. I open one as sedately as possible, say a vague good morning without looking at anyone, and sit down to work.

By now I know it’s all information about random seizures of property. A lot of them. But they aren’t in any particular order. As if whoever had the files originally threw them in the air and put them in the box however they landed. Along with that are property development plans.

There are at least thirty properties so far. All clustered together, bought out and demolished to build various things. A golf course. A giant mansion with acres of land around it. The thing is, I never knew about any of this, and it supposedly all went through Loser. It would be difficult to miss that much money moving around in our joint account. Wouldn’t it?

“Amanda.”

I paste a fake smile on and look at Matthias.

“Yes?”

“I bought you new highlighters,” he smirks and tosses me a package of cheap markers. They land on the desk and mess up the paperwork as I watch, trying not to tense up.

“Return the ones you have to Sarah.”

It’s the first shot fired, and I’m not losing. I refuse to rise to this bait.

“Of course,” I nod and pick up the two I’ve been using. I straighten my skirt and leave the office without another word.

I deep-breathe through the elevator ride both ways, but I drop the highlighters in the filing room instead of handing them back. It still counts.

Dead silence greets me as I return, my eyes on the floor, and sit down to open the new package.

“Nice skirt,” Cade says in a taunting tone. “A little short, though, isn’t it?”

I keep my expression bland as I meet his eyes. “Should I go home and change?”

The hazel orbs narrow and slide toward Matthias, so I follow his gaze. The robot boss has leaned back in his chair, watching me with a smug smile.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” he says after a long, thoughtful pause.

I go back to work without another word.

It’s a lot harder to be submissive than I thought it would be. I did this for a long time before without much issue. The freedom I’ve had in the last few months has made me reckless. I keep imagining tying Matthias down to his desk and beating him up. It helps, but not much.

The ongoing silence is driving me nuts. They aren’t talking, and they don’t have the TV on as a distraction either. It’s me, being passive and bland, trying not to fall asleep on the pages in front of me. Oh, another lawyer's name. At least he got similar colors, not that it’s hard.

A discrete chime comes from my phone, reminding me that it’s lunchtime. I gather my lunch and purse to leave.

“Where are you going?” Matthias asks calmly. When I look back, he’s frowning like I just interrupted some deep thought.

“To lunch,” I remind him with a placid smile.

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