Page 290 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 8
“Of course. If I took his magic, how would he come to Morocco once a week to draw me a bath?”
Nigel had been sucking up to Ghazi just for this moment, hadn’t he?
“And speaking of teleporting halfway across the world…” Ghazi snapped his fingers and the zapper that I’d stolen appeared in his hands. “Did you really think I didn’t know what you were up to in India?” He shook his head. “Anyway, good luck with your mortality!” He snapped his fingers and disappeared.
I touched the center of my chest again.
“That guy seems like a real asshole,” said Robert.
“Right?” But I didn’t have time to awkwardly agree with something Robert said right now. I’d lost my magic, but I hadn’t lost everything. I still had Ash. As long as I could win her back. I needed to summon her and tell her everything. And stop her from this sham of an engagement.
I snapped my fingers, but nothing happened.Damn it!I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to not having magic anymore. “Nigel! I need you to summon Ash here immediately.”
Nigel slowly smiled. “No.”
“What?”
“I don’t have to listen to you anymore! You’re not my master! I’m a free boy!”
“Nigel...come on...”
“I’m not your houseboy anymore! I’m finally free for the first time in over 300 years. And I don’t take orders anymore.” He put his hands on his hips.
That saucy little traitor. “Seriously? You’re quitting on me?”
“What?” Nigel shook his head violently. “No? Do I have to? Don’t make me! I don’t have anywhere to go!”
That wasn’t true. He had multiple houses. “I don’t want you to go,” I said. “But...you are free. To do whatever you want. You don’t have to work for me anymore.”
“But I love working for you.”
I smiled. But...did he? Because I’d just asked him to summon Ash and he’d refused. “And I love you working for me,” I said. “I’m honestly now sure what I’d do without you. Losing magic is hard enough.”
“But losing me would be devastating,” said Nigel.
“This feels really gay right now,” said Robert.
“Shut it, Robert, Tanner and I are having a moment! We’re free boys!” Nigel turned back to me. “I want to be a free houseboy, please. We’ll need to renegotiate my work hours.”
“Sure. Whatever. Now summon Ash.”
“No, we need a new contract.”
I sighed. Was he serious? “Just work whenever you want.”
“I need it in writing.” He turned to Robert. “Can I use a laptop so I can type up the contract?”
“This is the weirdest day of my life,” said Robert. He laughed. “I love it. Yeah, sure, this way.” He guided us to his office.
Nigel hurried around the back of Robert’s desk. “I can’t wait to show you my new skills, Master Tanner!” He cleared his throat. “I mean Tanner.” He opened up the laptop. And cracked his fingers. He was really making a whole show of it. And then he literally took a whole minute to touch the power button to turn it on.
That seemed unnecessary...
“You don’t have to hold the power button that long,” said Robert.
“Yes you do,” said Nigel. “It’s part of the steps.”
“What steps?”
