Page 11 of My Orc Billionaire
“I don’t need a big breakfast,” he grunted, even as he reached for the coffeepot and the mug I’d chosen forhim. “Thought Sylvik would’ve told you. I like protein. Oatmeal, fruit. Stuff like that.”
Not carby pancakey goodness?Ooohkay. I bobbed my head, intently watching—from the same eyeball corner—as he poured his coffee with a dash of cream. “Understood, sir. I can do that.”
After he pulled his mug away from the tray, I reached for the whole thing. “Let me take this back, I’ll make you some?—”
He grunted again. “Don’t be stupid.” One large green hand snaked over mine to pick up the platter of eggs and bacon. “I’m going to eat this. Is there syrup?”
A little dazed, I nodded and moved it from the tray. “I warmed it.”
You don’t need to tell him that, you idiot. He can tell you warmed it up—maple syrup isn’t naturally warm. He doesn’t need to know how closely you obsessed over whether it wastoowarm.
“Good.” He shoved a mouthful of eggs into his mouth, then repeated—mouth full—“Good.”
Was that…a compliment? Was he complimenting me?
I backed away from the table, my hands clasped in front of me. “I’ll…uh, I’ll be back later to clean up. I looked through the fridge, and I think I can do maple pecan-crusted chicken for lunch, unless that’s too sweet…”
Was I blathering? I was blathering, wasn’t I?
“Chicken’s fine,” he grumbled, sawing at his pancake. “One o’clock.”
Right, that matched Sylvik’s schedule. So I was nodding as I backed out of the room. “One o’clock. Enjoy the…uh…enjoy your breakfast. Sir.”
He didn’t respond, and I made it back to the kitchen before my knees gave out.
I sank into the chair by the little breakfast nook, which had the same magnificent view as the dining room, and blew out a relieved—and confused—breath.
I’dmadeit. I’d passed the first test. His breakfast hadn’t been what he’d wanted exactly, but he was eating it, and seemed to be enjoying it. I had no idea his preferences, but I could learn those. I could avoid pissing him off, I could avoid reminding him of myhumanness.
Outside the window, the clouds trundled cheerfully by, and I felt as if their speed matched my own.
I could do this.
Couldn’t I?
Abydos
“You just say the word, boss.”Garrak’s tone didn’t change from his usual calm, even when he was discussing shit that could cost him his livelihood. “We can have these protests shut down.”
“For fuck’s sakes,” I rumbled, pinching the bridge of my nose and leaning back in my overlarge desk chair. “I don’t want you to beat up the protestors. That’snotgoing to look good for our image.”
Humans already thought orcs were terrifying monsters, yeah? What would happen if my foreman and a bunch of the miners began keeping the hippies at bay with violence?
On the other end of the phone, Garrak snorted quietly. “Imeantwith money. I just need your approval to spend the bribes or whatever.”
“Oh, like you’d be the one I’d trust to bribe a bunch of humans.”
“I’mverygood with humans, boss. Half of them likely owe me money already.”
It was true; Garrakwasgood with his money, and if any of the troublemakers had lost at cards to him…
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. “Leave them alone.”
A pause. “You sure? They’re bringing all sorts of negative attention to Vengeance. The press is posting some nasty?—”
“I saw it,” I interrupted. Of course I had. “Raping the Landwas the title of yesterday’s article.”
“The humans are talking about the negative environmental impacts,” Garrak warned. “Using words likeinjusticeandmoral imperativeand even worse…fines.”
