Page 26 of Money Reigns
“It’s not,” I clip.
She nods.
Falls silent again.
Warren.
No onecalls me that.
The elevator doors slide open and we step out together.
Lapdog Broderick is already waiting, holding my coffee like a good little mutt.
“Morning, War. I got—Liv?” he blinks, dumb and confused like someone changed the script mid-scene.
I don’t look at him.
“I have a meeting right now with Ms. Baker. Fill me in on whatever you have later.”
I snatch the coffee from his hand and place my other palm to the small of her back. Warm. Steady. Possessive.
She stiffens beneath my touch.
Good.
I guide her past him, toward my office.
The door clicks shut behind us and the silence stretches, heavy and waiting.
She lingers near it. Doesn’t step further in.
Like crossing the threshold completely would make this real.
Her hands hover at her sides. One hand clenched on the handle of her knock off purse. Frozen.
But then she moves.
Takes a few careful steps forward, her heels soft against the carpet, and stops halfway into the room like she’s unsure if she’s invited or cornered.
She lifts her head. Chin up. Eyes wide.
“Mr. Bea—Warren,” she corrects herself quickly. “Is something wrong?”
I take a slow sip of the coffee.It’swrong. Too much cream. Broderick’s an idiot.
I set it down and walk to the other side of the desk. Lean back against it. Arms crossed. Watching her.
“No,” I say simply. “Nothing’s wrong. But thingsarechanging.”
Her brows knit. “Changing?”
I nod. “You work for me now.”
Silence.
It lands exactly like I expected.
She blinks once. Twice. Then laughs, quiet, nervous. “I-I think there’s been a mistake. I work for WesTech. For Wesley.”
