Page 60 of Only the Devil
“What’s that?”
If McFuck Face hit on her when they were at lunch…I swear, I’d have to remind myself why assault charges aren’t worth it. If he did, I suppose that would prove he doesn’t think his life is really in danger, cause only the dumbest fuck would hit on his security guy’s girlfriend.
“They offered me the CTO role.”
I side-eye her. “No shit?”
“Twelve-million-dollar salary, plus stock options…but they don’t vest for five years, so that’s kind of immaterial.”
I nearly choke on my beer. “Hold up. Million? With an M?”
“Yeah.”
“Twelve million.” I repeat it, testing how the words taste. “That’s…”
“Life-changing money.”
“Yeah.” I study her profile. “The kind that makes people forget why they’re really somewhere.”
She finally looks at me. “You think I’d take it?”
“I think twelve million is a lot of zeros to ignore.”
“Yeah.” She draws the word out, nodding slowly.
“Wow. What…” I know what he wants her to do, build a program, I got that. “And so are you supposed to suck him off daily too?”
She barks out a laugh, and I do too, but like, holy shit.
Twelve million dollars. The number ricochets, and not just because of the zeros. Set-for-life money. The kind of money that could take her somewhere I’d never reach.
I study her profile as she stares across suburbia, trying to read what she’s thinking. Her lips are slightly parted, and I find myself remembering what it felt like last night when she?—
Christ. Focus, Ryder.
“It’s not a big deal,” she says. “I’m already working for him. Just like you.”
She’s got me there.
“Rhodes, or well, his lawyer, is looking into legal requirements. CTO is an officer of the company. It’s more about my obligations as an officer. If I suspect legal wrongdoing, it’s not as easy for me to?—”
“Turn the pond scum into the feds?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“I’m betting Sterling’s not offering that kind of money out of the goodness of his heart.”
“No kidding. The question is what he really expects me to do for it.”
“Well, hear, hear.” I lean over to clink the glass bottle against hers. “Kickin’ ass and taking names. You should be proud. You’re doing good.”
She lights up like I just handed her the moon. Makes me wonder who’s been shortchanging this woman on basic human decency.
“I’m not gonna lie. It feels nice to have him recognize what I can achieve.” She stares off into the distance. “Even if he does have ulterior motives.”
I take a long swallow of beer, understanding exactly what she’s saying. Praise hits differently when you’re not used to getting it. I’d watched good soldiers chase ribbons and rank just to hear “well done” from someone who mattered.
“And twelve big ones… That’s life changing.” I side eye her as I say it, wondering if she’s considering putting everything aside. Working for the scum for the payday, forgetting about the people he ripped off, or hell, the woman whose body he at the very least moved to avoid an investigation.
