Page 97 of Sins (The Sins Trilogy 1)
She cocks an eyebrow. “Me?” she says. “What about you? Z always needs people, doesn’t it?”
“She doesn’t know how to bartend.” Even if she did, it wouldn’t matter. I’m not having a bunch of drunkards come on to her.
“It can’t be that hard to learn. Besides, it probably pays better than the foundation. Customers tend to be generous, especially if you know how to flirt.”
My teeth clench involuntarily.
“Guess that isn’t what you want,” Elizabeth says, smiling. “Fine. I’ll do it, provided she can handle the office work and is trainable. I need a new assistant anyway. But it’s going to cost you.”
“Of course.” I start to pull out my checkbook.
Leaning across the desk, she puts a hand over mine. “No.”
“No?” I don’t know what she could want more than a sizable check to fund some new cause.
“I want you to make up with Ryder.”
Of all the ludicrous crap…“He has nothing to do with this.”
She leans forward and says in a low, steady voice, “Anthony, he would never have approached Lauren if he’d known. He isn’t that kind of guy. If he were, the two of you would’ve never been friends.”
I’m surprised she knows so much. Did Ryder tell her everything?
“He should’ve been more careful, but you know deep inside he didn’t do it on purpose. If you didn’t, you would’ve done everything in your power to wreck what he had with Paige instead of backing off when you did.”
I hate the way she tries so hard to make me into a nice, reasonable man. “I got busy and lost interest,” I say coolly. “Otherwise, you don’t know what kind of scandal I could’ve created for him. Or Paige.”
“Anthony…just imagine how you would feel if you made a mistake and the other person absolutely refused to forgive you.”
Her statement is like a blade digging into an old wound. “I’m not here to discuss Ryder with you, Elizabeth,” I say, my voice frigid.
She shakes her head. “You’re such a stubborn man.”
I give her a bored look, unwilling to negotiate further. I don’t care what she calls me as long as I get what I want. A job for Iris, so she can move out of Byron’s penthouse. I’d offer her my own place if I thought she’d take it, but that’s premature.
There’s another reason as well, but I dare not contemplate it, not within this building. That Russian of Elizabeth’s can probably read minds.
Elizabeth waves a hand. “Fine. I’ll hire her, provided there isn’t anything weird in her background. But she has to apply. I can’t just offer a job to someone without going through the right procedures.”
“Fair enough.” I hand her a check. “A small token of my thanks.”
“I’m not doing it for money.”
“I need a tax deduction this year.” And I hate owing people, especially someone related to Ryder. I place it on her desk and stand. Since nothing makes her happier than feeding the poor and hungry, the donation should placate her even if I don’t make up with her brother.
Without touching the check, she gives me an even look. “You’re an impossible man, Anthony.”
“You’re a meddlesome woman, Elizabeth.” I study her mild irritation with amusement, then, out of impulse, add, “And you really should call me Tony.”
