Page 42 of Executive Privilege

"I'll have Sangeeta compile the Morrison deliverables for client review," Nicholas says as we reach the parking garage.

"She's on vacation, remember?"

He pauses, running his hand through his hair. "Right. I'll handle the compilation myself."

"I can help with that."

"That won't be necessary."

The dismissal stings more than it should. "Of course. Wouldn't want my work to compromise your standards."

Nicholas stops walking and turns to look at me, something flickering in his expression. "That's not what I meant."

"Isn't it? Or you just don't want to work with me on it anymore."

I think I see a crack in his composure. Then the mask slides back into place.

"Sadie, I think it's best if we keep our interactions strictly professional going forward."

"And what about everything else? The hotel rooms, the cabins, the conversations about things that matter?"

"Those were mistakes."

The word hits like a physical blow. "All of it? Everything was a mistake?"

Nicholas is quiet for a long moment, and I can see him fighting some internal battle. "The professional relationship works, Sadie. It works well. You're brilliant and Event Horizons needs you. Everything else just complicates things unnecessarily."

"God forbid anything complicate your perfectly controlled existence."

"You don't understand—"

"No, I understand perfectly. You're scared. You're scared of caring about someone who might actually stay, so you'd rather push me away first and control the narrative."

"This isn't about fear—"

"Bullshit." The word comes out sharper than I intended, echoing off the concrete walls. "This is entirely about fear. You're terrified that if you let someone close enough to matter, they might disappoint you. So you'd rather stay isolated in your hotel suite and pretend that professional success is enough."

"Maybe it is enough."

"Is it? Because to me it looks like someone who's been alone too long and is tired of pretending he doesn't need anyone."

Nicholas's jaw tightens. "What I need is to focus on Event Horizons and maintain appropriate relationships with my employees."

"So that's what I am now? Just an employee?"

"That's what you've always been."

The lie is so obvious it's almost insulting. "Right."

"Physical attraction doesn't change professional hierarchy."

"And emotional connection? What does that change?"

"There is no emotional connection."

I stare at him, this man who held me in a cabin in Texas and told me about the worst day of his childhood, and I realize he's actually going to stand here and lie to both of us.

"Fine," I say finally. "If that's how you want to play this, fine. Strictly professional it is."