Page 177 of Sexting His Assistant

I roll my eyes.

A man approaches before I can respond. He’s in his sixties, with white hair, a deep tan, and the satisfied posture of someone who’s never had to check the price of anything in his life.

“Luka,” he says warmly. “Good to see you alive and attending events again.”

My fingers tighten around the champagne glass.

Luka does not react. “Rajan.”

The man smiles at me. “And this is?”

Before Luka answers, I brace myself.

“Nina Hale,” Luka says. “My executive staff. She manages a great deal more than anyone admits.”

I look at him.

That was not what he said outside.

It is still professional, still safe, still within the rules, but there’s enough respect in it that the sting in my chest eases despite my best efforts.

Rajan’s eyebrows lift with genuine interest. “Then I should speak to her instead of you.”

“You would get better answers,” Luka says.

I nearly choke on my champagne for the second time in three minutes.

Rajan laughs. “I like her already.”

“She has that effect,” Luka says.

My face heats.

He moves us along before I can glare at him properly.

“Was that necessary?” I ask under my breath.

“Yes.”

“You nearly sounded proud.”

“I was being accurate.”

“Dangerous habit.”

“I’m trying new things.”

I glance up at him, and for one moment, the room fades a little around the edges. He’s looking at me in a way he should not be looking at me here, not in public, not when I just told him how much secrecy matters.

Then his gaze shifts past me.

His face changes.

It’s subtle, but I feel it in the hand at my back before I see it in his expression.

“What?” I ask.

“Nothing.”