Page 33 of Cruel Titan

“College probably. I’m still not a hundred percent certain what to do.”

“Nothing wrong with that. So, Nathan called me this morning and gave me a lengthy lecture about how I shouldn’t solicit his employees, especially his favorite one, away from him.”

It’s nice to know Nathan will miss me at Vast because right now that’s where I’d prefer to be, even with everything going on. “I love working there but I want to expand my experience a little. Plus, it will be good to have someone to list on my application who’s not married to my mom.”

Victor lets out a rumbling laugh as he shakes his head. “That’s true, but Nathan said he will start kidnapping my employees if I don’t give you the option for a short internship, just for some extra experience.”

“What did you have in mind?”

“Well, we have a major project going on right now that could use an extra hand. It wraps up in the next week or two. You can help out on it, then decide if you want to stay on board with us or go back to Vast. Either way, I appreciate you helping out.”

“I appreciate the opportunity. Thank you.”

“The pleasure is all mine, really, because I have a feeling your presence here will bother more than just Nathan.”

Asher. As suspected, he was willing to bring me on board because he knows as well as I do that Asher won’t like this arrangement. Even more reason to enjoy it. “Other opinions are irrelevant.”

Chuckling, he says, “You are your dad’s daughter.”

The statement catches me off guard, but I quickly recover. He brought it up and I want to find out what I can. Best to not waste this opportunity. “Did you know my dad well?”

Victor pauses, looking to me for a second before rubbing his hand across his face, suddenly serious. “Not as well as I thought, but I recognize that stubbornness and strong will in you.”

Nodding, I want to respond but I’m at a loss for words, unable to speak about my dad without my emotions betraying me.

“Well, you can get started on your day. Go to the third floor, ask for Marsha. They’re expecting you.”

“Thanks.” Hurriedly I stand, happily leaving the office because Victor Hastings scares me in a completely different way than his son.

Relief fills me when I step onto the elevator, making my way to the third floor. There’s a lady sitting in an office to the left when I step off the elevator.

Tapping lightly on the door, I say, “Excuse me. I’m looking for Marsha.”

“You found her.” The lady spins around, surveying me from head to toe as I explain who I am.

“Follow me.” She stands from her chair, walking out of the small office and down the hallway—with yet another camera—as I follow. Pushing a door open, she waves me in. “Have a seat.”

“Okay,” I reply, unsure how to read her, but my eye immediately finds the camera in the room. Every single square inch of this building is under surveillance. I can’t recall one camera throughout the Vast building, but even odder—why is every part of the Ruby Flame building under surveillance aside from Victor’s office?

She plops a stack of papers on the desk, then hands me a stack of envelopes. “Stuff them, then seal them.”

There must be hundreds. “All of them?”

“Yep,” she moves to walk out the office. “Tomorrow will be just as fun.”

“You got it.” Well, this is what I signed up for. Mindlessly stuffing envelopes must be a good distraction from what I’ve gotten myself into. I definitely think I’ll hang out for the “big project” then go back to Nathan. I won’t make any headway here, being watched at every turn, and it doesn’t matter my reasons for being at either place, Vast felt like home.

26

Asher

No one makes an effort to stop me, not because they know I’m Victor’s son but because they are aware it’s pointless. Just like my father, once I have my mind made up, there is no changing it.

The secretary outside of his office doesn’t flinch as I walk by, shoving the door open. “Where is she?”

“Hello, Asher. I figured you’d show up,” Victor smirks, knowing Quinn is a surefire way to torment me. He’s drawn upon a new tactic of using her against me since his old ways failed.

Moving in front of his desk, I press my hands flat against the polished surface. “Torture me all you want, but leave her out of it.”