Page 200 of The Marriage Clause

I frown at him. "Found out what?"

"That you got thrown out of your own kingdom."

Damien barks out a laugh. "He's probably celebrating. No more Tin Man emails at three in the morning."

I shove a stack of files into a banker's box. "I haven't actually talked to him properly in a few days."

Levi's brows lift.

"He's busy," I say. "Probably keeping the office standing by himself. He's the only one there who knows how all the pieces fit."

Damien leans in the doorway with his mug. "That is the bleakest compliment I've ever heard."

I don't answer.

The truth is, I haven't had room in my head for Jeremy. Not beyond quick replies and surface logistics. Someone had to keep the tower running while I detonated my life.

That's what assistants are for.

That thought sits wrong. I file it away and keep packing.

"Speaking of jobs," Damien says, setting the mug down. "Come work for me."

I look up.

Levi looks delighted immediately, which is suspicious.

Damien shrugs one shoulder like he didn't just drop a life raft into my living room. "I'm serious."

"Doing what?"

"Anything you want. Consulting. Strategy. Acquisitions. You can glare at people in conference rooms. I’ll even have it turned into a one way mirror so you don’t scare away the amazing talent I’ve brought on over the years. We can build around your strengths."

"My strengths are mostly trust issues and overwork."

"Perfect. You already sound like an executive."

Levi laughs.

Even Archer looks up for that one.

I shake my head and tape another box shut. "Thanks, but no."

Damien studies me. "You sure?"

"I know what you’re trying to do, and I appreciate it… I do. But I need to do this on my own. No hand outs," I look around the room at my other brothers who I know are probably teeing up with their own offer. "...from any of you." I add. "I’ll land on my feet."

The room goes quiet for a second.

Because it's true. I know how to work my ass off. How to out perform my competitors. I did it before the Kauffman curse and I can do it now too. I know who I am without the trust. What I don’t know is how I’ll ever figure out how to move on without Aria. I don’t think it’s possible.

But that's not a sentence I'm saying out loud in a room full of people holding my boxes.

Damien nods once, serious now. "Offer stands."

"Thanks."

He lets it go.