Page 68

“That’s my job.”
“Right.” I tap my fingers against the side of my leg. “Your job.”
“Is that all, sir?”
I face the man my father trusted more than anyone. The man who should have retired but came back to the company after I begged him. It was torment enough that I didn’t have dad to bounce ideas off of, I needed Mosely there to support.
“Yes.”
He dips his chin once, his face strangely clear of expression. That’s not the Mosely I know. He’s jittery, nervous, over-analytic. But right now, he’s doing his best to not show his emotions on his face.
I should call him back, ask him to verify what I’m already suspicious of.
But I don’t.
I believe in my niece.
Talia is not a gremlin.
She’s the sweet, misunderstood daughter I never had and what happened today is never going to happen again.
* * *
My week gets busy at the office. In the evenings, I make time for Talia, picking her up from school everyday and giving her my undivided attention.
I could get a nanny. Mosely’s already hinted as much.
It’s a sacrifice giving so much time to my niece, but I refuse to hire help.
Part of the reason is because I promised Lucy. My sister was worried I’d be too focused on work to give Talia what she deserves. The other reason is the one I don’t acknowledge because admitting it might tarnish the view I have of my niece.
It’s not until the following week that I have time in my schedule for a proper ASL lesson.
“I’m sorry it took so long to get back to you,” I say, giving Athena a pair of slippers to walk in the house. “We’re in the middle of business negotiations for a tech company and my niece is staying with me, so we’ve both been adjusting. My schedule’s all over the place. Oh, watch out.” I point to the drone that Athena was about to step on.
“What’s that?”
“One of the perks of investing in a government tech facility.” I wink and open the door to my office. She steps past me, her heels clicking on the ground. I open the window, letting in the waning sunlight. “Do you want tea, water, coffee?”
“I’m fine.” She dips her chin once.
I open the mini fridge and select a water bottle for myself. While I drink, I notice Athena gazing around my office.
She doesn’t look impressed.
Not that I expect someone like her to be impressed easily.
Athena Armstrong is the embodiment of a career woman. The CEO of one of the largest ASL interpreter agencies in this part of the Americas, she has a presence in major cities with plans to expand into AI.
I paid handsomely for her to be my personal interpreter that day on the mountain, and that contract included fees for private lessons.
“You said you only have an hour?” She checks her watch.
“My niece is at school doing a group project. She’ll text me when she’s ready.”
Athena nestles her purse beside her as she takes a seat. “Then let me make this quick. Mr. Sullivan—”
“Please. Call me Dare.”