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“I see you’ll do just fine here. Maybe give Rex a run for his money. I was worried for nothing it seems.” Ethan huffs out an amused breath before walking away. He suddenly stops and raps his knuckles on the wall of my cubicle.

Clickety clack.It almost sounds villainous.

“I was going to tell you something important…but being so prideful and prejudiced, I forgot to think about anyone other than myself. I think I’ll wait for you to find out on your own.”

His gaze flashes with victory before he strides away, silent as a phantom, leaving me completely befuddled.

The asshole.

How is he related to Taylor and Grace? And why am I smiling? Dammit.We don’t like assholes, Lexy. Repeat after me. No assholes.

Groaning, I turn back to my laptop and review the introductory emails. Most of the background info is familiar because I did my research before coming in, wanting to prepare myself as best as I could.

I remember being pleasantly surprised at this drive I had for work. I don’t recall having this much direction in high school, but maybe I discovered a passion in the years I’ve forgotten. Dr. Riordan did say my brain matured while I was asleep.

Either way, it’s a win, and I’ll take it.

My laptop pings and I look up, surprised to see half an hour has passed by already. It’s time for the meeting with my new boss.

Squaring my shoulders, I walk to the corner office and knock on the closed door.

“Come in. Your god awaits you.”

I snort, recognizing Rex’s carefree voice, and enter the room. The man in question leans back in his leather chair, hands clasped behind his head, wearing the biggest shit-eating grin on his face.

“Welcome, welcome. You may kneel at my feet.” He waggles his brows.

Laughing, I roll my eyes. It’s easy to see why Felicity and the other folks all love him. “Do you do this with all your employees or just me?”

He tsks. “Equal opportunity lover, but HR tells me I’m not allowed to say that. Although, you may get some special treatment, being Charles’s sister and all.”

“Hold on—I don’t want special treatment. That’s why I’m working here—”

“Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Calm down.” He leans forward, the earlier jovial expression wiped off his face. This is the other side of him we don’t normally see. “All jokes aside, we wouldn’t have hired you if we didn’t think you could succeed here. I know life has been stressful—thought I’d break the ice on your first day.”

My skin heats and I bite my lip. “Sorry. I’m sensitive to people treating me like I can’t make it on my own.”

“I can’t imagine what you’ve been through,” he murmurs, his dark eyes softening. “For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing a great job with everything. Many people would’ve cracked by now.”

Knock. Knock.

The door opens a second later.

“I’m late, guys. So sorry.” Lana brushes in, her long dark brown tresses flying behind her. She pulls out a chair next to me and sits down, her distinct rose perfume wafting to my nostrils.

She smiles. “So, Lexy, how has your first day been? Settling in all right?”

Lana is only a few years older than me and is beautiful, accomplished, everything I want to become.

“It’s been great. Can’t complain. Hold on.” I eye the siblings and crinkle my forehead. “This can’t be normal—twoC-suite members meeting with me, an intern, on her first day? What’s going on?”

Lana grimaces before plastering on what I’m sure is a very practiced smile for her Chief of Public Relations role. “Well, no sense in beating around the bush then. The truth is, we need your help.”

What?

“I don’t understand. This is my first day. What type of help do you need from me? I’ll do it, but I’m just confused.”

Rex clears his throat. “You’ve heard of The Strata, right?”