Page 10 of Dirty Little Secrets

I wince as Kristina gently cleans the wound. “I can’t believe he did this,” she mutters. “You would’ve needed stitches if it had gone any deeper.”

“He was angry. I honestly didn’t think he’d turn violent or I would have left sooner.”

Her eyes flash. “Angry is an understatement.” She presses the bandage into place and wraps my arm. “The man chased you down the stairs, Nori. You should have gone straight to the cops.”

“He did.” I glance down at the dressing remembering his footsteps behind me. “But it’s over now. He hasn’t called or texted. I think he got the picture.”

Kristina snaps the medical kit shut and stows it beneath the office sink in the break-room. “I still think you should go to the cops.”

I shake my head. “What would that even do? Cops barely help domestic violence victims. Husbands get away with shit all the time. Restraining orders don’t do shit. And Landon... he’s never hit me before.”

“But he chased you, Nori. And that vase? It might as well have been a weapon.”

I nod slowly. “If I went to the police, what would I say? That my ex got mad I was leaving and threw something that he owns? That he chased me down the stairs? He’d twist it around.

He’d say I came back to start a fight. If they believed me, great—he could possibly get arrested.

But then what? He bails out. Makes my life hell.

Gets me fired. Hurts me. I’ve seen what people are capable of when they feel like they’ve lost control. ”

I can’t tell her the real reason. The last thing I need is to alert Brent I went to the cops. I’ll have more problems than just Landon. If he got wind, I might as well pack my shit and head to Seattle and be a club whore. He would think I’m ratting him out.

She crouches next to me. “You don’t have to do this alone.”

“I know. And I’m not. I left. That’s what matters.”

Kristina checks the time. “You’ve got five minutes until you meet with Drazen.”

The name alone sends a flutter through my chest. I grab my blazer and the folder Kristina printed out for me. “Do you think he knows?”

She raises an eyebrow. “About you replacing his secretary?”

“Yeah.” I pull my sleeve down to hide the bandage.

Kristina shrugs. “It was last minute. Maybe she didn’t tell him or maybe he doesn’t care and like the idea. He would have sent an email otherwise. Emma said you’re a good fit and he wouldn’t go against the Ai he created. It would go against his work.”

It shouldn’t matter. I’m qualified. Sort of.

I’m not a secretary, but I understand business and tech.

I’m not in over my head… not really. What he doesn’t know is that I hacked the Ai to choose me.

It was the only way I could get access. It’s only a matter of time before Brent seeks me out.

It’s almost been a year since I’ve moved to New York and I’ve barely scratched the surface.

But now, it’s him I’m worried about. The thought of being close to Xaiden Drazen, one-on-one, makes causes my stomach to flip.

The elevator dings open on the fiftieth floor. My stomach twists. Everything about this floor screams power. Glass walls, black leather furniture, sharp lines, and zero clutter. A huge upgrade compared to the cubicles on the fifth floor.

I follow the hallway to the double doors not needing to know where his office is. His name gleams in gold: Xaiden Drazen, CEO, Drazen Enterprises .

I don’t let myself hesitate. I knock twice.

“Come in,” his deep voice calls.

I step inside. The skyline stretches behind him in a flood of daylight. But he steals all the air in the room. Dark tattoos crawl over his throat. His sleeves are rolled, revealing ink on his forearms.

His gaze is as sharp as his suit when his brows pull together. “Are you lost?”

I don’t move, offering the folder. “No,” I say quickly. “I’m your new secretary.”

He places his elbows on the desk, one palm facing up. “It would help if you came closer.”

I step up to his desk. My legs unsteady. My pulse is a mess.

He takes the folder, flipping it open. “Nori Summers,” he says, reading my name like it’s a challenge. Like he doesn’t already know. “And what exactly are you here to do, Nori?”

My throat dries. “I’ll be taking over as your secretary.”

His eyes flicker up. “Are you.”

He leans forward. “And what skills do you bring that would make you qualified to be my secretary?”

I lick my lips knowing he’s testing me. “I have a bachelor’s in business and an associate in IT. I’m also certified in ethical hacking.”

One brow lifts. “And that helps to schedule meetings how?”

“I know how to use a computer. And a phone.”

He studies my resume like it’s an expired receipt. Still hasn’t offered me a seat or seem impressed with what he sees.

“Is that all you know how to use?”

“Depends on what it is,” I say, voice even.

He leans back, studies me. Not like I’m an object. Not like I’m a woman. But like I’m a problem he’s trying to solve.

“This job isn’t nine to five,” he says. “It’s not report-writing behind a screen. You’ll travel. Stay late. Be available when I call. No excuses.”

“Understood.”

“I don’t care about boyfriends or birthdays. If you can’t keep up, say so now.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend. And that won’t be a problem.”

He nods once. “How about children? Do you have any of those you would need to pick up or drop off somewhere?”

What a dick but I get where he’s coming from. A businessman like him needs someone efficient.

“No.”

“Good.” He closes the folder. “Your desk is outside. My schedule, login, and requirements are in a folder to the right with my name on it. I expect you to read them.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“Don’t make me regret this.”

“I won’t.”

“Also,” he adds, “I’m doubling your salary. And I’m assigning you a driver when you stay past 5 pm. I don’t like my secretary walking home or taking the subway late in this city.”

I blink. “Thank you. That’s... incredibly generous.”

He nods once dismissing me.

I step out of the office and collapse into the seat behind my new desk. I grab my phone.

Nori: Thank you, Kristina. I got it.

Kristina: Of course you did. Is he still hot in person like he is online?

Nori: He’s intimidating. And kind of a dick.

Kristina: I bet it’s huge.

Nori: The salary?

Kristina: The one between his legs.

Nori: I wouldn’t know.

Kristina: Chicken.

Nori: He’s my boss.

Kristina: Aaaand.

And he’s currently standing behind me.

The tiny hairs on my neck stand up. The exotic note of Calabrian bergamot hits my senses. My stomach drops. I stuff my phone into my purse and close my eyes refusing to look up.

He clears his throat. Leaving me know choice, I look up slowly. He’s towering over my desk, arms crossed.

My gaze catches on the X at his throat before I manage, “I’m sorry, Mr. Drazen.”

He doesn’t smile. “Get to work, Ms. Summers. I don’t pay you to gossip.”

He turns and walks back into his office.

I groan and sink lower in my chair. So much for first impressions. But all I can think about is that he called me by my last name and not my first. And how badly I want to hear it again.