Page 25 of Miss Trust

She didn’t have to sound so disgusted by the idea. “For the record, I’ve yet to have any complaints.” Jesus. Was my inner twenty-year-old compelled to get defensive?

“Yeah, you ever stick around long enough to ask?”

Nope. But I didn’t like the direction of the conversation, so I changed the subject. “You’ll be working with Carmen tonight. She’ll let you know what she needs you to do.” The result should be interesting as my accounting manager was a ball buster who didn’t take shit from anyone. I could think of nothing more amusing than pairing her up with my sharp-tongued new assistant.

I purposefully took Tory up the private elevator to my office, thus bypassing the public club floors. Having her here would cause enough buzz as it was. Frankly, I didn’t feel like getting into the details of our arrangement.

Carmen glanced up from her desk when we walked in.

“Carmen, this is Victoria,” I told her. “She’ll be assisting you tonight with the audit in any way you need her.”

My eyes cut to Tory, expecting some attitude, but there was none. Good. This was my turf. If she demanded work, then she would work. “I’ll leave you two.”

I spent the next three hours immersed in business, which included two international phone calls. Vegas also needed my attention as my manager there wasn’t strong enough. I needed to find someone who could handle the job.

I was about to find an excuse to check on Tory when the knock came at the door. “Enter.”

It was Carmen. “Have a few minutes?”

“Of course. Let me guess. Tory is being a pain in the ass. Look, you don’t know the full story, but I very much appreciate you babysitting her tonight.”

She shook her head, mystified. “What are you talking about? Tory is lovely. Smart, and eager to help in any way she can. I was about to ask if it’s possible to have her for the week. She indicated the decision was up to you.”

I stared at her. “You’re joking. She didn’t give you any attitude? Lace every word with sarcasm? Fight you at every turn?”

Carmen shook her head. “Not at all. She’s very nice.”

“Nice like a piranha.”

She flashed a grin. “Ever consider it’s you she doesn’t like, boss?”

It shouldn’t have bothered me. I had plenty of people who didn’t like me, so what was one more?

“You plan to tell me what the deal is with you two?”

“Nope.”

She grinned, aware it was useless to press me for information I wasn’t willing to give. “She’s gorgeous.”

“You’re married, and she’s straight.”

“I’m happily married, but it doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a beautiful woman. Especially one who isn’t enamored by you.”

“I doubt anything enamors Victoria Larson,” I muttered.

Carmen didn’t bother to hide her smirk. “Huh.”

“What?”

She shrugged. “Nothing.”

“Spit it out, Carmen.” There weren’t many people I was candid with, but she was one of them.

“I think she’s gotten under your skin. Can’t say I’ve ever seen that before.”

Can’t say I’d ever felt that before, either. “It’s temporary, but I’m glad she’s working out for you. If she says she’s available for the nights you want her, then I have no problem with her coming into the club. I’m heading to Vegas tomorrow.”

“Firing the manager?”