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Banks’ expression tightened. “Very well.”
I tensed when he moved some things around his desk, a furrow appearing between his brows. Then he produced a pen and placed it on top of the stack of papers. He pushed them in Martha’s direction and gave her an expectant look. She drew the papers closer to her and leaned forward.
I didn’t want to take my eyes off of Banks for a second.
In case he tried anything.
“This is the contract Tiffany showed me,” Martha realized after a brief silence. “I’ve been over it already.”
“Yes, but you didn’t sign, Ms. Auden.” Banks gestured to the pen and sat up straighter, early morning light filtering in behind him and giving him a bright, golden glow. Although he was trying to be civil and keep his distance, I had a feeling it had more to do with me being there and less to do with him honoring his word.
Since I’d known men like him my whole life, I didn’t believe for one second that he had actually changed. Instead, I knew he was trying to reel Martha back in by giving her what she wanted and biding his time. Before long, he was going to strike again, and if I wasn’t there to stop him, Martha was going to have to bear the consequences.
She needed to walk away.
No money in the world was worth this kind of blackmail.
But I couldn’t make her, and I had a feeling offering her the money myself wouldn’t go well.
Martha flipped the page and skimmed it. “There’s nothing here about the salary increase we talked about.”
Banks lifted his chin. “This is all standard stuff, Ms. Auden. You should sign the contract so that we can begin.”
Martha glanced up, and her eyebrows knitted together. “Nothing that we talked about yesterday is included in my contract.”
Banks shrugged and didn’t say anything.
“He’s trying to trick you, Martha,” I told her before rising to my feet. “He didn’t actually call because he wanted to make peace and do better. He called because he was desperate and would’ve said anything to get you here.”
“How dare you?”
I pinned him with a look. “You’re going to deny it?”
“Of course, I’ll deny it. You can’t waltz into my office as if you belong here and try to poach my assistant.”
“I can, and I will.” I switched my gaze to Martha, and my expression softened. “If you can’t figure out what an asset she is, then you’re a bigger idiot than I thought. Martha deserves everything you promised and more. I can offer you a job at my company.”
Martha’s mouth fell open. “What?”
I nodded. “With a higher salary, medical insurance for you and your son and social insurance, and a life insurance policy too.”
Martha sat back against her chair, a dazed expression on her face. “I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes, so we can get out of this dump.”
Martha pressed her lips together and didn’t say anything.
Chapter 18
Albin
I couldn’t decide if I wanted to pull Albin to me and kiss him till I was breathless or if I wanted to bury my head in my hands and disappear. All I knew was that as I sat across from them, trying to decide what to do, I had never felt this way before. Initially, I’d been reluctant to let Albin accompany me, knowing it was only going to antagonize Mr. Banks further.
Now, I was beginning to realize that having him there was the smart choice.
Albin had every intention of doing what it took to defend me in all possible ways. There was no doubt in my mind that Mr. Banks wouldn’t try anything with Albin there, and if he did, Albin would not hesitate to leap to my defense. That, along with the fact that he had just chewed Mr. Banks out for not sticking to our new arrangement, was making me feel all kinds of feelings.
Feelings I didn’t want to feel.
