Chapter 12 - Viktor #2
The bitterness in her voice was raw and honest, and it made something twist uncomfortably in his chest. He’d never really considered what her life had been like over the past four years, how the family that had torn them apart had also been slowly suffocating her dreams and ambitions.
“What if things were different now?” he asked.
“What do you mean?”
He gestured around his office, at the paperwork she’d been examining, at the computers and phones and all the tools of legitimate business operations.
“What if you had the opportunity to use that sharp mind of yours for something more than planning dinner parties? What if you could actually work, contribute, be more than just a protected asset?”
She stared at him like he’d suggested they take up synchronized swimming. “Viktor, what are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about offering you a job.”
“A job. Here. Working for you.”
“Working with me,” he corrected. “You clearly have the analytical skills, you understand the business from both sides of the equation, and you’ve got insights into operations that I might miss because I’m too close to them.”
“You’re serious.”
“Dead serious. I need someone I can trust to review contracts, audit financial statements, and identify potential problems before they become actual problems. Someone smart enough to spot the kind of discrepancies you just caught, but discrete enough to handle sensitive information.”
She was quiet for a long moment, and he could see her mind working, considering the possibilities and the risks.
“What would I actually be doing?” she asked finally.
“Financial analysis, contract review, due diligence on new ventures. Nothing illegal, nothing that would put you in danger. Just using your brain to help me run a cleaner, more efficient operation.”
“And my brothers? My family? They’d never approve of me working, especially not for you.”
“Your family doesn’t get a vote. You’re a Nikolai now, remember? Your loyalty is to me, not to them.”
The words came out harsher than he’d intended, but they had the desired effect. He saw her spine straighten, saw the spark of defiance light up in her hazel eyes.
“You really think I could do it?” she asked. “I don’t have any real business experience outside of what I learned growing up. No MBA, no formal training...”
“You just identified two major red flags in financial documents that my trained accountants missed. You understand the industry, you know how to spot bullshit, and you’re not afraid to ask questions when things don’t make sense.
” He leaned back against his desk, studying her face.
“Plus, you’re bored out of your mind playing housewife, and I need someone I can trust to watch my back in the boardroom. ”
“Are you sure this isn’t just pity? Poor little Anka, trapped in her golden cage, let’s throw her some busy work to make her feel useful?”
“Anka, if this were pity, I’d buy you a charity board position or set you up with some meaningless consulting gig. I’m offering you real work with real responsibilities because I think you can handle it, and because my business would benefit from your involvement.”
She was quiet again, but he could see the wheels turning in her mind. The part of her that had been suffocated for years was awakening, responding to the possibility of purpose, challenge, and independence.
“I’d want to start small,” she said finally. “Maybe part-time, see how it goes. And I’d want to learn everything properly, not just fake my way through it.”
“Done. We’ll start by reviewing contracts and financial statements, teaching you the systems, and giving you time to find your feet. If you hate it or if it doesn’t work out, no harm done.”
“And if I love it?”
He smiled, recognizing the hunger in her eyes. It was the same look she’d had when she talked about art, about books, about anything that engaged her mind and challenged her intellect.
“Then we’ll figure out how to make you indispensable.”
She stood up, walking over to the windows to stare out at the city lights that were just beginning to flicker on in the gathering dusk.
“This is crazy,” she said.
“Most of the best ideas are.”
“My brothers are going to lose their minds.”
“Let them. You’re not their property anymore.”
She turned back to face him, and for the first time since their wedding day, he saw real excitement in her expression. Hope mixed with determination and just a hint of rebellion.
“Okay,” she said. “Let’s do it.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. But I have conditions.”
“Name them.”
“I want to be treated like any other employee. No special considerations because I’m your wife, no easier assignments because I’m a woman. If I fuck up, tell me. If I’m not pulling my weight, fire me.”
“Agreed.”
“And I want to earn my place here. No nepotism, no handed-down responsibilities. I start at the bottom and work my way up based on merit.”
“Also agreed. Anything else?”
She grinned, and it was the first completely genuine, unguarded smile he’d seen from her since their wedding.
“When do I start?”