Chapter 28 | Alexis
Alexis
Ireturned home, my body battered, but my resolve strong.
I took my recovery seriously, making sure to get lots of rest so I could heal quickly and move on with my life.
Resting for several days also gave me loads of time to think, and I made several decisions about my future that I was excited to pursue once I felt better.
Mom was an excellent nurse, applying various gels and ointments on my back to ensure my wounds healed. After a few days at home, I was up and about and joining her on one of the treadmills for a thirty-minute walk each day.
Nick had visited me every day, but he remained a bit closed off, and I understood why.
He carried guilt about the explosion and tying me to him in a world where other disasters could happen, and I spent a lot of time fortifying my case for our future.
When we finally sat down for our important discussion, I wanted to ensure I obliterated any reason he had left to push me away.
It was time for us to accept that we were meant to be together. Now that I’d embraced that truth, I didn’t want to waste any more time apart.
A week after returning home, my back had healed nicely, and I barely felt any pain. I was able to sleep on my back, although the side was still more comfortable, but I was happy with the progress I was making.
My energy returned, and I felt empowered to embrace my life and truly start living the version of it that was going to make me happy. The first step was getting Michael on board with my plan.
I waited until he returned home from his morning visit to the docks and knocked on his office door.
“Come in!”
Stepping inside, I grinned. “I need to meet with you, and it might take a while. Should I schedule something on your calendar?”
“No, I’ve got time now.” He waved me in and I closed the door before lowering into one of the leather seats in front of his desk.
His eyebrows lifted as he grinned. “This seems serious.”
“It is, but not in a bad way. At least, I don’t think so.”
“Okay.” He steepled his fingers. “Go for it.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders. “As we discovered over a week ago, you’ve been the victim of some pretty nasty cyber-attacks by a skilled Russian hacker who works for Oskar.”
He nodded, his expression grim.
“In my experience, the only way to combat a skilled hacker is with another skilled hacker.”
His lips curved slightly. “All right. What do you suggest?”
“As you know, I was going to apply for a tech job in the city for some huge company that required all sorts of background checks for me and those I love. That obviously isn’t going to work since I’m very much in love with your cousin, who isn’t the best candidate for having someone dig into his profile. ”
“Agreed.”
“And honestly?” I sat back and gazed out the window. “I don’t want that life when I really think about it.” Returning my gaze to his, I shrugged. “I like it here, with you, Mom and Nick. I don’t really want to leave.”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. We love having you here.”
I arched a brow. “I’m glad to hear you say that, because it’s very in line with my proposal.”
“What proposal is that?”
Leaning forward, I lifted my chin. “You’re going to hire me as your official Director of Digital Security. Your organization’s digital profile is extremely vulnerable, and I’m going to ensure we secure it properly and bring it into the modern age.”
Michael’s eyebrows lifted. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” I said with a nod. “You’re going to pay me two hundred thousand dollars a year to start, which is less than I would earn at Meta or Google,” I said, lifting a finger, “but I’m going to give you a family discount.”
Michael chuckled. “How about two hundred and fifty thousand a year? I don’t want to undervalue you.”
“That’s acceptable,” I said, flashing a cheeky grin. “I’m fine working in your study, although maybe down the road you can renovate it to make it bigger? It’s only got one window, and I like fresh air in the spring.”
“Your mom is all over me to renovate the gym, so I guess I can tack on the study too,” he said, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
“Perfect. I’ll start right away, and I’ll need unlimited resources. I’ll create detailed invoices and ledgers so you’ll have documentation that what I’m purchasing is necessary.”
“Katia will thank you for that,” he said with a nod. “What else?”
Sighing, I lifted my hands. “I don’t know. You’re being very agreeable, and I was ready for a fight.”
Chuckling, he leaned forward and rested his forearms on his desk.
“Why would I fight you on this? You’re right.
I need to modernize my organization if it has any chance of a future.
I’ll warn you that I’m a fair boss, but I ask a lot.
I might need you to help me at offsite locations like the docks or the clubs, and if I ask, I’ll need you to agree without question.
In my line of work, I can’t have employees who question me.
It’s probably not fair, and I’d most likely fail every human resource quality test imaginable, but luckily, we don’t have HR in the mafia. ”
I pursed my lips as I contemplated. “I’m okay following orders that might.
..skirt traditional legality,” I said, searching for the right words, “but I’m not okay doing work that will lead to someone’s harm or death.
I know the lines are blurry in our world, but I hope you can understand that’s a red line I’m unwilling to cross. ”
Michael looked to the ceiling as he pondered.
“Okay, I believe I can honor that request. As you said, things get murky in my business, but opposed to what some might think, I don’t enjoy killing or hurting people, Alexis.
When I have to take those actions, it’s because all other options have failed. ”
“I understand that, and I believe you.”
He nodded. “But I’ll do my best to ensure you don’t cross any lines you’re not comfortable with. That’s a solemn promise that I’ll do my best to keep.”
“Fair enough, and I accept your promise.”
He gave a short nod. “Good. What else?”
My eyes narrowed. “I think that’s it on the business side. Moving on to the personal side...”
“Yes?”
Straightening my spine, I spoke with firm resolve. “I need you to help me convince your very hardheaded cousin that I’m not going anywhere, and he might as well accept that he’s going to marry me so we can get on with our lives.”
Michael’s laughter was laced with joy. The tiny wrinkles beneath his eyes crinkled, making him look handsome as he shook his head. “Of course, I’ll help you, but I don’t think it’s going to take much convincing. He’s crazy about you.”
I bit my lip. “He’d better be.”
Michael chuckled.
“And I need you to forgive him for not telling you. That was my fault,” I said, tapping my chest. “He didn’t want us to sneak around, and I asked him to keep it a secret while I figured stuff out.”
Michael leaned back in his chair and lifted a hand. “I realized that pretty soon after he told me. I’m in love with a very stubborn woman myself, so I understand how difficult it is to argue with you.”
Laughter burst from my throat. “It’s impossible. I almost feel sorry for him.” I lifted a finger. “Almost.”
“His life with you isn’t going to be boring. I can give you that.” His features turned genuine above his glowing smile. “I’m very happy for you both. Nick has been alone for much of his life, and I tried to fill that void, but I can only do so much. He’s a good man who deserves to be loved.”
“He’s the best man I’ve ever known,” I said softly. “I’m honored to be with him and to be part of your family.”
Michael rose and walked around the desk, pulling me into a tight hug.
“I know you’ll take care of him,” he said into my hair.
Drawing back, he gripped my upper arms. “And I’m grateful to have you on board as my Director of Digital Security.
Thank you for choosing to stay. I know it couldn’t have been an easy choice. ”
“Honestly? It was the easiest choice I’ve ever made.”
Michael tenderly kissed my forehead and cupped my jaw. “He’s probably home working out if you were wondering.”
“Oh, I know,” I said, waggling my eyebrows. “He’s next on my list.”
Michael patted my arm. “I’ll talk to Katia today and figure out how to get you onboarded so we can pay you legitimately.”
“Thank you. I’m excited to get started and take down that Russian asshole.” Giving a salute, I breezed from the office, ready to tackle my last task of the day: convincing Nick Caruso to stop fighting me and marry me instead.