An American Cinderella

Audrey had me in a bind. If I did anything to compromise her, she would ruin my father and my reputation.

I scanned in another document and bit my lip. This one was on her list. It had to do with the mineral availability in the country. My stomach twisted. I finished the document and set it on the table next to my phone. All I had to do was take a picture of it. That was it. One photo and my father’s legacy was safe.

I picked up my phone.

“Aria?” Jaqui knocked on my door. I nearly screamed.

“Jaqui!” I felt physically ill. Two seconds difference and she would have seen me taking a photo of the document. I needed to be more careful.

“You okay?” Jaqui asked, looking concerned.

“You just startled me is all.” I set my phone down on the desk, pointedly not looking at the document. “What’s up?”

“You have a visitor.” Jaqui’s mouth pinched. “And not the good kind.”

Oh God. The FBI already knew. I hadn’t done anything yet, but somehow they knew.

“Who?” I managed to keep my voice from shaking too badly.

“Your stepmom.” Jaqui grimaced. “I can’t let her up here. Given that she would do just about anything to get at this, I can’t trust her in your office. You’ll have to go down to her.”

“Right. Right.” I nodded. “I’ll do that.”

“Are you sure you’re okay? You look really pale.”

“I’m fine. I probably just need some coffee or something.” I stood up from my desk. “I’ll go see what she wants.”

“I can’t believe she came here,” Jaqui said, crossing her arms. “Seriously, don’t let her anywhere near your office. I don’t trust her an inch.”

“Believe me, I won’t.” Guilt gnawed at my stomach. Jaqui trusted me. She trusted me not to give these documents over to Audrey.

And I was about to betray that trust. It was a good thing I hadn’t eaten much breakfast because I felt like throwing it all up.

I hurried down the stairs to find Gus glaring daggers at Audrey. He stood at his desk, looking intimidating and downright fierce. The temperature was at least ten degrees cooler.

Audrey for her part stood like a model in the center of the room. She was poised like a photographer might snap her high-art photo at any moment. Today she wore a dark green pantsuit that accentuated her thin hips and long lines. It was a lovely outfit, even if it was on an unattractive person.

“Audrey.” I stopped short of her. “What are you doing here?”

“What? I can’t stop by and see my favorite step-daughter at her beloved work?” She smiled, her lips red and flawless.

“What do you want?” I asked, crossing my arms and keeping my distance.

“I haven’t heard from you, dear.” Her voice was warm but her gaze cold as she took a step toward me. “I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m fine,” I replied. “Just haven’t had anything interesting to tell you.”

“Are you on break, dear?” she asked, suddenly changing the subject. “I’m afraid I have some family business to discuss with you. Perhaps we can go to your office?”

There was no way in hell I was letting her near my office. And from the look on Gus’s face, she wouldn’t even make it past the first step if she tried.

“My office is a bit cramped. Perhaps it can wait until later? I can come by your house after work.”

Audrey shook her head and sighed. “I’m afraid not. It has to do with your sister and time is important.”

I remembered that part of our bargain had been that I would also assist Anastasia in doing my old job. Since I hadn’t heard anything, I’d rather hoped that Audrey had just forgotten. Or maybe Anastasia would actually be good at working. It looked like I was wrong.

“There is a little coffee shop just down the street,” I said. “Gus, will you let Jaqui know that I’m stepping out for a moment. I’ll be back in fifteen.”

He nodded. “As long as she doesn’t come back,” he growled so my stepmother couldn't hear.

“That’s the plan,” I muttered under my breath. “Can I borrow your umbrella? Mine’s upstairs.”