We discussed the last quarter’s numbers, and we had to use Ariel’s paperwork for data. Everything was neatly organized, and I knew it would be difficult to replace her. She’d never made a mistake in the ten years I’d known her.
When we were finished, Pias closed his folder. “Would you like me to begin the process of finding a replacement for Ariel?”
No one could ever replace her. Not just because she was a phenomenal worker, but because she was loyal and trustworthy. Her shoes were simply too big to be filled. “I’m not sure. Don’t even know where to begin.”
“We can start by encouraging people to apply for the position.”
The only reason why Ariel had been made a partner to begin with was because she was the best at what she did. I would never give that position to anyone else. What I needed now was just an assistant who could handle all the tedious and annoying things. “I could use the help, but I’m not looking for another partner.”
“I’ll get on that, sir.”
“Thanks, Pias.”
“Of course.” Pias left the room.
I sat at my desk and dragged my hands down my face, feeling a migraine approach. Instead of taking painkillers, I usually just drank more scotch. But now that I shared my life with the queen sitting upstairs, I had to make some changes.
Losing Ariel was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I felt like someone had ripped out one of my kidneys so my body was required to function with one instead of two. It wasn’t life-threatening, but it was still uncomfortable.
But I couldn’t give up London.
She was the only woman I’d ever had these kinds of feelings for. I thought I’d loved Josephine, but my love for her was nothing compared to what I felt for London. I’d been shot because of her, and I still protected her. When Josephine betrayed me, I stopped giving a damn about her.
London was definitely different.
But Ariel was important to me. She was a family member I assumed would always be there. She and I had a good friendship as well as a business relationship. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
I felt like shit.
But I couldn’t allow Ariel to tell me how to run my business and my personal life. I couldn’t allow her to insult me like that. If I did, she would have more power than I allowed anyone to have.
There was no other option. She had to go.
Now I would have to work longer and harder to make up for Ariel’s absence, but it wouldn’t be too difficult. Once I hired one or two people, everything would slowly return to normal. Ariel couldn’t be replaced, but her necessity could be erased.
Dunbar knocked before he stepped into my office. “Sir, Ariel is here to see you. Should I let her in?”
I stared at him blankly as I processed what he said. “What does she want?”
“Said she forgot a few things.”
“Such as?”
He shrugged. “She didn’t say, and I didn’t think it was my place to ask.”
I shut my laptop and gave a slight nod. “Send her in.”
Dunbar shut the door and disappeared.
My heart began to race, and my fingertips felt numb. No one ever made me feel nervous. Even when Joseph pointed that gun at my chest, I wasn’t nervous. When I lay on the ground with my blood soaking into the rug, my pulse rate didn’t increase.
The door opened again, and Ariel stepped inside. She was in dark jeans and a black t-shirt, casual for the first time ever. Her hair was pulled back into a rigid ponytail, and her glasses were gone. She seemed to be taking her unemployment well.
I rose to my feet and placed my hands in my pockets. “Ariel, how are you?”
“Good.” She stood in front of my desk with her hands held together at her waist. “You?”
“Good,” I lied. “What can I help you with?”
“I left a few things behind. I was wondering if someone could fetch them for me.”
I was stupid for hoping she wanted her job back. Ariel was far more stubborn than I was. I was more likely to fold than she was, and that was never going to happen. We both cared about image, about pride. “Of course. What are they?”
“I left fifteen thousand in your grand safe. I left it there for traveling expenses.”
I’d forgotten about that. “Anything else?”
“Yes. I have some sentimental jewelry in Fair Isle. I’d let Finley mail it back, but I don’t feel comfortable with that arrangement. If you can fly me out there, I can retrieve it myself. Or you could have one of your men escort it here.”
“I’ll arrange for Dimitri to fetch it for you.”
“Thank you.”
I walked around the desk, keeping my shoulders straight. “I’ll be right back with the cash. You can take a seat if you’d like.”