Chapter 03

QUINN

Q. That was what I requested everyone to call me. They attempted to call me Daniella but I was never responsive when they did. I still wasn't used to the name. They even tried calling me Danny which made me cringe. It reminded me too much of my brother. So, I told them to call me Q - since my last name was meant to be Quinzel. Father did one thing right. Q was something I actually responded to since my brother had called me that since birth.

"Q, you can't let him use you as his verbal punching bag or as a literal one. I swear, if he touches a single hair on your body he's a dead man," my brother made a sound at the back of his throat that sounded awfully similar to a growl. His protective instincts always controlled him, "what if that mug had hit you? What would you have done?"

I looked at my twenty-eight-year-old brother on the screen of my laptop, thinking over his question. He looked a lot like our father with the same blue eyes we all shared. He and dad shared the same dirty blond hair as well but Daniel had mom's features, just more masculine. Long face, sharp jaw, full lips.

With a sigh, I finally answered his question, "Probably run out of the office crying and never look back. Then I'd let you deal with him because you wouldn't listen if I told you to leave it alone."

"You're probably right but you're my baby sis, you don't expect me to let him do something like that and not break his fucking hands," he then grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, "Look, I'm not saying punch the guy in the family jewels. I'm just saying that you need a backbone or else everyone is just going to walk all over you."

"I know but he's so intimidating and when he's in a bad mood it's like all I want to do is let the ground swallow me whole," I ran my fingers through Venus' fur and pouted my lips.

She whined, giving me her puppy dog eyes. Just as promised, I had taken her to the park for two hours. Now, she was tuckered out, laying on top of me as I stroked her back.

"Sis, if you show him you can stand up for yourself he will be a lot less tough on you," Daniel murmured, running a hand through his dirty-blond locks, "trust me, I'm only looking out for you. I would come beat his ass up but you know father would get his panties in a twist."

"Danny," I chastised, glaring at him playfully, "you know that's never stopped you before."

"True, but everything is going according to his plan and he would flip if I ruined it. I may not like that he's using you as a pawn right now but I can't say it's not helping us."

I rolled my eyes, "I'll be fine, you need to stop worrying about me."

"Impossible," he said pointedly, "remember, don't tell dad I phoned or he might lose his shit. We weren't supposed to be talking because apparently, I'll blow your cover."

"You will if I keep complaining to you and you actually come here to beat the guy up," I grinned mischievously, "anyway, you're coming to the ball right? I mean, you have to."

"Yeah, I'll be there. Mom's going crazy around the house preparing for it. She's already got your dress and everything waiting in your room. Dad mentioned Gunnar being there so mom got you a mask that covers like half the left side of your face in black lace and crystals. Let's hope he doesn't see the uncovered half and recognize you," my brother said.

"Awesome, do you have a date?" I wiggled my brows at him with a sly smirk pulling up the corners of my lips, "if you do, make sure she's not bat shit crazy like the last one. We don't need another front-page picture of a drunk girl attempting to strip naked at one of mom's elite parties."

"That was a one-time thing," he held his hands up in mock surrender, "and I never saw her after that night. But no, I don't have a date. I'm taking a break from all things female — besides you." Venus popped her head into the frame and barked which made us laugh, "and you too, Venus. What about you, do you have a date?"

"As if," I snorted. With everything going on how would I snag myself a date, "I'm going to be there alone so I get leave as early as possible."

"No, you won't be leaving me there to deal with these rich assholes by myself," he warned, pointing a finger at me, "it's only fair, as siblings, that if I have to do this happy family charade then so do you."

"We are happy, it's not much of a charade. Sure, you and dad have your issues but you still accepted dad's offer to take on the family business someday. He may not say it but I know he's proud of you," I wished my brother was here in person so I could wrap my arms around him and feel his warm embrace.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't you dare get soft on me with that sappy shit, little sis. I have a meeting tomorrow morning so I'll speak to you soon," he gave me a goofy grin and we said our goodbyes before ending the call.

Shutting the laptop off, I placed it on the coffee table and shifted Venus off me. I thought about telling my father or at least my brother about Gunnar's plans to approach Asher at the ball but I didn't know how. Part of me felt bad that we had taken away most of his major contracts this month. It probably wouldn't hurt my dad's company if Gunnar took this contract back.

I truly didn't know what to do. This was a dog eat dog world. There was no time to show sympathy toward a competitor because that would leave them with the upper hand to take advantage of you. But, at the same time, everyone deserved their slice of cake. Everyone deserved their chance to make money. Being a business person — man or woman — meant you had to be ruthless. Being someone working on Wall Street meant you had to be ruthless and have no morals because those were easily bought.

That was one of the major reasons I wanted nothing to do with my father's business — or any business for that matter. Teaching was something I always wanted to do. I loved children. It wasn't about the money for me but the joy that came out of it. I could go home at the end of each day and know that I somehow impacted some child's life, even if the impact wasn't great.

I turned my attention to Venus who sat on the floor with her favorite chew toy. It was basically a pink ball that had a drawing of teeth on it. If she chewed it in just the right way it looked as if she were grinning at me, "Venus, do you think Gunnar would like you? He looks like a man that hates nice things."

Venus dropped her chew toy and barked happily. If she had a tail I bet it would have been wagging. I could almost picture her telling me something along the lines off 'Of course he'll like me. I'm cute as fuck'.

Even after two months of being his assistant I didn't know what the man did during his spare time, if he even had spare time considering how much he worked. Everything he did revolved around work. I couldn't help but wonder if he did the normal things. Like watched tv or if he was active on social media. He had a face and a name that would make him popular on every platform but I couldn't picture him as a guy who would take pictures to post.

No, that honestly sounded like too much fun for a brooding guy like him.

It was the dial tone of my work phone that had my heart almost leaping out of my chest. Only one person had that number so I knew instantly who it was. With a grumble, I looked at Venus and said, "Wonder what the Devil wants at this hour," then I answered the call as politely as possible, remembering to use the right name when doing so, "Daniella Quinzel speaking, who am I speaking to?"

"Miss Quinzel," came Gunnar's response. He sounded very unimpressed and, as usual, bored, "Mr. Minnette had showed me his designs today for one of his clients."

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion, feeling frown lines etch themselves onto my forehead, "I'm sorry but I'm not sure I know who you're speaking of."

He sighed in what sounded liked deep frustration, voice turning deeper as he said, "Jaxon Minnette, ring any bells?"

Face palming myself due to my stupidity, I quickly said, "Oh, what about his designs?"

"He had mentioned that you had helped him with it," Gunnar mused in what sounded like disbelief.

Was it truly unbelievable that I could do something?

"I guess, I just pitched him an idea. The rest of the design is completely his own," I muttered softly. Again, I had no reason to blush but my blood just decided it would heat up and pool in my cheeks.

"The idea you pitched him is a good one. I'm looking at the designs right now and I must say, it's probably something even I would live in," he cleared his throat, probably realizing how much of praise he was showering me with.

I couldn't help but grin stupidly. Hell must have frozen over for this man to say a single nice thing to me. I didn't want that ice to chip away just yet so I made sure to tread carefully as I said, "Thank you, sir."

I heard him let out a heavy breath before speaking again, "I was wondering if you could come in early tomorrow. Maybe you could give me your input on my design for Asher's resort."

"Uh," my eyes widened and my jaw sat comfortably on the concrete floor of my apartment. Gunnar Astor, my boss, just phoned to ask me for my help? Was I dreaming?

"You'll get paid overtime, Miss. Quinzel so you don't have to worry about that," he said, sweetening the deal further. This actually sounded as if it could be fun.

"I wasn't thinking about the money," I answered honestly. I was actually thinking of how I would use this as my chance to get close to him and learn a few of his secrets, "I don't mind coming in early. Around what time should I be there, sir?"

"How does around six sound?" He quizzed as if my opinion on the time to meet mattered to him.

"Six? Sure, I guess that's fine," I gulped, looking at the time on my phone's screen before bringing it to my ear again. It was already ten. To make it in time I needed to be in bed pronto. That left me wondering how Gunnar would make it on time tomorrow when he was still busy working. Before I could stop myself the words were already falling out of my mouth, "Shouldn't you be heading home, sir?"

There was a moment of silence that passed between us and I internally cursed myself for opening my mouth. Then he finally spoke and I felt like kicking my ass when I heard his reply, "I don't see how that concerns, Miss Quinzel. Make sure to be on time tomorrow morning. I don't like waiting." With that, he ended the call.

Well, goodnight to you too, Dipshit!

Nodding toward the bedroom, I called to Venus, "Let's go pick out tomorrow's dress, Venus. Mommy can't afford to get shouted at so early in the morning by that mean guy just because of my dressing."

She cocked her cute head to the side, barked, and then waddled after me into the bedroom so I could prepare myself for the next day.