The top floor for graduate interviews… surely not. My suspicions are confirmed when she leads me through the quiet floor, until we’re standing in front of a corner office — one fit for a CEO.
“You’ll do great,” she tells me as she knocks on the door. “I have no doubt that we’ll be working together soon.”
She opens the door and takes a step back to let me pass. I hesitate, taking a moment to gather my courage and push down the dread that threatens to overwhelm me.
My stride is confident as I walk into the office, finding Silas sitting behind a large black desk. He looks up and smiles politely, his expression completely professional.
I’m nervous as I sit down opposite him, but I’d like to think I managed to keep my cool.
Silas glances at a document in front of him, and I quickly realize that it’s my résumé. “Tell me, why do you think you’d be a good fit for Sinclair Security.”
I stare at him in surprise. Is he serious? He can’t seriously be conducting my interview himself, can he? I force myself to get it together and answer the question the way I practiced.
“I… I’ve followed the growth of Sinclair Security for years now. I’m aware you started with bodyguard services and ended up growing this business to encompass security of all types, including cybersecurity. The research you do and the company’s trajectory is astonishing. I think Sinclair Security will become even more of a powerhouse than it currently is, and I’d love to be part of it.”
It’s true. I truly admire this company and all he’s done with it. It might be near impossible to find information on him online, but I hear the rumors from the industry experts I know. This company is astonishing and barely anyone even knows it even exists. Much to my relief, the interview proceeds in the same fashion, with Silas asking questions I’ve prepared for. For just a few minutes, he makes it easy to forget everything else.
Just when I think I’m in the clear, Silas drops his pen on top of my résumé and stares me down. “Have wanted to work here since before you met Ryan?”
The personal question throws me off. He’s been so professional since I walked in here that he made it easy to forget what he told me. If he doesn’t think I’m good enough to be with his brother, why would he think I’m good enough for his company?
“That’s right,” I tell him, unsure what else to say.
Silas nods. “So you don’t solely want to work here so you get to be with Ryan?”
I grit my teeth in annoyance. I hate this. I hate that so many people assume I’d be nothing without him, that I’ll follow wherever he goes. Ryan is a great guy and I do see a future with him, but that doesn’t mean I’ll forget about my own plans and goals.
“No,” I say, my voice deceptively sweet. Silas Sinclair. I wish I could throw something at him and walk out of his stupid office, but I want this job too badly.
He stares at me, an irritating smile on his face, and it becomes harder to resist temptation. I want to walk away and slam his door as loudly as I can, preferably in his stupid face. Instead, I smile back at him.
He turns his laptop to me, his gaze unreadable once again. “Crack this, and you’re hired. I want the password to this email address within ten minutes.”
I glance at the piece of paper he hands me and frown. [email protected]? He’s asking me to crack his own email address? I bite down on my lip, unsure if he’s giving me a near impossible task just to keep me from joining his firm. The man is an enigma.
“Have you asked this of all applicants?”
Silas smiles. “Yes.”
“Has anyone managed it yet?”
He nods. “One person.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. If it’s possible, then I can do it too.
“Do you interview all applicants yourself?”
He smirks. “Why? Did you think you were special?”
This man. Why does he always get under my skin? Why can’t he just be sweet and kind like Ryan is? The two of them couldn’t be more different.
I grit my teeth and start to type, channeling all my annoyance into my work. This is the one thing I’m good at. I might fail at most things in life, but when it comes to security testing, I never fail.
My heart races as I type and I barely keep from smiling. This doesn’t even feel like work. I could do this all day, just for the hell of it. I love the thrill.
Ten minutes. That’s all the time it takes me. I smirk when Silas’s password is revealed, only for that smile to melt off my face when I realize what it is. Adastraperaspera. Ad astra per aspera. Through adversity to the stars. It’s the exact same phrase I have tattooed on my rib. How could it be?
I swallow hard as I look up at him, slowly turning his laptop back to him. Silas… there’s no way he could’ve known. Is he mocking me somehow? Did Ryan tell him about my tattoo?
He stares at me, and I wish I could read him. I want to know what he’s thinking. I want to know the story behind his password. Is it all just to throw me off, or is there more to it?
“You’re hired,” he says, his voice soft.
I nod, my thoughts whirling. “I… thank you, Silas.” I hesitate before asking a question I know I shouldn’t ask. “You aren’t going to make me breaking up with Ryan a requirement for hiring me?”
He looks at me, his expression entirely blank. “No,” he says, sounding… tired. “I keep my personal life and my business strictly separate. I expect you to do the same if you wish to succeed here. This isn’t an easy firm to be at. The initial training is ruthless, especially for the IT staff. Amy will go through your contract with you, and she’ll inform you of the training schedule.”
My cheeks heat in embarrassment. I shouldn’t have asked. All I accomplished was making myself look unprofessional. Why is it that I constantly feel unlike myself when I’m around Silas?
“Of course,” I nod, rising from my seat. I need to get out of here before I make an even bigger fool of myself.
“I’ll see you on Monday. Congratulations.”
I turn back to him when I reach his door. “See you on Monday,” I say, praying to God that I won’t. With a bit of luck, I’ll be able to avoid him at work just fine. Luck… yeah right. When has Lady Luck every smiled down on me?
Chapter 6
Alanna
* * *
I’m giddy with excitement as I walk up to Ryan’s apartment, my set of keys in hand. He gave them to me last week, and today seems like a great first time to use them. I can’t wait to tell him the good news. The two of us working together is a dream come true.
I’m surprised when I walk in to find the lights dimmed and loud rap music playing. Ryan never listens to this kind of stuff. He’s the one that taught me all about classical music. My gaze trails over the packed living room and I pause in confusion. What the hell? Ryan hates partying. He’s a loner, like I am. Why would he be throwing a party without even inviting me?
I walk through the crowd of dancing people, not a single person I know in sight. Who are these people? I breathe a sigh of relief when I spot Ryan standing on the balcony with some guys I vaguely recognize. I’ve only ever met them briefly, but I believe the one standing next to him is his childhood friend.