Kyrian rubbed his eyes at Nick’s bad English accent. “Your duties here wil be light. Nothing too strenuous, and if anything aggravates your arm until it heals, don’t do it. Last thing you need is to set your therapy back.”
Nick fol owed him to the staircase. “Why are you doing this, anyway? You know what I was into that night and yet you’d let me in here around al your stuff? Aren’t you afraid I’l steal something?”
Kyrian turned around on the stairs to give him a harsh glare.
“There’s nothing you can steal from me that I can’t replace.
Things mean very little to me.” He took a step closer to Nick.
“As for why I’m helping you … I believe in you, Nick. You remind me of a kid I knew once. Hardheaded to the point no one could stand him. He wouldn’t listen and had a massive chip on his shoulder because he wanted to show the world how tough he was—that he didn’t need anyone hand-holding him through life, or doing anything for him. Everything had to be learned by his own hand … the hard way.”
“What happened to him?”
“He rebel iously joined the army against his father’s wishes and met a man who changed his life. For whatever reason, that man had patience. And where others would have justifiably kil ed the arrogant snotnose for his attitude, his commanding officer saw potential in him. He changed that kid’s life and I’d like to pay that debt forward with you.” It took Nick a second to realize what exactly he was saying.
“You’re the kid?”
Kyrian inclined his head.
“And this dude who changed your life?”
He looked down at the ring on his hand that rested on the shiny banister. “A man named Julian.”
Nick shivered at such a god-awful moniker. “Isn’t Julian a girl’s name?”
One corner of Kyrian’s mouth twisted into a sardonic smile.
“Trust me, Nick. He was the toughest SOB you’ve ever met on a battlefield. No one ever defeated him in a fight. He made Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris look like poseurs.”
“Is that how you learned to fight like you did when you saved me?”
“Yes.”
Nick had to give him credit. Kyrian could definitely handle himself. It was something he’d love to have. “Could you teach me some of that?”
“When your arm’s better. For now, I promised your mom I wouldn’t tax your strength.”
Nick growled. “Yeah, but—”
“No buts. Today is only an introduction. I want you to get the lay of the land. Rosa is your direct supervisor. Whatever she says goes. Since I usual y work at night, she’l be the one you deal with most when you’re here.” He turned around and descended the stairs again.
Nick skipped down behind him. “So how many people work for you?”
“Just Rosa and George the groundskeeper. … And now you.”
“What about Mr. Poitiers?”
“He’s a friend. I have many who do favors for me from time to time.”
Nick could respect that. “Must be good to be king.” A flicker of sadness flashed across Kyrian’s face before he hid it. “Why don’t I show you to your office first?” That announcement stunned Nick. “I have an office?”
“Yes.” Kyrian led him to a room off the kitchen that was bigger than Nick’s entire condo. Shelves of books lined the wal s. And there were two desks and computers in it, along with nice black leather office chairs. It was an impressive layout. “Rosa has the bigger desk. Yours is there.” Nick walked over to it with his jaw slack as he ran his hand across the top of it. Made of rich cherry wood, it was pristine and beautiful. But it was the large monitor on the desk that real y made him smile. “I have my own computer?”
“Yes, and you can do homework on it if you need to. It’s hooked online so …”
Nick’s eyes widened even more. “It’s online and everything?
”
“Yes. There’l be times when I’l need you to get information or order things online for me.”
“Real y?”
“Real y.”
Nick didn’t know what to say. This was more than he’d ever imagined. When Kyrian had offered the job, he’d figured it was walking the dog, cleaning toilets, or something equal y as crappy. Not in his wildest dreams had he thought he’d have his own desk or computer.
In fact, Rosa had already put his backpack there. It made him feel like an adult with a real desk job.
Most of al , it made him feel respectable.
Lifting his head high, he met Kyrian’s gaze. “So how much money wil I be making?”
“Since you’re only part time, we’l start you out at a thousand a week.”
Nick about choked on the amount. A thousand what? Lira?
Yen? Rubles? “Excuse me?”
“That’s before taxes, of course. And we do have work performance bonuses so you can increase that if you need more. I believe in rewarding hard work and—” Nick held his hand up to stop him right there. “Go back to make sure I heard what you said. A thousand a week?”
“Yes.”
“A thousand American dol ars a week?”
“Yes.”