Chapter 4

Close your eyes. Keep them closed.

“There is only one response to anything I ask you,” Eckhart had told him. “I think you know what it is. Any other word you might say will bring this conference to an end and you will walk out of here unemployed. Do you understand?”

He knew the right response. “Yes, sir.”

After a pause, during which Bryce heard Eckhart shift forward on the sofa slightly, his future boss explained, “I’m doing this for two reasons. One: to test your loyalty, as I’ve said. To see if I can trust you. And two: to train you. To show you what I expect from an executive assistant.”

Then, without warning, Eckhart was right beside him, and the sudden closeness sent shivers down Bryce’s spine. He leaned in close, his breath warm in Bryce’s ear. “This is very much part of the job,” he whispered, “but you won’t find them anywhere on the official job description. Are you ready?”

Bryce replied, “Yes, sir.”