I sat in the new chair. It was too big. The office was too quiet. Outside my window, the city spread out like a promise and a threat.

My phone buzzed again.

Zane: Why would Blackwood promote you NOW? What did you do to get this?

The suspicion had curdled into a direct accusation, just as Jovi had intended. I could almost see her, feeding his fears, painting a picture of a transactional, sordid arrangement.

I wrote back, my fingers steady.

Me: My work earned it. Something you'd know if you'd ever paid attention. And tell Jovi her spy network is getting sloppy. The news took a whole 15 minutes...