Free Aligned by Jaci Wheeler

at least this much.
    I head for Natasha’s new office and realize I’ve never been there. I find her behind a stack of files on her desk, typing frantically on her computer. I know they have a massive amount of work on their hands right now, especially with this new development. I walk in and clear my throat. She looks up from her stack and smiles.
    “Hi, there. What brings you by today?” she asks cheerfully. If I hadn’t just seen Masters taking his rage out on Green I would never have believed anything was wrong. She is either amazing at hiding it, or isn’t fazed by what happened between them. Both are hard to believe.
    I give her a stern look. “Anything you care to tell me?”
    She laughs. “I see you’ve already talked to Kevin.”
    “No, we didn’t talk. I did watch him beat the ever loving crap out of Green and then he gave me a few grunts but that would be it. Care to explain?”
    “He proposed.”
    “And?”
    She gives me an impish little shrug. “And what?”
    “Are you going to say yes?”
    “Of course I’m going to say yes!” she says, looking at me like I lost my mind to question otherwise.
    “And you didn’t think this was important information to share with Masters?”
    “Oh, it’s good for him to wonder a bit. How many times do you think anyone has said no to him? Everyone bows down to him and it’s time he learns he can’t intimidate everyone. I’m only letting him squirm a little; then I’ll tell him ‘Yes.’”
    I can’t help but laugh. Poor Masters is going to have his hands full, but I don’t think he’ll mind one bit.
    “He really loves you, ya know.”
    “I know.”
    The smile falls from my face. “He’s really upset, Tash. I think you should go talk to him, and maybe bring Green a treat or a steak for his eye,” I say seriously.
    “I will, but I’m completely swamped right now. I won’t have a chance until later.”
    “It’s up to you, but I wouldn’t wait until later. Call him and tell him to come up here, or better yet, announce it on the loudspeaker.”
    I am only joking but her eyes flash with mischief.
    “Or we could have an official dance party. It might not be an Act but it is pretty important.”
    “You want me to announce to the whole Ministry that you are engaged and hold a dance party?”
    “Yes.”
    “And this is how you want Masters to find out? Along with everyone else?”
    “Exactly!”
    “And they say I’m immature.”
    She laughs. “Well, are we doing this or what?”
    “I thought you are swamped.”
    “I am, but you’re the president. You can order me to have a dance party. It’s been known to happen.”
    “All right, but if Masters asks, you blackmailed me into it.”
    “What would I have to blackmail you with?”
    “Who knows? Although if anyone has the dirt on me it’s you, and I honestly never want to know what all you know.”
    “Well, let’s stop wasting time and get to it,” she says. “I have an engagement to announce and a groom to piss off.”
    “I feel bad for your future children.”
    We run up to my floor and tell Judy to get the music ready. She is so used to my random dance parties by now she doesn’t even bat an eyelash. I push the intercom so that it broadcasts to the entire building.
    “Good morning! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. As is customary around here we always celebrate with a dance party. Today I am happy to announce that we are about to have a celebration on our hands. To announce the happy news, here is Natasha Starr.”
    “Good morning, everyone. It is my pleasure to announce that this morning Kevin Masters asked me to be his wife, and this is me saying yes. So, Kevin, you better get up here because we are about to have us a party. Everyone is welcome to join in and celebrate with us. Thank you.”
    Judy brings up the music and in one quick movement Natasha takes our hands and leads us into the common area. We are dancing when Molly comes running out of her office, head bouncing