Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 139(@200wpm)___ 111(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
I have all the information I need for their gathering; I make a note to be there a few minutes after they arrive. Then I’ll be taking my beauty away because there’s no doubt in my mind that we have some things to sort out.
Now to make it through the day so I can get out of the office at a reasonable hour and I’m not late.
I head into the meeting where her old boss is sitting at the conference table, and I want to kick him in the balls. The man hasn’t done a damn thing to me, but the fact that he’s gotten to know Lacey sends me into a fit of jealousy, which I hadn’t known I was capable of. Still, I handle the meeting with the skill and precision of my position as owner and president.
The meeting ends, and he approaches me. “So, Mr. Hardwick, if Lacey doesn’t work out for you, I’d gladly take her off your hands. She was one of the best employees I’ve had and really isn’t qualified for the position of executive assistant.”
“I determine who is and isn’t qualified to be my assistant, and she’s done a good job so far. She’s not coming back down to your floor. End of discussion. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do before I get out of here at a reasonable hour.”
“I meant no offense.”
“I understand, but there’s nothing to discuss. I’m happy with her services.”
“I bet.”
“Excuse me?”
“Well, I just heard that…” I have him pinned to the conference room wall with my hand on his throat as he chokes out his breath.
“What the fuck did you hear? What were you going to say about her?”
“Nothing,” he chokes out.
“Get the fuck out of my building. You’re fired. If I catch you in the building again, I’ll have you arrested.”
“Are you serious?”
“Dead serious.” Rage fills my bones.
“I’m going to file a complaint.”
“Go ahead. I will do the same fucking thing. Like the money missing out of the petty cash or the false receipt for your reimbursement checks.” His eyes widen in fear, and he rushes out of the conference room and steals a look in Lacey’s direction, glaring at her as he waits for the elevator.
“Out now.” He jumps into the elevator as it dings open before I snap. He can file a fucking complaint all he wants because I’ll have him on ten other violations. I hated that fucker before, but the second Lacey mentioned his name the first time, I started digging. I have so much on the prick, he’ll be arrested by the end of the day.
“What happened to Lawrence, Mr. Hardwick?”
“Don’t worry. Sit your ass down and work. It’s what I pay you for.” I storm into my office and realize I fucked up. Still, I have a job that needs to be done. A quick call to security and Mr. Davis will be escorted out of the building. I contacted HR and informed them I will need a new Marketing Director as Mr. Davis has been terminated effectively.
When I finish that, I step out of my office and see Lacey working without looking up from her desk. “It’s past your lunch time.”
“I don’t believe you get paid to worry about my eating habits, Mr. Hardwick.”
“I told you to call me Lincoln.”
“Mr. Hardwick, I’ll be going out to lunch, then.” She stands, grabs her purse, and then walks away from her desk. A thought strikes me, and I reach out to stop her immediately.
“Lunch will be here in the office.”
“What? I thought you just told me to go to lunch.”
“Well, I just fired Davis, so I don’t think it’s safe for you to head out.” She gasps and I bite my tongue, realizing I probably shouldn’t have scared her like that.
“Do you think he’d do something?”
“I don’t know, but he’s really pissed at me, and you’re my assistant.” Her mouth opens into a perfect O, and she nods.
“What am I supposed to do? I didn’t bring a lunch with me.”
“I’ll order us something. What do you want?”
“A burger. Unlike you, I don’t do salads.”
“I can’t blame you. They suck most days, but I don’t always eat them.” I don’t tell her I’m trying different remedies for treating my migraines. Cutting out red meat was one of them. Dumb mistake because that one didn’t work for shit. If anything, my body rejected that plan furiously.
“Good, because all that salad doesn’t make up for all that coffee you drink.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I didn’t finish my coffee this morning. I spilled it.”
“Oh.” She smirks, trying to avoid laughing.
“Yes, I can make mistakes. I know it’s not completely impossible.”
She scoffs. “I know that. I just thought you had a serious caffeine issue. Anyway, do you want me to order you something?” I pull out my wallet and hand her a card.