Richard jerks in surprise, his grip on Iris loosening.“Who the hell are you?”
Jake’s smile is all teeth and no warmth.“Jake Wilder.I’m the company’s legal counsel.”His grip tightens on Richard’s wrist, and I watch the man’s face go white.“And if you value your current employment status, I suggest you remove your hands from our employee.”
“Legal counsel?”Richard’s voice cracks slightly as he tries to pull free, but Jake’s grip doesn’t budge.
“That’s right.”Jake’s voice remains calm, but his hazel eyes are cold as winter.“I handle all matters of workplace harassment, among other things.Fascinating area of law, really.So many ways to destroy someone’s career.”
I’m impressed despite myself.I had no idea Jake was here, but his timing is perfect.More importantly, the fact that Richard doesn’t seem to know who Jake is surprises me.I would have thought the company’s legal counsel would be more well-known among employees.
“You can’t—” Richard starts.
“Can’t what?”Jake’s smile widens, and it’s genuinely terrifying.“Can’t protect our employees from drunk colleagues who think they can put their hands on women without permission?I think you’ll find I very much can.”
Richard finally wrenches his arm free, stumbling backward slightly.His face is flushed with anger and embarrassment.“This isn’t over, Iris,” he says, his voice ugly with promise.“We’ll talk later.”Iris hugs her tablet tighter to her chest.
“Oh, but it is over,” Jake says with that same cheerful tone, pulling out his phone with casual efficiency.“Security?Yes, I need someone to escort an employee back to their department.Seventh floor, Marketing.”He pauses, his smile never faltering.“And do make sure to document any alcohol on his breath.For HR purposes, you understand.”
“You son of a bitch,” Richard snarls.“Iris?—”
“Is under our protection,” Jake cuts him off smoothly, his voice still mild but carrying an undertone that makes even me want to step back.“And if you attempt to harass her during work hours again, or show up intoxicated, well...”He shrugs with theatrical regret.“Let’s just say I have a very creative imagination when it comes to handling employment law violations.”
Two security guards emerge from the elevator, and Richard’s bluster deflates slightly as he realizes he’s outnumbered.
“This isn’t over,” he repeats, but there’s less conviction in it now.
“I’m afraid it is,” Jake says with exaggerated concern.“At least the professional portion of your relationship.What happens at home is between you two.But here?”His smile turns razor-sharp.“Here, she’s mine to protect.”
As the security guards escort Richard toward the elevator, he shoots one last look at Iris.“We live together.You can’t avoid me forever.”The words make Iris flinch with embarrassment, and Eve immediately moves to her side, her face still dark with anger.
“Are you okay?”Eve asks quietly, her voice tight with controlled fury.
The elevator doors close on Richard’s red face, and the office falls into tense silence.Iris stands there for a moment, clearly mortified by what just happened.“I need...I need some air,” she says quietly, heading toward the stairwell that leads to the roof.
Eve starts to follow her, but Jake raises a hand, his expression now serious, his brow furrowed with concern.“Let me handle this,” he says quietly.
“She’s my boss,” Eve protests.“I should?—”
“I need to talk to her about pursuing this through HR,” Jake says, his tone professional.“This kind of workplace harassment needs to be documented properly.I’ll make sure she’s okay.”I watch my brother’s face, seeing how easily he shifts from charming and dangerous to focused lawyer.
He’s right.If this is an ongoing situation, it could become a legal nightmare for the company.
“How bad do you think things are at home?”I ask Eve quietly as Jake heads toward the stairwell.
Eve’s face is troubled as she sinks back into her chair.“I didn’t think it was that bad,” she admits.“I mean, I knew they argued sometimes, but this...”She runs a hand through her hair.“I’m worried about her now.”
The realization sits heavy in my stomach.“Shit.”
“Yeah.”Eve’s expression is grim.“Shit.”
* * *
By six-thirty,the office has mostly cleared out.I finish up the last of my notes on the Serastra campaign and pack up my things, but I can’t shake the image of Iris’s face from this afternoon.The embarrassment, the way she flinched when Richard said they lived together.
I find myself standing outside her office door, my hand raised to knock.What am I even going to say?We barely know each other beyond work.But the image of Richard grabbing her wrist won’t leave my head.
Finally, I knock softly.“Iris?You okay?”
“Come in,” she calls, her voice tired.She’s still at her desk, staring at her computer screen, but I can tell she’s not really seeing it.There’s a weariness to her that wasn’t there this morning.“I’m fine, Caleb.Thank you for asking.”
