“How do you know your girlfriend isn’t selling your secrets?” She challenges me with an uncalled-for smug expression on her face. She pulls the tie out of her hair. Her tawny waves spill over her shoulders like she’s releasing her crazy.
“Because my secrets were being spilled BEFORE she and I ever met. Plus, you’re the only one I told!”
Rea looks at me as if she’s sad I’m sterile. Her graying hair is pulled back into a neat bun and her navy pantsuit is flawless as usual. I know her grandchildren are the lights of her life, so the idea of me being unable to reproduce is depressing to her.
“Maybe your doctor or someone with access to your medical records told them.”
Her reaching for an explanation to get herself out of this makes her veil slip further, introducing me to a stranger.
“Allie. You don’t get it. I lied to you and only you about this particular thing. I’ve strategically planted stories to see what would make the headlines and guess whose secret was revealed?”
The panic in her eyes hurts more. Guilt colors her cheeks.
“I did it to protect you from Janet’s lies,” she begs.
“Sit,” I growl then glare at her until she complies. “Enough of the lies. I’m sick of them. Your lies and leaking of personal business matters has caused me,andthis company, unnecessary strife. If my story was true, you would have leaked very personal medical information about me. Painful, personal information.” I tap my finger on my desk with each word. “I thought we were at least friends, but you’ve shown me you aren’t even a trusted employee.”
Allie cries and holds her hand to her chest as if she’s the one with the right to be hurt.
“No, Axel. Please don’t do this to us.”
Her plea is strangely similar to a person being dumped by the love of her life. It gives me chills, but she has to go. Allie is no longer welcomed in my life.
“You’re fired. Effectively immediately.” I look at Rea, and she pulls out the NDA. “Sign it to get a two-week severance.”
Allie sobs has her gulping for breath as her shaky hand moves over the paperwork. I hate we’re ending this way. I would have never thought it’d come to this, yet here we are. She gives me another pleading look, her face, blotchy and tear-streaked. The hurt and betrayal I feel makes it impossible for me to feel sorry for her.
“Security will see you out.” They enter when I yell for them. Allie gets up and runs to me but falls at my feet when I step out of range. She wraps herself around my leg, and the guys peel her off as Rea and I exchange bewildered looks. This would be extremely confusing if Heaven hadn’t warned me about Allie’s feelings. Still, it’s heartbreaking to see someone who seemed happy weeks before turn into this.
She chants, “No!” as they—to my surprise—carry her out of my office.
“Axel, I have to ask—” Rea begins, but I cut her off.
“Hell, no. Not once. Not ever. Not even a lingering look.”
Nodding, she gathers her paperwork. “Do you want to post an opening?”
“No. I think I’ll handle my own things for now. That wasn’t normal, right?” I look at her for an answer. She has far more experience firing someone than I do.
“Not at all. That’s why I had to ask.” She looks at the door Allie just left then back to me. “I would have never thought she would do that.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “You’re not the only one. I would have never guessed it, but she’s the only one with that kind of access.”
Dipping my hands in my pockets, I stare at my desk. This one cut deep. I don’t have the energy to continue my day.
“I really hate that I had to do that.” Normally, I’d tell Allie to hold my calls for the day, but that’s not an option. “I’m heading out.”
Out of habit, Rea’s eyes drop to her gold, bracelet watch.
That’s right, the workday just started for them, but it’s over for me.
“Okay,” she says like she had an option to say otherwise.
“Do me a favor. On the way to your office, tell Anderson he’s in charge, and he knows where to find me if anything comes up.”
“Sure thing,”
Axel
