That slimy piece of chauvinistic, pretentious, land waste.
This asshole didn’t have anything better to do?He wasn’t busy enough?He needed to find time to fuck things up for other people?
Without a word, I stalked out of Sam’s office and shoved on my coat and scarf, blood rushing in my ears.If Pierce had something to say, he could damn well say it to my face.
The bitter cold did nothing to cool my anger as I stalked the six blocks to Pierce’s wine bar.Damn October chill.At least it wasn’t raining.Yet.
It wasn’t difficult to find the man of the hour.Tucked behind a sleek desk, in a room fresh out of “executives monthly,” Pierce looked grotesquely pleased with himself.My eyes fell on the large Dali hanging behind him, and I barely stopped myself from rolling them.Yeah, okay, Pierce.You’re very cultured.We get it.
“Miss Young, I wasn’t expecting you.”
Liar.
I skipped the pleasantries.“Mind telling me what the f—” I caught myself.I was here for Sam.Be nice.A visible shudder rolled over my shoulders.“—hell is going on?Our contractor just delayed by four weeks.You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
“No.And I’m not sure I like what you’re implying.”
Lying liar asshole.My fists were balled by my side, and it was taking all my effort not to scream in his splotchy face right now.Breathe.Flexing my fingers, I counted another long breath before I trusted myself to speak.“I don’t believe you.I think you know exactly what I’m implying.Everyone knows you and Mike are tight.I want to know why you did it.”
“If I spoke with him, I don’t see how that’s any of your business.And if my close personal friend decided to make a call based on some information I shared with him, then that’s his prerogative.Perhaps he felt it wasn’t in his best interest to partner with a business whose staff are so openly hostile.”
The pressure in my jaw tightened, and I forced myself to release it.There was nothing I wanted more than to tell Pierce precisely what I thought of him.In detail.Preferably with some sort of physical instrument in hand.And if I were only here to defend myself, maybe I would.But this was bigger than me.
I tried to remember what Sam had said about diplomacy.
“What is your problem with me?”
“You’ve disrespected me from the beginning.”
“You haven’t earned my respect, Steve.”
“Is that right?And this visit, what were you hoping to gain?”
”I was hoping you’d realize that you’re punishing a good man for no reason.”
“I hardly think a small delay is a punishment.Sam’s a businessman.He understands that these things happen.And you’re wrong.I have a very good reason.Your boss doesn’t appear to understand one fundamental principle: don’t fuck with me.”
“You have some nerve.”
Silence ensued.Somewhere in the room, a clock clicked loudly as the seconds passed, driving my blood pressure higher with each tick.My skin itched under Pierce’s soulless stare.If I gave one inch of a shit about what Stephen Pierce thought of me, I might have gotten uncomfortable.Instead, I dug my heels in, ready for a fight.
“You know, all these years I knew you were callous, cruel even, but this?This is beneath even you.What do you even get out of fucking with Sam like this?”
Finally, his expression changed.Immediately, I wished it hadn’t as a slimy smile spread over his reddened cheeks.“Maybe this will teach you some manners.It’s been frustrating to be in your orbit these last few years.Every chance you’ve had, you’ve managed to insult me.If I’d had any other opportunities, I would have taken them and kept this between us.Sam isn’t worth petty inconveniences.Given his current choices, the bar will close itself by the end of the year.”
“The fuck you talking about?Sam’s ten times the businessman you are.”
“He’s fine,” Pierce shrugged.“Although, it does surprise me that he’s kept you on.I wouldn’t have expected the two of you to work well together.”
Little did he know.
Pierce continued.“Maybe now he’ll see what a liability you are.”
Oh, what I would do to smash something in this room.Probably that damn clock.After another slow breath, I said, “This doesn’t have anything to do with Sam or the bar, so I’d appreciate it if you would leave them out of it.”
“You’d appreciate it, would you?”Pierce bared his teeth in a condescending grin.“How about this, Miss Young.You get the hell out of my office, or I’ll have you thrown out and charged with trespassing.”
“You fucking piece of—” The door slammed satisfyingly loud behind me as I stormed out.
