That we have her signature is somehow exciting.
My phone buzzes and I read the text.
My wife is going to dinner with friends. That means she has a date with her latest boyfriend. I look forward to making her pay for that tomorrow. I’ll have her begging and on her knees while she sucks my cock.
I’m imagining that when the door opens. I do not move a single inch; instead, I let Hailey advance then halt mid-room, unsure of where to go. For a second, I imagine her on her knees instead of Isabella.
Dismissing that is difficult.
“Sit, please.” I indicate the deep armchair then stroll over and sit on the other side in the matching chair, after adjusting it so it faces her dead-on. “It’s been a while since school.”
“It has.” She nods. “You look…” Her mouth twitches into a brief smile. “Comfortable.”
“I’ve put on weight?” I palm my stomach, before reaching over and patting her knee. “I’m joking. Anyway, what can I do for you? Condolences, also, for your father. He was a good employee.”
“Mmm. Thank you. The six months has not been easy for me.”
I nod, waiting for her to cut to what’s important. From what she’s been doing, turning the power on, leafing through his papers, talking to neighbors, it’s likely she isn’t going away soon.
“Okay.” There is that determination surfacing.
Here it comes.With my hands draped on my knees, I wait for her to try hustling me. I know hustles. Being CEO, you need to.
“I was going to waffle, to circle this topic and see what you said but I sense you like directness.”
“I do.” So, a missile attack not a hustle? Fascinating.
“My father left me a note.” A slight film of sweat is shining on her forehead, despite the perfect temperature of my office. I smile. She heaves in a breath. “He said the institute is making stitched-together men from parts, and he called them frankenstructs.”
Shit. How the fuck did they miss this?I wait for her to spill more, if there is more. Fuck, though. We need to get that note and burn it.
“Go on.”
“He also said the institute might have him killed, and then he was killed.” Her swallow is obvious.
“Untrue. We would never do this. That is slander, Miss Tarrant. We don’t murder employees…”Much.“We also?—”
“No? I’m guessing the forensic evidence has been disappeared, if there was any. I’m also guessing you’ve made sure no one will talk to me, but I have an ace in the hole, Mr. Skinner. You do not want me to reveal it. Tell the cops you’ve discovered the man who killed my father and I will help you avoid jail. I promise this.” Then she has the fucking audacity to reach over and pat my knee.
I struggle not to glare and merely set my teeth on one another, hard. I clench my jaw. I pluck her hand off my knee and hold onto it.
“An ace? You have nothing.”
“You think? If I even request an inquiry as to the work you are doing, through the proper channels, you will be hurting.My father had friends high up in the industry. I will bet anything you’re aiming to make these frankenstructs. If you haven’t already. Are you dealing in body parts illegally, Mr. Skinner?”
Jesus H. Christ does this woman have any sense of self-preservation? She’s bluffing though. Proper channels? She has nothing.
Though she strives to pull away, I bring her hand to my mouth. I keep it there. When she tries again to dislodge my grip, twisting her wrist, I let her hurt herself.
Her gasp tells me when that is accomplished. “Did that burn? A pity. You are self-inflicting far more than a skin burn. Keep going with what you threatened me with, and you will discover, personally, exactly what was done to your father. Be careful.”
I release her, and she rips loose and rebounds into the back of the chair then leaps to her feet.
“Is that your only response? A fucking threat?”
“I answered your threat with my own, yes. The difference is mine is very achievable. Do not rock this boat. The investors in the institute will never let you go free or keep breathing. Back away, leave town, and we might negotiate a stipend for you, for the rest of your life.”
She stands there, red-faced and heaving her breasts at me for a while, before she curses me and storms out.
