“What the—”
The girl from downstairs comes running into the room. “Professor, I’m so sorry—”
“That’s alright, honey,” Eric says behind me. I know he’s urging her out. “We’ll take it from here.”
The door closes.
Dayton looks me over, rises to his feet, his face red with rage. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Eric walks toward the desk, then around it. He glances at the computer screen and chuckles as he puts his hands on Dayton’s shoulders and pushes him to sit.
“We’ll let you get back to your porn in a few minutes,” he says. “This is Mr. Benedetti.”
I sit, cross my ankle over my knee. Look around.
“Mr. Benedetti,” Dayton says. From the look on his face, he knows who I am.
“I’m here about Natalie Gregorian,” I say.
Color drains from his face.
“Recognize the name?”
“I…uh…she’s a student of mine.”
“You touch her?”
“I—”
“Did you fucking touch her?”
“She…no. What are you inferring?”
“You offer a coveted internship spot, don’t you? You have special requirements for pretty, young students?”
He just stares at me.
“Let’s make this simple. If she wants that goddamned internship, it’s hers. The hours she’s here, you won’t be. If you happen to cross her path, you’ll turn and walk—no, you’ll fucking run—the other way.”
“I…I…she’s in my class.”
“Then she better get straight fucking A’s.”
I stand, slap my hands on his desk. Dayton jumps, but Eric’s hands on his shoulders keep him rooted in his chair and when I lean toward him, he shrinks back.
“Did you hear me?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“Y…y….”
Eric smacks him upside the head.
“Yes sir, Mr. Benedetti.”
“Now we’re getting somewhere. But just to be sure.” I straighten, button my jacket, give Eric a nod and turn to walk toward the door. It only takes Eric a few minutes to make sure we’re understood. He rejoins me by the time I’m halfway down the stairs, messaging Natalie that I’ll pick her up for a late dinner.
