I mean, what did she expect? For colleges to just throw cheerleading scholarships at her with a 2.0 GPA?
Maggie had been cold and ruthless back then, and there was no telling what she had tried to do to JoJo when he called her out in the cafeteria for blowing the quarterback of the football team.
Plus, the man had saved my life. Twice. I couldn’t make him lose his job because he simply didn’t deserve it. He owned this company. It was his. And even if he was a bit overwhelming, none of his actions were without reason. Sure, the reasons might not have justified what he was doing to most people. But most people didn’t know and grow up with my bitch of a sister.
Yes, she’s a bitch. But I’m the only one that can call her that, thank you very much.
“I have to get some air,” I said breathlessly.
With my heart racing and my stomach folding over onto itself, I rushed out of my office and over to the elevator. I punched in the private code that allowed the elevator to ascend to the roof, and when I stepped out into the rushing winds of the oncoming storm, I tucked my arms around my body. I walked over to the edge, peering out toward the ocean waters as the waves grew choppy and white.
And as I breathed in lungfuls of air, I felt my stomach settling back into place.
“I need a fan for my office,” I whispered to myself.
The view from the roof was incredible. I wanted to stay up there and watch the lightning as it struck the endless horizon of water off in the distance. My father and I always watched storms together back home, especially the ones that rolled in as winter gave way to spring. I smiled at the memory as thunder rumbled in the distance, foreshadowing the want of the heavens to open up and pour down upon us a flood that washed us all back into the ocean where we belonged.
But it gave me the strength that I needed to march right down to JoJo’s office.
I’m ready for my punishment.
As I stepped off the elevator my eyes locked with his door. Lexie had already gone home for the day and things seemed eerily silent, even with the storm building outside. My hands shook, but I wasn’t sure if it was in fear or anticipation. Heat pooled between my thighs, which answered my question, and as I took a wobbly step toward his office door, I braced myself for whatever came my way.
Only this time, I wouldn’t spill ink on him just to get out.
Just do it. Cave to him and he’ll surely cave to me.
I knocked on his office door and heard his gruff voice telling me to come inside. I eased the door open and peeked inside, watching as he stood at his floor-to-ceiling windows. Thunder boomed overhead as lightning crashed over the water, and I jumped at the sound.
“Get in or get out,” he said curtly.
So, I slipped inside and closed the door behind me.
Before I flipped the lock.
“I’m ready for my punishment in whatever form you see fit,” I said softly.
He didn’t bother turning around. “And what makes you think I operate on your timeline?”
I paused. “I didn’t think you did. I just--.”
He turned around with darkness shrouding his face. “No, you didn’t think.”
I swallowed hard. “Mr. Ryker, I didn’t say anything--.”
He sat back down. “I know exactly what you didn’t say.”
“JoJo, I--.”
He whipped his head up. “The next time you say that nickname to anyone, ever, you’re fired without notice and without severance. Understood?”
I nodded quickly. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. Now, get out of my office.”
“But, sir, aren’t you going t--.”
He stood up and slammed his hands against his desk. “I don’t jump when you say jump, Rebecca!”
