Her entire career would be ruined.
Franks finger moved lower, skimming the collar of her button up and then down.
She started to shake. Was this what all her hard work had come down to?
Franks didn’t care how much overtime she’d put in, all he wanted was what was between her legs.
Kate slammed her hands to his chest and shoved. “Stop.”
He stumbled back a step and immediately re-closed the gap, his hot breath fanning across her face. “I’m giving you one more chance.”
White hot rage flooded her system. Kate grabbed his shoulders and looked directly in his eyes. “Go to hell.”
Franks blinked, his mouth slack with shock and Kate brought her knee up. Hard.
“Shit!” He grabbed his nuts and fell back, moaning in a much deserved dose of pain. “You bitch.”
He grabbed the table before hitting the floor and wheezed.
“You never intended to promote me, did you?” She advanced, her fury growing with each second. “You don’t care how much harder I worked than the rest of the team.”
Franks held up a hand, gasping as he tried to straighten, a nice pale shade on his cheeks now. “You-“
Kate cut him off with a sneer, disgusted with herself almost as much as him. “I’ve put up with all your looks and insinuations for years. I even helped you cover your ass when your old buddy Agent J ghosted and turned traitor.”
Every operative associated with Mr. J was now either dead, or simply disappeared into the darkness of a giant government cover up. Everyone but Agent Franks, whose absolute desperate dance to cover his tracks had actually worked and he'd been allowed to stay on in the same position of power. A feat Kate couldn't figure out exactly how he pulled off.
Franks white face flushed and used the table to lever up straight. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Kate bared her teeth in a warning smile. “You mean that thumb drive off the laptop I acid washed for you?”
Kate felt the flush of triumph filter into her veins. She’d never really considered blackmailing him to get what she wanted. Blackmailing was illegal and wrong and went against her very morality, but so did using unsolicited sex for control.
Kate tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You know, I think that alone is enough reason for my promotion.” Let alone the fact she’d worked twice as long and hard as her entire team combined.
“I always knew you had it in you.” Franks straightened his features and arched a brow, not looking in the least bitworried. In fact, he looked smug.
“I never wanted this. You made me,” she defended.
He shrugged like he couldn’t care less. “Using blackmail to retain your position is a hallmark of our profession.” Franks paused. “Just like its used to destroy a career.”
A twinge of unease found its way into her chest. “Give me the promotion. I deserve it.”
“Can’t do that.”
Franks wasn’t dumb. He knew she wasn’t lying. She could destroy him with the thumb drive. “Why not?”
“Because I’ve already promoted Coons.”
She froze. “The newbie?”
He nodded.
“You tried to manipulate me into having sex with you for a promotion that you’d already given away?” Her voice rose with each word.
A serpentine smile slithered across his face. “There was no manipulation. I was just taking you up on your offer. Can’t blame a red-blooded man for giving in to the constant sexual provocation of his female co-worker.”
“Your insane.” Kate backed up a step, suddenly unsure of her confidence. “I’m giving that thumb drive to the Director.”
