Her shoulders sagged and she threw a look at the door. “Whatever you think I did, I can explain.”
“I’m not interested in explanations. The consequences of your actions speak loudly enough. I already know you met with Michael Valdez, that he fed you information that you then leaked to the reporter. I have photographs of him slipping you cash before you both left the Bayview. And since I happen to know for a fact that you aren’t his type, I’m guessing he was paying for a different kind of fuck.”
That made her lurch back in her seat. “You can’t let him talk to me like that,” she said, appealing to James, as if expecting agreement. “That’s harassment.”
Nicholas could see James’s subordinate boxing up her things, including those meticulously placed headphones. Jay wasn’t there to see it, of course. She was in another development meeting with Arthur—he’d planned that out, too. Everything was shaping out perfectly.
“Harassment,” he repeated. “That’s an interesting choice of words, coming from you.”
“W-well, what aboutyou?” Too angry to maintain the illusion of ignorance any longer, she rose to her full height. In the corner of his eye, Nicholas saw James tense. “Everyoneknows that you’ve been playing favorites withJay. Your own stepsister—who you’re obviously sleeping with!” Her voice, which had been rising steadily, became shrill. “You wouldn’t even consider my promotion, but you’ll pour company resources into paying off your office mistress, even though I’m way more qualified than thatwh—”
“Don’t.” Nicholas pressed his hands flat to the desk as he stood. “You were not more qualified. You were complacent and vindictive. And rather than address your own shortcomings, you denigrated another employee. You didn’t get the job because your performance wasn’t up to par.”
“Or maybe it wasn’t the kind of performance you were looking for.”
He smiled. She flinched.
“James will escort you out. Don’t bother stopping by your desk for your things. They’ve been boxed up already and will be mailed to the address you provided on the day of your hiring.”
“You’re—” Annica flicked a wild look at James. “You’refiringme?”
“I already have. For violating your NDA and sabotaging the company.” He allowed himself the privilege of a sneer. “Good luck with your future employment.”
James shepherded her towards the door, and Nicholas followed, watching the man march his ex-secretary out. His third secretary to leave in as many months. He had flashbacks of Crystal’s voluble departure—when she’d called him heartless, screaming it for everyone in the office to hear.
The other employees were watching with interest, sensing blood in the water. Jay was back at her desk and looked up when the shadows of James and Annica fell over her desk. The other woman seemed to find that provocative. Nicholas took severalsteps forward but Annica had already lunged, aiming not for Jay herself but her cup of coffee, sending it flying with a single, well-placed swipe before James grabbed her by both hands.
Jay jumped to her feet with a yelp as hot coffee dripped down her pants and blouse.
“Enjoy the victory,” Annica snarled over her shoulder. “Little Miss Slutshine.”
The whispers in the room got louder. A few people exchanged half-smothered grins that quickly disappeared when his harsh gaze swept over the open floor plan. Eyes dipped and they got back to work, or pretended to.
Jay stared after Annica. His anger spiked at the look on her face—lost and devastated, but also so unsurprised—and he had to suppress his sudden desire for violence.
Not now, he told himself.Everything’s going exactly to plan. Security will deal with her.
Nicholas put his hand on her shoulder, rubbing her arm through her blouse. “Let’s get out of here,” he suggested. “I think this calls for an early day.”
Still looking stunned, Jay folded her arms over her soaked and stained blouse.Is she off the property?he texted James.
The response was prompt:Yes, Mr. Beaucroft, she’s gone. I sent her out in a taxi.
He needed to get Jay out of the building before the shock broke. He’d seen that brightness in her eyes too many times not to know when she was about to cry. With his mouth in a firm line, he herded her out the door.
By the time he had gotten Jay into the passenger seat, tears were rolling down her face. He turned off the radio whilebacking out of his parking space one-handed, swearing when someone walked in front of his car.
“Call my accountant,” he barked at his phone, which obliged him by dialing. “Go to speaker.”
The man picked up after two rings. “Hello?”
“Cancel my installments on the Valdez project.”
“Really? Are you sure? They’re in the middle of development.”
“I don’t care. Cancel it. Tell them there was a breach of contract. If they don’t like it, he can get a lawyer. End call,” he snapped at his phone, and it went silent.
Jay sniffed. “Wasn’t that the project you were telling me about in the restaurant?”
