Page 114 of Masters of Control

Sitting up, she took a deep breath. Her tolerance for the bullshit here was getting smaller, not necessarily a bad thing, but she still needed to keep her temper. She still needed this job.

What I need is to look for a new job.

She hadn’t the first few years, even though she’d wanted to, because she hadn’t wanted to look flighty, disloyal, or as if she was jumping from job to job. However, she’d put in five years here. That was more than some. Why hadn’t she started looking for a position at another company?

Had she forgotten or had she just gotten too beaten down? Too tired.

Well, that ended today.

First things first. She texted Julie back.

Camille: I’ll be there!

Julie: Great! Ladies’ night out!

Sounded good to her. A night out with a friend and a good show, especially since it was going to be Olivia and Luke. It would be good to watch another Dominatrix work. Get her head back in the game. She might even see Freddy while she was there.

Ignoring the urge to text him, she got back on her computer to get back to work… and update her resume. It was time for her to take control of all aspects of her life again. Feeling invigorated, it didn’t take her long to get through her paperwork. Pulling out her phone again, she started looking at job listings and emailed some of her old friends who were still in the area, asking if they knew of any openings.

It felt really, really good.

For the first time since she could remember, she walked out of work, feeling happy.

Freddy

“Where’s Brittany?” Mr. Alexander glared at Freddy before averting his eyes, as if the bright pink suit Freddy was wearing was too offensive to look at. In contrast, Camille was grinning and looking at him like he was a pink Starburst she wanted to unwrap. Freddy had to avert his eyes from her because he didn’t want Mr. Alexander to notice anything between them.

“She won’t be joining us today,” Freddy said smoothly, setting down his briefcase and pulling out his chair. “I’ve been authorized by her to handle all the negotiations. If there is something that requires her input, I’ll contact her, and we can handle it later.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Yes, he can.” Camille’s firm tone made the man sit back and cross his arms over his chest like a pouty child. “Honestly, we’re lucky to have even that much concession, considering how the last meeting went.” The look she shot Mr. Alexander had him looking away from both of them.

“My client is willing to negotiate, however her main concern is that Mr. Alexander leave her alone.”

“Like I’d want to be around that bi⁠—”

“Mr. Alexander.” Camille didn’t raise her voice, didn’t even look at the man. He shrank back into his seat, shoulders hunching over protectively.

It was one of the hottest things Freddy had ever seen. He had to shift in his seat to make his pants a little more comfortable. He loved this suit, but the pants were a little tighter than some of his other options.

Camille’s gaze met Freddy’s. “That sounds like something my client might be interested in. What are the terms?”

Brittany was willing to give away her rights to just about everything that was left in exchange for her husband leaving her be after their divorce, her fear that he might not let her go so easily overriding everything else, but that’s why Freddy was here. He understood her fear and her priority, but he was going to make sure she got what she deserved. If giving up some of the material items she was entitled to meant giving her peace of mind, he would do that, but he’d also impressed upon her that he couldn’t write a contract that kept Mr. Alexander from contacting her.

He was also doing his best to make sure she got most of what she was entitled to, pointing out that she could use the extra money to move or hire security.

“She’s not getting any of my money,” Alexander finally snapped out when Camille prodded him again. “Not unless I get to see her again. If she wants my money, she can beg for it.”

“Or we can see you in court where she’ll likely get all of it,” Freddy said coldly. “Although the terms of these sections were not affected by your infidelity, in court, it would likely be taken into consideration.”

“May I have a moment with my client?” Camille asked politely, her tone as cold as Freddy’s.

He knew it wasn’t directed at him. Nodding, he stepped outside for a few moments. The door was thick, but he could still hear Mr. Alexander making demands of Camille.

For some reason, he hadn’t gotten it through his head that he couldn’t do whatever he liked. He’d gotten a prenup before the wedding, and because of it, Brittany was already getting less than she likely deserved for putting up with his selfish ass for so long, but that still wasn’t enough for him. He didn’t want to have to give Brittany anything at all, even though he was the one who insisted she not work and be completely reliant on him. That she was still leaving him obviously pricked his pride.

Sighing inwardly, Freddy did his best to wait patiently until Camille opened the door again.