Page 10 of Lying Lainey

For the most part, I was a mild-mannered man, or I’d like to think so. However, if you messed with my people, that was tossed aside, and the protective papa bear came out. It was not a pretty sight for those who got the full brunt of my anger, creating the fires Quintin complained about putting out.

“You dare come to my office and attack my employee for doing his job? To turn your question back on you… do you know who I am?” I demanded.

The man gawked at me. I knew what he saw—the contradiction of me owning my age and the ease at which I just treated him like a ragdoll must be making his brain explode.

“Mr. Norlund…” he started, but I held up a hand to stop him.

“If I don’t hear you begging for your life or that poor man’s forgiveness, then for your safety…” I paused and leaned forward so we were eye to eye, “… Do. Not. Speak.”

Leaving him to decide what he would choose, I left him in a terrified puddle on the couch to check on Sam. The Beta’s eyes were wide, his breath coming in quick, shallow puffs as he rubbed at his neck. Gently, I caught his wrist and pulled it away from his skin so I could see. At the moment, the skin was only red—no signs of bruising yet—but I wasn’t going to take a chance. I guided the man to his desk and urged him to sit, which he did without protest.

“Are you unharmed?” I asked.

Sam nodded his head slowly. “I’m fine, sir—”

“I know you’re not all right, so don’t even try that bullshit on me,” I warned, giving him a stern look. “My question wasn’t, are you fine. It was… are you hurt somewhere I can’t see?”

He swallowed, licked his lips, and dropped his gaze. “When he shoved me against the door, the handle slammed into my back. It makes breathing rather uncomfortable.”

Grabbing the phone, I hit the extension to the security office. It rang twice, then someone answered. “Fernando speaking.”

“It’s me,” I stated.

“Mr. Norlund, is Doc Brown needed?” Fernando asked, using the security phrase to ask if I was in danger.

“No, but I will need Angela. It seems she hasn’t shown up at work yet,” I informed our head of security, who started yelling at people setting things in motion. “Fernando, I also need you to call for Dr. Bardas. I need him to look over Sam for me.”

“I have people on their way to you, and I’ll send a car for Dr. Bardas. Then I’m going to hunt down whoever was supposed to be on your floor and find out why the fuck they weren’t there. Is there anything else you need, sir?” he asked, his irritation clear in his voice.

Whoever that person was, I felt bad for them. Fernando took his job dead seriously, and hearing that Sam was hurt would set him on a rampage. Neither of them knew I noticed, but the two men had been seeing each other and was how Sam got the interview. I didn’t give a shit about the fact they were together as long as it didn’t keep them from doing their job. In fact, I felt like it kept me safer to have his lover sitting outside my door.

“No, that’s all,” I shared, then paused, considering my next words. “Tell Dr. Bardas there are no major injuries, more of a precaution to ensure there’s nothing we need to keep an eye on.”

Fernando didn’t say anything right away but let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, sir.”

With nothing more to be said, I hung up and gently patted Sam on the shoulder before returning my attention to our guest. In a move I respected but also felt was moronic, Mr. Hays met my gaze, jutting out his chin at me. “While I do acknowledge my actions were uncalled for, your man there provoked it.”

“Did he now?” I commented, sliding my hands into my pants pockets and leaning against the front of Sam’s desk. “If you could explain, that would help and be appreciated.”

“When I arrived for our meeting, the front desk called up to let this young man know, and he had the audacity to make me wait at the front desk until he came down to get me. The security guard at the elevator then patted me down before joining us to arrive here. When I tried to enter your office, this Beta threw himself in my way, causing me to accidentally slam him against the door. It certainly wasn’t on purpose like he’s making it sound,” he blathered on, showing his entitlement loud and clear.

Before I could respond to that pile of garbage that came out of his mouth, three men in black suits arrived. They stood side by side, hands clasped in front, waiting for my orders. While we specialize in cyber security, I believe in knowing all aspects of the security realm, which is why we have our internal personnel we trained to handle our needs.

Pushing off the desk, I walked over to my briefcase, picked it up, grasped the long vertical handle, and pulled open one of the doors. “I think the best way to settle this is for me to see the whole thing for myself. Why don’t you join me, Mr. Hays, just in case I have any questions.” Turning my attention to the guards, I also handed out their instructions. “One of you with me, please, and the other two will stand stationed outside this door. No one enters, and no one leaves until I say.”

They nodded, and one broke off to follow the troublemaker into my office. “Sam, the moment Dr. Bardas arrives, let me know.”

“Of course, sir,” Sam assured me.

“Don’t let him out of your sight. One of you will follow him to make up for the fuck-up that happened this morning,” I ordered, pinning Sam with a look not to argue with me. He sighed and accepted his fate, flinching as he sat back in his chair.

Seeing that made me grit my teeth as I walked to my desk. Mr. Hays sat in one of the two chairs in front of it. I took joy in slamming my briefcase down on the chestnut-colored surface, making the man jump. With a grunt, I settled into the large leather office chair and stared at the man for a moment.

“If what I see on this video contradicts what you told me out there, I’m throwing your ass out of my building,” I warned.

“What?” Mr. Hays squawked, his eyes going wide.

Grabbing a remote, I flicked on the projector that was hidden in the ceiling and connected to my computer. “You think I should be scared since you work for the DOD… well, I’m not. I’m sure you’re used to getting a certain type of treatment, getting what you want just because you ask for it. That shit isn’t gonna fly here. I don’t care if you’re the Prime Minister himself, no one treats my people the way you just did.”