Page 29 of Tiger Betrayal

Stellan walked in from the service center with a frown etched into every part of his expression. He flashed her a gold-eyed glance and gestured for her to go first.

“What’s happening?” she asked.

“I’ll handle it,” he ground out.

Okay. She followed Stellan into a small office that was half-full of parts boxes. Stellan moved a few of the boxes off of a chair and gestured for her to sit down, while he stood and waited, glaring unblinking at Murph as he took a seat on the other side of the desk. She could see why Murph didn’t treat this room like an office. It was more like parts storage.

“Someone has filed a complaint,” Murph started.

“Craig the Crotch Stain filed a complaint,” Stellan corrected him.

Murph stared at Stellan. “You aren’t supposed to know when a complaint is filed with HR anonymously.”

Stellan pointed to his ear. “Then tell the Chatty Crotch Stain to talk quieter. Pretty sure everyone in the building knows he’s going after me.”

“Well, not just after you. After the both of you, and in a way, after me.”

“Tell him to suck a dick,” Stellan advised his boss. “A gross one.”

“I’m pretty sure HR would frown on that response.”

“What’s happening?” Laramie asked. “Are we in trouble?”

“Apparently there is a rule that no inner office relationships are allowed. If it happens, one of the people involved is supposed to be asked to leave.”

“Fine, I quit, and tomorrow, you’ll see me running Auto’s down the street,” Stellan said in a frigid tone.

Murph’s eyes went wide. “What?”

“You heard me. You also know me. They’ve offered me a job three times. If you push on this absolute bullshit, and you know it’s bullshit, I will work for your competition, and you can keep Craig the Crotch Stain running your service center.”

Murph swallowed hard. “Look, can’t you two just cool it? Just break up. You weren’t even talking for days, and you’ve only been getting along again for the last twenty-four hours, so can’t you just take a break on the relationship?”

“No can do, bossman, I’m not in the habit of letting crotch stains control my life.”

“Stop calling Craig that.”

Softly, Laramie offered, “I can leave.”

“No,” Stellan said sternly.

Murph tipped his head. “Look, if she leaves, it does solve some problems. I bet Auto’s would pick her up, especially with a good word from me—”

“Are you firing either one of us?” Stellan cut him off.

“Well…”

“Yes or no?”

Murph narrowed his eyes. “I’m just saying that if she left, Craig wouldn’t—”

“Have anything to bitch about because I will leave too, and again, you can have Craig run the service center. I’m sure he will fix his laziness issues with the added responsibility.”

“Stellan, it’s in the handbook. No inner office relationships.”

“Cool, I’m in the service center, Laramie is in the office.”

“So what? Is it an ultimatum? If I let Laramie go, you go too?”