Page 30 of Tiger Betrayal

“One hundred percent and I will lose zero sleep over it. Fuck, I may just buy the building across the street out of spite and open my own tire shop, and we can see who’s business goes under first.”

Murph just stared at Stellan. “If I didn’t know you better, I would say you are bluffing.”

Stellan’s smile was cold as ice. “I don’t bluff.”

Murph blew out a breath of frustration and leaned back into his creaking office chair. “Can’t you just pretend you aren’t together?”

“No.” Stellan didn’t even hesitate. “Can’t you just change the stupid rule?”

“Well…I don’t think so. The handbook was made by our corporate office.”

“Then pretend you don’t see us,” Stellan advised. “Blink real long when we walk by or have lunch together. It’s not like we’re fucking in the hallway.”

Stellan didn’t seem to need her help, so Laramie just sat there looking back and forth between the man she had a mega-crush on, and her boss.

“Look, I have my boss on my back right now and I don’t have time for any of this, Stellan. We’re freaking busy this week. They’re asking for someone to be fired!”

“Great.” Stellan jammed a finger at the oversized computer monitor that had a bunch of squares with computer footage. “Watch that,” he gritted out.

Stellan had filled the room with a heaviness that was starting to suffocate Laramie. He gripped the back of her neck gently, and it comforted her. It was a quick squeeze to say, ‘it’s okay.’ He left the office and the door swung closed behind.

Murph was pinching the bridge of his nose like he had a headache.

From here, she could see part of the security footage, but Laramie stood and locked her arms on the desk to get a better look. She could see Stellan walking through each frame as he made his way to the service department.

Craig was loading a tire on the machine, and Stellan said something to him. Craig popped back, and then Stellan said something else. And then Craig reared back and hit Stellan right across the face. Hard.

Only Stellan’s face didn’t snap back, or even flinch, and Craig doubled over holding his hand.

Stellan said something else and then left. Just…let Craig hit him and left the service center with all the other guys meandering over and wondering what was happening.

Stellan could be seen drifting in and out of the different camera angles and then he made it back to the office, closed the door behind him, and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “He hit me,” Stellan said simply. “It super-hurt and I don’t feel safe in this work environment.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

Laramie snorted and ducked her gaze and covered her mouth with her hand to contain the shocked giggle she was trying to hide. Stellan’s face wasn’t even red from being punched, but in the security footage, Craig was throwing a fit about his hand and yelling at everyone.

Murph parted his lips but then seemed to change his mind on whatever he was going to say. Instead, he cleared his throat, and told Stellan, “Tell Craig to come in here.”

“Sure thing, boss,” Stellan said, did an about-face and he could be seen drifting in and out of the camera angles again.

Laramie was pursing her lips as hard as she could, trying to keep her laugh hidden in her throat. This was insane.

“It’s not funny,” Murph muttered.

Laramie would laugh if she said anything, so she shook her head. Nope, not funny at all.

“Seriously, this is not funny.” Murph crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head as he watched the video footage of Stellan opening the service center door and yelling out something to Craig. The guys were still gathered around him.

“Am I dismissed?” she asked.

“Stellan is a huge pain in my ass, you know,” he told her.

She nodded. Okay.

“But he’s so freaking good. Our sales have doubled and our production time has been cut in half since he started here.”

“Double edge sword,” she said, trying to sound understanding.

“Get out of here. You and Stellan both take the rest of the day off. Let me handle Craig.”