Page 168 of Hiding in the Outfield

I grab a sparkling water for me and a regular bottle for him. I slide it to him and lean against the counter opposite him. “Is there something I can help you with?”

He’s so silent and stoic; I’ve never been able to get a read on him. A part of me feels like he’s here to kill me as part of some sort of mafia ploy. Not sure why I’d be a target, though. Gen always teases me about how fanciful I am, but he just has that vibe. The thick, glinting Rolex and tattoo peeking above his shirt collar don’t help with my imagination.

“We have recently had a position open up in the San Francisco office. I’d like for you to be the one who fills it.”

I try to contain my surprise. So not mafia related. I take a sip of my water as I choose my words carefully. “I appreciate you thinking of me, Kieran. Unfortunately, I am looking for a change, and I don’t think I can achieve that at Mercari.”

There. A nice way of saying I am looking to be as far from soulless bastards as possible, and unfortunately, the San Francisco office has a huge one in charge of it.

He watches me, and I do my best not to shift.

“As you know, I head the West Division at Mercari.”

I look from side to side. Yes…

“Which means the head of each West Coast office reports to me. I am very particular about who I appoint to head each office. It has come to my attention that I recently made a poor choice.”

“I’m…sorry to hear that.”

His lips twitch. “I also learned that one of our star consultants recently moved out to San Francisco. But left the company.”

“Kieran, I’m really not following.”

His jaw sets, and he leans forward. “I know what Nick did. I know what he did six years ago, and I know what he propositioned you with a month ago.”

My face flames. My olive skin isn’t hiding this blush. How effing mortifying. Like, why don’t I just take off my briefs and wave them in the air—here’s my dirty laundry!

Kieran’s nostrils flare and his cheek tics. “He has been fired, and I can promise you he won’t be finding work in San Francisco now.” He taps the counter. “Anywhere.”

I take a sip of blessedly cold water. Okay. Total mafia boss, I don’t care what Gen says.

Speaking of…

“Gen told you,” I say quietly.

“Yes. She stormed into my house in an absolute rage. Warranted, Francesco. What he did was abhorrent. He took advantage of a junior employee. He used his position of power against you to ensure your silence.”

“You believe my word over his?” As much as I appreciate it, I’m having trouble believing he’d go to these lengths based on word of mouth.

He arched a brow. “I have my way of…validating things. It wasn’t difficult to find a certain lease from six years ago with both your and Nick’s names on it. Everything I found aligned with what Genevieve told me.”

“Gen’s a gem.” My words come out thick. She’s a true friend. One of the very few I’ve managed to make outside of Paulie’s. The distance never mattered to us.

Kieran makes a non-committal noise. “She’s something,” he mutters.

I cross my arms and lift a brow at him. Speaking of power dynamics.

He reads my mind. “Gen’s and my…” He stretches his head from side to side. “Relationship is documented with the company.”

My chin jerks in. I wasn’t expecting that.

“The last thing I’d ever do is hurt her.”

I barely catch the whispered words, and it just raises more questions about whatever it is that’s going on between them.

He steeples his fingers and watches me over them. “So does that change your answer at all?”

I worry my lip. I think it does. “This would essentially be my same role as before, just assigned to San Francisco?”