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SEVEN
Joseph
“Mr. Russo.” Renee greetedin surprise when I strode into her office. She quickly stood up, smoothing her skirt down. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
I closed her office door behind me, keeping anyone from hearing our conversation. “My PA is currently busy.” I told her. She swallowed nervously, trying to hide it, but I caught it. After so many years of securing business deals, I had trained myself to pick up those kinds of signals. “It’s unfortunately an assignment I need done right now.” I smoothly lied. “I came to get whatever you needed to go over with her.”
“I, um,” she stumbled over her words, clearly not having expected me to come down and face her, “I wanted to actually discuss her behavior in the company.”
I arched an eyebrow at her. “Behavior?” I quietly asked, reining in my temper. It would do no good to explode in Renee’s face. Despite being pissed at her for trying to override me, she was still a damn good HR manager. I sat down in the chair in front of her desk and gestured for her to take her seat again. She nervously did so. “Please explain to me what behavior I’ve missed.” I instructed. “I definitely need to be aware of these kinds of things, especially in someone who works so closely with me.”
“Well, it’s not her behavior, per say.” Renee stammered. I arched a single eyebrow at her. “Sir, it’s against company policy for her to fraternize with other employees.”
I leaned back in the chair I was sitting in, linking my fingers together in my lap, my elbows resting on the arms of the chair. “So, I’m assuming this has to do with the fact that she was caught out with me last night?” I asked.
Renee’s cheeks darkened, and she cast her eyes away from me. “Yes, sir.”
I drew in a deep breath. “So, why is she the only one being penalized?” I asked. Renee snapped her wide eyes to me in alarm. “That is why you wanted her to come down, yes? To penalize her? To fire her for breaking company policy?”
She opened her mouth and then closed it. It was clear she didn’t know how to answer me.
I stood up and narrowed my eyes at her, protectiveness for my woman sliding through my veins. “Let’s make something clear here, Renee. One, the policy is in the process of being removed. The publicity team is already working on releasing my statement to the press.” I placed my palms flat on her desk and leaned over it, getting into Renee’s personal space. “And, if you read page twenty-two of the company policy, it covers another rule that you’re failing to remember.”
“Which is?” She squeaked.
“I’m the only one who can fire any of my assistants.” I warned her. “Keep that part of my company policy at the forefront of your brain, clear?” I stood up and straightened my suit jacket. “It was good speaking with you, Renee. Keep up the great work.”
I turned on my heel and walked out of her office, heading back towards mine.
