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“Very true,” I agree with a smirk, hiding my surprise at the sudden attack. What’s up with him? “And in that small world, those same pretentious rich kids are hungry to win the game. Andfrustrated, rich kids who are sexually confused, so eager to bury their faces in their captain's ass, so willing to be used as sweet, little bitches. Recognize that?” Carter jumps out of his seat, face bright red, as he towers over my desk.
“Are you referring to Andy Johnson?”
“Andy, huh? We used to call the captain Drew, but I guess the both of you shared some cute little pet names? I wasn’t referring to him in particular, although your reaction is priceless.” I chuckle. It’s still so beautifully easy to rile him up. “Why don’t you take a seat?” Carter hesitates, poised over the desk for a moment longer, eyes bulging, mouth slightly open as he tries to regain his composure. “That’s it, down boy,” I whisper only for Carter to hear and he slowly slinks back in his seat. “Right, gentlemen. Although I do thoroughly enjoy a trip down memory lane, time is of the essence.” Without waiting for an answer, I flick through the folder displayed on my shiny wooden desk. It’s time to crack Charlie open and find his soft spot. Looking at his appalling presentation, it won’t be hard to find it before this case goes down the drain.
I look up and lock my piercing blue eyes with the hesitant gaze of the other man, who looks even paler and more insecure as he once again strokes his forehead. I give him a dazzling smile, before looking down at my folder once more, now fully aware that he’s following my every move. I can almost feel what Charlie’s thinking. Are there any holes in my allegation? Have I missed something in the fine print? From the way he looks overwhelmed by my office and by my little pissing contest with Carter, I know Charlie’s not used to this. Men in expensive suits and printed documents with logos on fancy desks always work to impress the likes of Charlie.
I fold my arms and sit back in my chair. I once more stare straight at Charlie, only this time there’s no smile on my face. “You’ve been a loyal employee of my client, Donnelly Holding Corp., for nineteen months, Mr. Wilkinson. They, or should I say,we, have an annual revenue of over a hundred million dollars. Care to elaborate on why you want to risk a good relationship and network with the family?” My voice sounds casual, yet its definite edge doesn’t escape the room.
Charlie shuffles uncomfortably in his seat and rubs his hands before spreading his fingers over his legs. “I don’t want to destroy the relationship I have with the Donnellys and I really enjoy working with you, with your family. Actually, I would like to stay with the family, but during my last job I was involved in a car accident and needed to go to the hospital. I had to stay there for a week. It doesn’t seem unreasonable for you to help me with the hospital bills or grant me sick leave.Paidsick leave that is.” Charlie babbles and by the time he finishes, he inhales deeply, seeming visibly shocked that all these words have just left his mouth in less than twenty seconds. He stares at Carter, who doesn’t spare him a glance but holds his eyes on me as he adds, “I would like us to take a look at the signed contract between Donnelly Holding Corp. and my client.” He crosses his legs as he takes out the paperwork from his briefcase.
“Of course,” I smooth.
There’s a soft knock on the door, followed by Ella and our coffee order. It’s a welcome distraction, because I temporarily have no clue how to save my ass. Both parties have signed the contract, in which sick leave has been discussed. We need to pay. The thing is, I don’t want to. There’s no fucking way that someone can barge into my office and play a different game.Myoffice,myrules. I watch as Carter takes a sip of his coffee, before I curl my lips into a charming smile. “I’m sorry that you were involved in that car accident, Charlie. Did you have someone to look after you, once you were discharged from the hospital?”
Charlie holds his cup halfway to his mouth, blinks his eyes, sets it down, and gives me a tentative smile. “My sister. She looked out for me, made sure I recovered fast. I would have been lost without her.” He ignores Carter’s warning wave and continues. “She’s very clever, you know, like yourself. Studies Software Technology. She wants to work in IT, just like your brother. She’s a student at Brunswick Academy, d’you know it?” I nod with a devious smile and watch as Carter once more waves a hand, but Charlie continues with enthusiasm, “that’s why I worked for the B-, the Donnellys. We needed the money for her tuition fees. Our parents left some money when they passed away, but it being a private school and all that—”
“You’ve made your point, Charlie.” Carter barks. “Now let’s not dwell on it and take a look at the contract that was signed by both parties.” I give them a smug smile. “You know, the Donnellys are very close to the McMartins. Theo McMartin is the director of Brunswick Academy. A very powerful man in this city.” I pause for effect and catch Charlie’s gaze once more. I lower my voice when I continue, “One call from my end and your sister could be expelled, you know?” I snap my fingers. “Just. Like. That. No matter her talent. And we don’t want that, do we?”
Charlie visibly gulps as the words take effect. His eyes drop to the document again as his demeanor deflates like a balloon.
“Gentlemen, there’s no need to make threats here. Let us take a look—”
“One single call,” I mumble, ignoring Carter. “I don’t think your sister deserves to be a victim of the fact thatyouare trying to play a game that’s only to be played by the big boys. Don’t you agree, Charlie?”
“On page three, article 3.1 states that—”
“Drop the case.” Charlie’s voice is barely more than a whisper.
“What?” Carter spits out, eyes wide.
“Excuse me, I didn’t quite get that?” I croon.
“I said we’ll drop the case.” Without looking so much as at me, Charlie stumbles up from his chair, sweeps a hand over his now dripping forehead and pulls his coat over his arm. “Let’s leave, Mr. Hutchinson.” He practically jogs to the exit and disappears a few seconds later.
Carter slowly gets up, his eyes glowering as he hisses, “You were always such a fucking asshole. What would it cost your family to compensate this man? You think you own the world. Well let me tell you, you don’t. Youdon’t.”
I lace my fingers on my desk and give Carter a self-righteous smile. “Ouch, that hurts, you know. The same goes for you though, Carter. Or what did Andy call you? Let me guess, Carty?” I stand up to my full height and stare him right in the eye. “Mr. Wilkinson should know better than to try to pull a fast one on my client. Don’t play a fucking game you know you cannot win. Now get your ass out of my office. My assistant will contact yours to get the paperwork done. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”
Carter huffs, tucks the contract into his briefcase, closes the button of his jacket, and makes his way out.
I catch myself staring at the photo once more. The skin on her face and neck is pale and I wonder if it’ll feel like silky satin when my fingers curl around the warm softness. I curse and throw the photo back onto my desk. I turn my gaze back to my screen and encourage myself to finish the conclusion on this case. But every time I tap a few words, my eyes wander back to the photo.
“Goddamn it!” I toss my coffee cup against the door and it breaks into a hundred pieces, sending coffee stains all over the wooden flooring and light-colored walls. That seems to do the trick, because a few minutes later I finish my conclusion and send it in an email to Ella.
My mood picks up and I’m pleased with myself and with the outcome of the case. That was fun. Guys like Charlie need to be protected from a world that is dominated by guys like me. If not, they’ll get burned, badly. I was merely protecting the guy by encouraging him to drop the case. Besides, I didn’t lie. Not entirely. The McMartins are friends with my parents. Although, one phone call wouldn’t get an innocent student expelled. But the fact that Charlie believes that, proves my exact point. Carter seemedangry. Jealous? Perhaps Daddy didn’t give him the position he so desired back at college? That would explain why he’s still in the city and hasn’t moved south. Or perhaps I was a bigger bully to the guy than I thought. Well, tough luck for Carter. The world is filled with nasty fuckers like me.
“Sir?” I open my closed eyes in irritation, I missed the knock on the door and—
“What?” I bark at the young secretary, who gives me a startled look.
“Oh, I didn't know, I didn't want to—”
“What is it, Rachel?” I snarl impatiently.
“I’ve got your father on the phone, Sir. Shall I—”
“Of course Rachel. Why are you even asking?”
