Page 22 of Failure to Match

I wasexhausted, that’s what. And angry. And incredibly sick of being taken advantage of. My well was empty. Last night had drained what little energy and patience was left, and this morning had refilled it with bitter acid.

“Vivian,” I said, emphasizing her name with the same lack of enthusiasm she often used with mine, “you’ve been taking advantage of us for months. You knew from day one that Jackson’s requirements for a partner were beyond unreasonable and that his lack of direct participation would end up causing us major issues. That’swhyyou assigned three junior consultants to him in the first place. You needed someone to blame after this whole thing blew up, and you didn’t want to lose anyone you deemed valuable. So, excuse me if I’m not all that keen on providing you with any additional free labor.”

The words flowed out of me with effortless, unrushed ease. I didn’t stutter, look away, or cower even an inch. Funny what you’re capable of when you have absolutely no fucks left to give.

The blotches on Vivian’s face had spread down to her neck, disappearing under the deep vee of her silk blouse. But before she could open her mouth and slice into me again, I said, “I’ll do it under three conditions. One, Alice and Mitch have employment immunity while I’m doing the Immersive. You can’t fire them.”

She laughed.

It was a dry, scraping sound that didn’t even come close to reaching her eyes. “Oh please. I don’t know who you think you are in this room right now, but I’m notaskingyou to do this, Jamie. You don’t get to?—”

“Then no.” It was that easy.

She stopped, her eyes darting to Mitch and Alice before narrowing. It was one thing to have her authority undermined in private, but another thing entirely to have it happen in front of others.

“I have three conditions,” I repeated. “Either all three are met, or I don’t do it.”

“You’ll be fired if you don’t,” she told me point-blank.

See, that had been her biggest mistake. I’d been so acutely aware that I was going to lose my job over this file that I’d eventually just accepted it. There was no fear or shock value left in her threat.

I shrugged. “If I get fired, so does Charmed.”

I had her. I knew I had her when she crossed her arms and raised her chin, looking down at me like I was beneath her.

“What are the other two conditions?”

I had to swallow my smile.

“I want half the bonus upfront.” The bill for the clothes was due in seven days and their policy very explicitly stated that they wouldn’t grant extensions. “And I want you to write all three of us glowing recommendation letters for future employers, which you will adhere to when they call you for a reference.”

Because even if the events of last night made their way through the industry’s overactive rumor mill, a glowing recommendation from Vivian Hale could potentially offset it. It was our best bet.

The room held its breath while she contemplated her options. Eventually, she caved. “Fine. You’re expected in my office first thing tomorrow morning. All three of you are dismissed for the day.”

It was the answer I’d expected. I knew she would agree because I hadn’t left her a choice. Still, as soon as she was gone, a sense of relief, pride, and satisfaction swirled up my torso.

“Dude,” Mitch breathed, his eyes wide with awe. “That was fucking incredible. Holy shit.”

“Who’s got the balls of steel now?” Alice said with an impressed nod of acknowledgment. “Way to go, Paquin.”

It felt unbelievably good to give Vivian a tiny taste of her own medicine. To be the one who stood up for the group.

How much better would it feel when I did the same to Jackson, I wondered.

He’d put me through eight months of pure hell, and karma had presented me with the perfect opportunity to return the favor. Tit for vengeful tat.

And I had two full weeks to plot my revenge.

6

“What the hell is that?”

Those were the first words Jackson Sinclair said to me when I entered his home, two weeks after our meeting.

“It’s a cat,” I answered flatly. What a stupid question. “This is what they look like withfur.”

His eyes narrowed. He didnotlike it when I insinuated he was an idiot—got it.

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