Page 57 of Defended By Love

“Preliminary thoughts are that the chemical agents used by the fumigators reacted with a compound that was meant to seal some of the structural components of the building’s frame. Several of the neighbours reported hearing a series of loud cracks, which supports the scientific explanation. Isn’t that what people are saying?”

I nod along like he’s not spouting off the most superficial, science-sounding nonsense I’ve ever had the misfortune of having to withstand. Unfortunately, I can see this playing great in the papers. Chemicals, witnesses, and the miracle that no one was hurt. What headlines.

“The fumigation wasn’t set to start until tomorrow morning,” I counter.

Beth raises her eyes to mine and gives, what I think, is an almost imperceptible nod. Suddenly, her offer to bring muffins to ‘help out’ makes a bit more sense. Who would’ve thought Beth had a bit of shark in her after all?

“They started early,” Dominic says through clenched teeth.

I stop. I stop and I listen. I stop playing the role of suck-up mentee and try to view this situation as impartially as I can. If I had to judge Dominic on just his actions today alone, there are two conclusions that come readily. The first, is that he’s an asshole. The second is that he’s in on this.

“There weren’t any cracking sounds and there weren’t any witnesses,” I say in a low, even voice, just in case what I say gets written off as emotional.

The tall, scarred man’s eyes narrow into piercing points of blue ice. He stares me down in a gesture that I’m sure has made lesser people crumble. I stare right back.

“Price,” he snaps. “Remind me: who this pest is and why you have you been unable to muzzle her insinuations?”

Dominic, full purple, steps forward. Almost between us. I don’t break eye contact with the tall man. If Dominic won’t stand up to him, I will. We are an environmental law firm mandated to protect the earth and he is nothing but a polluter and a bully. He is exactly the kind of person I’ve vowed to take down.

“She’s nothing. Just one of our sea of mediocre associates.”

I flinch, but I don’t back down.

“I’m going to let you know right now that that story you’ve concocted about the structural integrity of our building isn’t going to work. I was in the building last night and that’s not how it happened. So, why don’t you go back to your boss, Zagreus Hart, and let him know that whatever you had planned isn’t going to work. None of it is going to work because I won’t let it. I’m going to tell everyone how the building really fell and I’ll see you in court if you do anything to stop me.”

If I’ve gotten under the tall man’s skin, it doesn’t show. His lips quirk and his eyes flash, but it’s not with anger. If anything, amusement shines back at me.

Amusement that is not mirrored in Dominic.

“Goddamnit, Hailey,” he spits. “If you say one more word, it’ll be your last as a representative of this company.”

I break eye contact with the tall man. Did Dominic just threaten to fire me? I know I’m a bit out of line, but not that much. I’m right. This is what we do.

This is not how Dominic talks to me. No, I’m kiddo and finger guns. I’m claps on the back and praise. I’m his right-hand man.

“Granted, my behaviour earlier was a little unanticipated,” I cede. “This though, this is exactly how we need to proceed. Bringing crimes to light is what we do. We bring down polluters like him.”

Dominic breathes out a ragged breath. “I don’t have the time or the patience to hold your hand today and spoon feed you endless praise. Remember the NDA you signed when you came on with the company and keep your mouth closed. Now, get the hell out of here.”

I freeze.

Out of all the things that have happened to me lately, this seems the most surreal. Am I really being gagged and banished by my mentor? Over some very obvious dirty dealings?

And is he seriously reminding me of the NDA?

“The NDA only applies to external conversations. I’d like to hear what the name partners have to say when I tell them about this.”

Dominic squares his shoulders and steps towards me. He’s in my space looming over me. Even though I know he would never be stupid enough to hurt me, the threat is there. It’s a tactic I’ve seen him use countless times, and yet I never stopped to consider how fucking awful it is.

“Then consider yourself fired. Now leave before I get someone to make you leave.”

Before I can say anything, Grant steps in front of me and into Dominic’s face. While Dominic is an older man whose physique shows he spends more time at the gym than with his family, he’s no match for the cartoonish perfection that is Grant.

But this isn’t his fight.

I grab Grant’s hand and pull him out of the way.

“You have no grounds to fire me. I know I could make a case for whistleblower—”

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