Page 12 of Daddies' Little Troublemaker

Caleb and I look at each other. Caleb’s frustration and barely-disguised disgust matches my own. If Sims can’t pull it together, we’ll have to demote him and one of us will need to remain in San Esteban to finish the job while searching for a new project manager to join our firm. We don’t have time for this shit.

“Lincoln James and Caleb Swann are at the build,” Sims says into the phone. “If you want to keep your job, Holding, you’ll get your ass here sooner rather than later.”

I don’t hear the words on the other end. I don’t need to. I hear the attitude.

This guy has no respect for Sims.

“Never mind,” I say. “Tell him he can pick up his last check on Monday. He’s done.”

“But Holding is—” Sims pales. Holds the phone against his shoulder. “He’s one of the best construction workers we have. He’ll take everyone with him.”

“And his attitude sours everything,” Caleb says. “Fire his ass.”

Gulping, Sims puts the phone to his ear again. “You can get your last check on Monday.”

Tones of outrage come from the receiver. Sims looks like he’s going to apologize to the guy. I snatch the phone from his hand and tap the screen to end the call.

“Sims,” I say, “you’re a solid worker, but if your management is going to be this shitty, we can find someone else for the job.”

“No.” Sims shakes his head. Stands up straighter. “I feel…lighter. Holding was poison.”

I sigh. “I’m going to be here for a couple of weeks, Swann. I’ll help Sims get the build back on track in case some of the other builders leave with Holding. Can you do San Diego on your own?”

Caleb nods, then looks directly at Sims. “Sims. Don’t hire any more bullies.”

“Understood,” Sims says. “I have some old guys who worked with me before, I can give them a call, maybe poach them from their asshole boss.”

“Excellent,” I say.

Caleb and I leave Sims to his phone calls and step outside of the skeletal building.

“This build is a shit-show,” I say.

Stepping back, Caleb peers at the multi-story wannabe office building. “We’ll get it handled. We always do.”

I nod. He’s right. It’s why contractors and construction investors hire our firm. We get results, timely results, every time.

Caleb says, “Do you think she’ll go back to Vice tonight?”

It doesn’t take me even a heartbeat to guess what he’s talking about. Or rather, who he’s talking about.

“I don’t think she will,” I say, “and I’m not interested in going even if she is. The girl wanted to play games.”

“Nah. She freaked out. She wasn’t messing with us.”

“Either way, she’s trouble.”

“If I find her, I’m keeping her,” he says. “We could keep her. Together.”

I can only shake my head. Women tolerate my kind of loving for one or two nights, max. After that, they’re like Holding. They don’t want to be managed.

5

PRODIGAL DAUGHTER

Evelyn

On Saturday, I sleep in until just before check-out. Then I have to rush to shower and gather my things. My body is sore from last night’s fucking.

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