Page 20 of Private Dancer

“Why yes, I saw it with my own eyes.” She insists. “She was also plotting to embezzle from the company. I have all the evidence right here.” She flops a file on the table.

Ah, got you, Karen, “Why would a paid intern risk embezzling from a company she is only temporarily working for?” I feign ignorance.

It’s almost comical how she opens her mouth and closes it like a fish out of water. I can see in her eyes her mind trying to come up with a good reason.

“She, ah, wanted more money.” When we continue to stare at her she finally cracks. “She’s a conniving little slut that has the three of you so fooled by her act that you are all a laughingstock in the company. Chasing after her and having sex at a strip club. Disgraceful.” She spits out.

I nod to Alec.

“You’re fired, Karen. Get your boney, jealous ass out of our building before I have security walk you out. Then who would be the laughingstock of the company.” Alec snarls, barely holding back his full fury.

“Well, I never.” Karen huffs and spins on her heel. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.”

Ryan steps in front of her, blocking her exit, “I suggest you keep your mouth shut about Bri and The Palace, or you can kiss your retirement pension goodbye.”

She smirks, and I know exactly what she is thinking; once she gets her hands on her pension, she will blab her mouth to everyone who will listen to her. It’s a good thing Ryan already thought of that.

“By the way, I’m the conservator over your pension; I decide how much a month you receive, if any.” Ryan snarls at Karen, his eyes void of emotion.

I don’t know if anything Ryan said is true, but Karen must believe him, “Yes, Sir. I won’t say a word about her to anyone.” She spits out, and I refuse to let her get the last word.

“Just remember, when you fuck with our girl, we will fuck with you,” I growl. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, I said I did. Now, please let me leave.” Her lower lip trembles, only partially soothing our need to have her feel the same amount of pain she must have inflicted on Bri when she fired her.

“One more thing before you go, Karen. And don’t try to lie your way out of it.” Alec scowls, “What did you say to Miss Rose when you fired her?”

“I, um.” She takes a deep breath, “I told her I knew about The Palace and all the sex acts she performed on the three of you.” She hesitates.

“And,” Alec growls.

“I told her she was one of many interns that the three of you use and discard like trash.”

Alec roars, lurching for Karen. Ryan steps between them, holding Alec back, and says, “Get out!” Ryan shouts at Karen.

She races out of the room faster than I’ve ever seen her move.

“How could Bri believe Karen’s lies? We each told Bri we loved her.” Alec flops down in a chair and slams his fist on the table.

“She might seem tough, but Bri is fragile, and Karen knew her weakness, us,” Ryan says.

“Karen must have been behind the emergency that pulled us all from the office this morning,” I mutter. “How did she ever think she could pull off firing Bri?”

“She’s a conniving snake, that’s how.” Alec bites out.

“That she is, but that doesn’t change what we need to do. We need to fix this or risk losing Bri forever.” Ryan says.

“How? You know Bri isn’t going to want to talk to us. At least not yet.” Alec groans.

“Unfortunately, we need to give her some space,” Alec growls at my words, and I hold up my hand, “I know, I don’t want to be without her for one minute either, but she needs time, and we need to fix the mess Karen created. Are we all in agreement to stay away from Bri until the time is right?”

“Yes.” Both Alec and Ryan reluctantly agree.

“Good,” I say with more conviction than I feel because God help me, I’m not strong enough to stay away from Bri for too long now that she’s come into our lives.

fifteen

Bri

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