Page 107 of The Revenge Agenda

“He’s lying.”

“He better be. Because if you’re going to bring me up on harassment, there had better be some goddamn evidence.”

“I would never.”

“Good.”

“I’m the face of this company,” Ian pushes. “I’d never do anything to hurt it, and the fact you’re choosing to believe two … two … burned exes instead of one of the highest-ranked salesmen in your company is insulting.”

“No, what’s insulting is two of your burned exes barging into my office and making claims against you. I am pissed, Ian, that I’m having to deal with this today. So no, I won’t be taking their word on it. I won’t be taking yours either. I will be running checks on Hunter myself, and if they come back as anything other than squeaky-clean, I’ll be making some calls. You better hope no one so much as utters your name.”

“You can’t …”

“Can and will. You can all see yourselves out. I now have a busy afternoon ahead of me.”

I jump immediately out of the seat, and Rush follows me, hand slotting into mine on the way to the door. His expression is as conflicted as I feel because it’s hard to know how that went. Shore seems like a good guy, the kind who wants things kept aboveboard, but how the hell would I know if he’ll actually help or just cover up what Ian is doing?

I wish I could have pushed more, but?—

I’m shoved so hard from behind I fly into the wall. My face smacks against plasterboard, and a thick arm presses against the back of my neck.

“How fucking dare you,” Ian hisses. “Happy now? He’s going to fire me. You know how hard I’ve worked for this job, how I’ve done everything I can to be the best. And then you come in here making up lies?—”

I try to throw him off me. “If it’s a lie, he won’t find a reason to fire you, will he?”

“Fuck you.” He shoves me again. “All you’ve done is ruin my goddamn life. I hope you’re happy when I’m homeless. When I have no job. Nothing. All because of you.”

At one point, maybe I would have believed him. Thought that in some way it was my fault, but now? All I want to do is laugh in his face. He’ll never see himself as the problem. He’ll never take accountability. And damn do I thank the universe that Rush showed up that night because not only did it bring us together, but it also got me far, far away from Ian.

“…thought you might be interested in seeing this,” comes Rush’s voice.

Ian immediately drops his grip, and when I glance back, Shore is in the hallway, jaw somewhere around his ankles.

“Home. Now.”

“But—”

“No. You’re suspended until further notice. Assaulting someone in my office?” Shore looks like he’s about to breathe steam. “Get out.”

Ian shoves me one last time before leaving. The three of us stand there watching him go.

“Are you okay?” Shore asks.

“I’m …”

“No.” Rush whirls to face Shore. “He’s not okay. He’s emotionally and physically wounded. Without a home to return to, I don’t see him being able to recover.”

Shore eyes Rush for a moment, then glances back at me. “Excellent rental history, you say?”

“Perfect. No missed payments, everything maintained and looked after.”

“Do you have the number for the last people you rented through?”

“I do.”

“Right.” Shore heads to reception and talks to the man who showed us to his office. “Make a meeting for Hunter to see Jodie, please.”

“No problem.”

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