Page 84 of The Laughing Game

“—isnotrunning thisbusiness!” Vihaal said, his voice raised. “I am! And I would ask you to remember that.”

I’d never seen him this angry, and boy, was it something. My pulse skyrocketed and my cock swelled in my pants. He was magnificent—blazing with barely contained fury—and I could see the effect it had on Dominic.

The manager sat down. He picked up a pen, then started writing on a piece of paper with furious motions.

“What are you doing?” Vihaal asked.

“I’m making note of this unfair treatment. I won’t be intimidated in this manner,” he stated, although his red face and trembling hand belied that assertion.

“Are you able to give my father a message, since you’re so close to him?”

“I suppose…” Dominic said, somewhat appeased. He put down the pen.

“You can tell him that I will be looking into the management of this store, and if I find anything that stinks of embezzlement or mismanagement, that you will be out the door. And I don’t give a fuck what he thinks.”

Dominic’s mouth fell open. Vihaal stood.

“Angel. Let’s go.”

Dominic stuttered a laugh and repeated my name in a jeering way.

Vihaal leaned forward and planted his hands on the desk. Dominic clutched the edge of the desk as if ready to propel himself back, if needed.

“I’ll fire you on the spot for insulting him. Apologize to Mr. Barnett, or you’re done,” Vihaal growled, a taut wire of restrained rage.

I sat there, eyes wide and genuinely frightened for Dominic.

Dominic stared at Vihaal. He hesitated a bit too long, and Vihaal slammed his hands on the desk, making Dominic’s things rattle and Dominic himself start.

“Apologize to Angel this instant,” he said, his voice alarmingly calm and quiet.

Dominic licked his lips and turned to me, summoning a very insincere smile.

“I’m so sorry for that remark, Mr. Barnett. Please accept my apology.”

I nodded. “Fine.”

Vihaal straightened, pinning Dominic with a withering glare.

“Come on. Let’s go,” he said, turning to usher me out of the office. I stayed close, not wanting to remain with Dominic a moment longer than necessary.

As we passed through the main part of the store, Alice, who was with a customer, glanced over with a worried look. It was entirely possible that she’d heard some of that.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Vihaal said to the customer—a middle-aged woman wearing an expensive-looking wool coat. “I need to talk to my associate for a moment.”

The woman blushed and stammered, faced head on with Vihaal’s considerable charisma. “Oh, of course! Take as long as you need, I’m still trying to decide.”

“Thank you so much,” he replied with a smile.

He led Alice over to the checkout desk.

“Yes, Mr. Petrovsky?” she asked.

“I only wanted to say that I’m very pleased with the job you’re doing here as Assistant Manager. Please let me know if Dominic is out of line in any way.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

“Have a wonderful day.”

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