Page 24 of The Devil's Conflict

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn him. “I’m perfectly capable of handling this shit by myself, and I did. I’ll let Shadow know, put it in the report, and leave it at that.”

Bowie nods, but I also have a feeling he’s going to be looking into the twerp too. “Fine. And any time that shit happens, call one of us in case you need back-up. And so you have a witness in case you have to beat his ass,” he adds with a wry smile. Then he walks away and I roll my eyes. Yeah, like I’m going to do that. All that will do is make it seem like the little woman can’t handle something and has to call in a man to do it.

No, thank you.

I type up the report quickly, and then I head toward Shadow’s office to let him know that I’m heading out. I knock on the closed door, and then pause when I see Sniper open the door. We stare at each other for a short second, and I see the hard look on his face. I adjust myself and look past him to see Shadow, Viper, Bullet, and Crypt in the room. “Sorry,” I say quickly when they all look at me. “Didn’t realize you were busy. Just wanted to let you know that I’m done and the report has been sent to you.”

Shadow nods. “Thanks. Any major problems?”

I shrug. “Nothing I can’t handle. It’s all in the report.”

“Hold on,” Shadow says, turning to his computer.

“I don’t want to hold up your meeting.”

“You’re not,” Sniper says tightly, and I can feel his gaze assessing me. Then I hear a low sound in his throat that has me looking at him swiftly. His hands are on my red knuckles. “What the fuck happened to your hand?” he demands, quicklysnatching it before I can yank it away. I try to pull it away again, but he holds fast.

I am not in the mood for being grabbed again. Before he can react, I bring my other hand up and manage to get to one of the pressure points in his neck. He curses and drops my hand, glaring at me furiously. “You’re lucky it wasn’t your balls,” I tell him coldly. “And I’m done being grabbed today, so you can fuck off.”

His eyes darken at my words. “Who grabbed you?”

“Seems I’ll be paying a visit to our client,” Shadow replies darkly. Then turns to me, the same look on his face. “And what I want to know, is why you didn’t report this earlier today? He broke the contract multiple times, and him grabbing you is enough to have that fucker black-listed and paying triple.”

“Because I was perfectly capable of handling it myself,” I reply, ignoring Sniper’s low curse.

Shadow narrows his eyes at me. “So, what, you want to have to handle all that bullshit yourself, just because you don’t want help?”

“No, I don’t want your help because I can handle it myself,” I tell him shortly. “You really think that any client is going to respect me if you or any of the other men come running in to play hero and rescue me instead of letting me handle it on my own? No wonder you haven’t had any women working for you before. Now, I’m going to head home because I’m tired of men today. I’ll see you Monday.”

“You’re not going anywhere yet,” Sniper barks. “Shadow, what’s this fucker’s name?”

I don’t bother sticking around. Instead, I turn and stalk away, ignoring Sniper’s orders to come back. I just grab my shit and head out of the door. I don’t even glance at anyone else. Maybe this was a mistake. One bad day, one bad client, and they’realready acting like they’re the ones who have to save the day. Just like it was with my team. Or rather, so-called team.

I climb into my car, and I glance over when I see the door to the building open. Out walks Sniper, but I don’t stick around. Instead, I just pull out and drive away, heading for home.

The entire drive, my mind is swirling with anger, but also, doubt. Doubt that this is what I should be doing. I love it, despite how it started, but I can’t be part of something where I’m not valued as a team member, and at least respected enough to know that I can handle something. It’s like just because I’m a woman, all the things I’ve done, the ranks that I made on my own, they don’t exist. All they see is someone smaller and weaker, and that’s that.

You’re just mad. Don’t be rash.

I pull into the parking lot of my apartment building and groan, scrubbing my hand over my face. I hate this shit. In the Forces, there was no overthinking. I had to get shit done and hope to God I knew what I was doing, because all of this was time that couldn’t be wasted. My team was counting on me. Just like I was counting on them. And while this isn’t the same, it still feels like it did when I was with them and things were going to shit. They didn’t think I could handle it being a woman and wanted to swoop in and do it all and take all the credit. But I’m not allowing that to happen here. Not again.

Either they respect me, or they don’t. They hired me to do a job, and they need to trust me to do it. Plain and simple. And if they can’t, I’ll find a new job that will. Or maybe it’s time to move on and find something out of state that will be more up my alley. But none of that is going to get sorted today or even this weekend.

I climb out of my car and head up to my apartment. It’s time to get to work on forgetting all about it.

One thing about me, when I’m pissed or feeling a lot of emotions, I rage clean. The place is spotless by the time I’m done, and practically gleams with all the elbow grease I’ve put into it. I glance at the clock and realize it’s almost midnight. Shit. I didn’t mean to spend this much time, but it needed it, clearly.

I move to turn off the lights so I can head to the shower and get ready for bed, but I stop when I hear my phone ding. I groan when I see a message from Theo.

Theo: Did I leave my boots at your place? I only have my spares on and they’re not all that comfortable.

I roll my eyes. I swear that boy would lose his head if it wasn’t attached. But I already know the answer so I text him back.

Me: Yeah you did.

Theo: Would it be terrible for you to bring those to me at the bar? I’m bouncing tonight and these boots are killing my feet.

I stare at the message. He can’t be serious.

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