Page 6 of Punish Me

Shayla frowns, asking, “Wait. I thought you said it was someone named Mike Capp, Clark, Cant—”

“Cape. Mike Cape apparently up and died the day after they informed me that I was hired. I quit my role as CFO at my sister’s billion-dollar company and go through three months of interviews to work for the guy, and he doesn’t even have the decency to hang-around. What does he do? Ups and kicks the bucket, pushing up daisies from six feet under!”

“Damn, that’s harsh, baby girl,” Brayden says.

“No! What’s harsh is that his ass then has Ambrose Charles come in as his fucking replacement because he mentored him! Of all the people in the world!”

“What’s your issue with Ro,” Brayden asks. “You always seemed to have an attitude with him whenever you crossed paths with us at school or when he came home with us on break.”

“He’s always been an arrogant, immature asshole who needs to grow up.”

I bite my tongue at the last minute just before spilling the beans. It would serve Ambrose’s ass right if I told my brother the truth about his best friend, except I can’t because I know that it will hurt him. I know he’ll feel betrayed by Ambrose and me, too, and I just can’t do that to him.

“No nepotism on his watch. Can’t have people thinking that his best friend’s baby sister got the job because of a favor. So, what does he do? He rides my ass hard!” I snap.

I grab my wineglass and take a long gulp as I recollect when he rode my ass. And he rode it long and hard. Now is not the time to think of Ambrose in that fashion, especially after I drilled it into him that we needed to let go of our past; there was nothing to recall, and we needed to keep it platonic.

“I think he’s just doing his job, baby girl.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that Ambrose was the new CEO?” I ask.

“I hadn’t spoken to him lately because he’s been out of town, and I’ve been buried in some new projects at work,” he says, frowning.

“The only thing that matters is that you’re working in your dream job, sis. Get in there, prove yourself, and before you know it, you’ll be working independently of him,” Shayla says, shrugging her shoulders.

“Exactly. You’re the Chief Administrative Officer at one of the largest construction companies in the nation. You may have quit Layla Amara, but Top Tier ain’t peanuts. It’s on the same level as our company, if not higher. Baby girl, get out there and shine! That’s what you do. That’s what you’ve been great at for the last decade. You show Ro who’s the boss. In the meantime, I’ll call him up and have a little chat with my boy.”

“No!” I shout, frowning as my heart beats out of my chest.

“Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to look like little Brynlee, who always used to run to her big brother when shit didn’t work out. The one that always had her brother running in to save her.”

“That’s what I do?” Brayden asks, pulling his beer to his lips.

“Yes, you do, but not this time, Bray. Please.”

“I won’t be too harsh.”

“I know. I’m just...well, I need to prove myself. You said it yourself; I’m a CAO now, and the last thing I need is anyone else fighting my battles. You calling him makes it look like I can’t cut the mustard. Give me a chance. I can handle Ambrose Charles,” I say in a fiery tone.

“All right, sis. Just let me know if he gets out of pocket. Don’t make me break my size thirteens off in his ass.”

Shayla scowls and shakes her head. “She’s right, Bray. You can’t keep running to her rescue.”

“What exactly is the issue?” he asks.

“He’s rude, Brayden. Honestly, he’s worse than he used to be. I don’t know how he could be a friend of yours, let alone your best friend. He’s changed.”

“Interesting. He said the same thing about you.”

“He called you?”

“No. I called him to see how you were doing on your first day.”

“Bray!”

“I just wanted to make sure everything was going well.”

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