Page 115 of Savage Bosses

“A new group of women?”

“Yes.”

“How many?”

“One hundred women.” I jotted the number down in my notebook. “Did Tim send this over to you like this?”

“Yes, he emailed it. I made sure there were no errors and then I printed a copy and emailed the same copy to you.”

“He didn’t put any effort into this. Almost ninety percent of the demos are Caucasian women. I’m trying to make this for all women 18 to 60. His findings are completely off base. Call Ebiotech testing and book all day three-day sessions ASAP. When they give you the availability, book as soon as you can. Put the request in for the test products and get them over there right away.

“It’s late in the day. I don’t think anyone is going to return my emails this late.”

“Email and then call. I need to fix what Tim fucked up. I knew I should’ve never hired someone who graduated from Southern Illinois University. What college did you go to?”

“Loyola.”

“Did you graduate?”

Why is he interrogating me? “Yes, I graduated.”

“Then why are you a temp?”

“Mr. Caldwell, that’s none of your business.” My frustration bubbled over and I got smart with him.

He narrowed his eyes, taken aback by my answer. “Watch your tone, temp girl. If you want to keep your job, you better watch your mouth.”

“Fine,” I said, clenching my fists to keep from snapping back at him. “What do you want me to do?”

“Call Ebiotech,” he growled. “And do what I say and leave my office.”

“Of course, Mr. Caldwell,” I said, biting back my anger as I stood and left his office.

I stormed over to my desk. “Unbelievable,” I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes yet again. I was back in my chair, hoping he didn’t call me in his office for the rest of the day.

As I worked through my mounting anger, I couldn’t help but wonder why Kyle was so insufferable. Was it really necessary to treat his employees like this? And yet, despite his tyrannical behavior, office gossip made it clear he was a jerk even before his parents died. Could it be his recent breakup? Kathy told me he once had a girlfriend. With his shitty attitude, I found that hard to believe.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of work and demands from Kyle. I quickly realized that working for him would not be easy, but I refused to let it break me. Instead, I put my head down and focused on doing my job to the best of my ability.

Chapter Three

AERICA

I

t was only Wednesday, but I had to get out of the office. I took my lunch at 12:00 PM and made sure I got back on time. As soon as I stepped out of the elevator, I wanted to turn around and go home.

When I got to the bullpen, the tension was palpable. The whispers and side-eyed glances made it clear something was off. I tucked my hair behind my ear and kept my head down as I made my way to my desk, hoping no one would notice me walking to my cubicle.

The click-clack of my heels against the tile floor echoed in the unnatural silence. I set my things down and glanced around. Small huddles of employees stood by the water cooler and the copy machine, leaning in close as they spoke in hushed voices. I sat down in my chair, hoping that man wasn’t in his office watching me.

Kathy popped her head over the cubicle divider. “Did you hear Kyle fired Josh?” she murmured.

“When did this happen?” I’d seen Josh earlier today.

“While you were out for lunch.” Kathy was eager with the gossip.

“Wait. What happened?” I asked because I was nosy.

---