Page 16 of Brutal Kingdom

“Given the gravity of the situation you’re in, being tied to Bella, embarrassing files being the least of your worries makes sense. But you’re not the only person she’s got dirt on. Right?”

Am I? We’re all being tight lipped about it. “I still can’t answer that question. I’m assuming it’s Hal, Frankie, Bella and Tabby too. But with the exception of Tabitha, I say leave it in Bella’s hands to clean up. She’s the one who created this mess to begin with.”

“Come on bro, you share in the blame.”

“And I think I’ve paid enough for it, don’t you?”

“It’s not about what I think. It’s what daddy thinks, and clearly his thoughts are that you deserve a lifetime of misery. When did your relationship with the old man dissolve?”

“Fuck you, man. It hasn’t, and he doesn’t want me miserable. He wants McKay Media safe from my idiot cousin and having a future wife on my arm is supposed to show the board I’m responsible enough to join the family business.”

“Well, shit, I’ve got an easy fix for that. Pick someone, propose and dump them as soon as you ascend.”

That answer, once again shows, why he and I are so close. It’s like we share a brain sometimes. “I’ve considered that, but I can’t stand the thought of marrying any of the women he’s previously suggested.”

“Then pick one you can stand that he hasn’t thought to suggest.”

“Unless it somehow pisses off her parents, Tabby will never agree.”

“Tabitha?” His voice goes cold. “I wasn’t talking about her.”

“She’s the only person I wouldn’t have to worry about killing me in my sleep.”

“With the way her claws are always out, I wouldn’t be too sure.”

“She’s only like that with you, and anytime you wanna tell me what happened between the two of you, I’m all ears.”

“Nothing happened. She’s a fucking buzz kill.” Changing the subject, he says, “Now tell me you’re gonna be able to handle hell night. If not, I can shut down power on campus or set off the smoke alarms, and give you a chance to escape.”

“Leave the power grid and the smoke alarms alone, Einstein, and just make sure there’s no video footage leaving The Rift.”

EIGHT

LOGAN

Another round of laughter draws my attention to the bullpen. I can’t help the scowl on my face whenever I see the news team having fun together, and it’s all because of the person sitting in the middle of the crowd.

I should be over this by now. Past the point where anything Jordanna says or does bothers me. I should be, but I’m not. Just watching her swivel back and forth in her chair, running her mouth with the staff, irritates me. So does the way she looks in the summer dress and sandals she’s wearing. The thin material is just barely opaque enough to hide the outline of panties. I’m, of course, assuming she’s wearing panties. Because I can tell from here that the bra is non-existent.

No lie. My mouth salivates every time I catch a glimpse of her profile. I can see her nipple poking at her dress. We have the AC going. Maybe I should crank up the heat instead. She swivels again as Mal Webster walks by, swinging her foot out playfully as if she’s about to kick him. He jumps over it and laughs. Her eyes land on me, a vacant stare overtaking the smile on her face.

It’s not anger, lust or passion. It’s nothing, and that nothingness irks me more than her anger and dismissal ever did.

I stab at the delete button on my computer, reading another line of insignificant babble. Who the hell taught these people to write? Quick and succinct and punchy. That’s what I asked for. Instead, I’ve got run-on sentences, repeated thoughts and illogical structure. Was Tiffany high when she wrote this? I give up and return the file with one simple sentence.Redo the whole damn thing.That action brings me back to the time I kept returning Jordanna’s article, just so I could get her alone.

I watch as Tiffany stands, cutting her eyes at me, before walking over to Jordanna’s desk. She’s got her tablet in her hand and holds it out to Jordy, who takes it, then swings her eyes towards me. Did she just walk over there to see if her article was really as crappy as I said? Maybe if she would’ve done that first, I would’ve had some actual material I could edit. I encourage collaboration around here. The exchange of ideas is how we get our best work. But right now is not the time to commiserate with someone who has a vendetta against me. I stand, walking out of the newsroom to get some air. We have a staff meeting in ten minutes and I need to get myself under control before then.

“I suggest we cover the expansion of the highway system.” Jordanna says, looking around the room expectantly. “You know, the one they want to build over Teardon Lake from Ridgestone Crest to The Hollows. I’m wondering what kind of effect it’ll have on the marine life and ecosystem and if it will spill over to The Bluffs. I’ve already pulled some preliminary-”

“No. Anyone else?” I ask, cutting her off.

“I wasn’t finished.”

“You know how this goes, sixty-second pitch so we can hear everyone’s idea.”

“I still had thirty-two seconds left.”

“Next?” I scan the room, waiting for someone else to speak up.

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