Page 58 of Tempest

First thing he was going to do when he got back to the office was fire that bird-brained girl. Who cared if she was hot? If she couldn’t keep her mouth shut, then she was of no use to him. “What can I do for you?”

Sherry sat back and raked her eyes over him. “I didn’t get the payday that you promised me. I spent a year with that man, and all he left me was a lousy quarter of a million dollars.”

Breathing in and out slowly, he tried to appear patient. “Sherry, I never promised you anything. As I recall, I merely suggested that Bill might enjoy your company.”

“Bullshit,” she hissed.

A couple of people turned around and stared, and he waved. She was going to get herself kicked out in no time. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to fix it. Those two snotty kids got everything. If you won’t help me, then I will have to take matters into my own hands. And if I do that, then I may feel it’s necessary to tell people what you and your daddy are up to.”

He leaned forward and let his façade of good manners fall away. No one threatened him, especially not someone like Sherry. “Listen. To. Me. If you want to enjoy a long life, I suggest you keep your threats to yourself. I have enough money and connections to ensure that you never open your mouth again.” He watched her eyes grow big and her breathing quicken. Good. He had nothing to lose, and he certainly wasn’t going to have this piece of trash extort him. That was for damn sure. “Nod if you understand.”

Sherry nodded, and he stood up and buttoned his jacket. “I hope this is the last time we see each other.” He turned on his heel and strode out of the bar. He’d better be getting good news from his guy in Midland shortly. He needed some. This day had been shit.

“We’ll see about that,” Sherry said to herself as she rose slowly from her seat. “Maybe next time, I’ll show you exactly how tough a girl from south Texas can be.”

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