Page 47 of His Rules

However, that didn’t mean I couldn’t get a little dirt on the man. It might come in handy. Especially since he’d acted like I was part of his growing list of problems. I’d already noticed a few red flags, but with heading back to New York, I didn’t have the time needed to delve into the issues.

What I did know was that if a single additional contract was pulled, the financial crunch would start to crumble the company from the inside out. That hadn’t taken an expert to see. He was well aware something was off, but hadn’t pushed any buttons as of yet to find out why.

That surprised me.

“That man is like Napoleon only much better looking,” Babs finally piped in.

“Has he always been that way?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“Pretty much since I got here six years ago,” Babs answered. “It was much worse when he was fighting with his wife.”

“Oh, God, yes,” Sheila said, whistling. “She truly dragged him through the wringer.”

Winter folded one arm across her chest as she sat back. “Do you blame her? Can you imagine being married to him?”

“Honey, I have it under good authority she ran around on him.” Sheila shook her head.

“Really?” I asked.

She nodded. “The rumor mill has it was with a friend too. I don’t have any other specifics. Everything was pretty tight lipped, but I used to hear them arguing. And don’t say anything. I don’t want to lose my job over his sex life.”

“Speaking of sex. I wouldn’t mind going a round with him if I could use a ball gag.” Babs laughed. I happened to know she’d been happily married to the same man for over thirty years.

“Yeah, who needs a man to talk during hot sex?” Winter asked the question, but all four were laughing.

Meanwhile, I was thankful I had on my sunglasses. If I hadn’t thought to bring them with me, they’d know how hard I was blushing.

“I have a feeling you can handle him though,” Sheila said to me directly after their chuckling had calmed down.

“God knows he needs someone. Can you imagine your wife sleeping with a friend?” Winter sighed. “There has to be something good about him other than being Mr. Hotty of the year.”

“He’s not that hot,” Debbie insisted.

I was only half paying attention, but it only accentuated that he was sizzling, not just hot.

“I feel a little sorry for him,” I said more in passing. Learning the truth about him did provide an insight to his constantly grouchy moods. “He’s not a man who likes to lose.”

“No, he’s not. Rumors are flying around you were hired to eliminate staff. Is there any truth to that?” Babs was pointed, which was something I already appreciated about her.

“I’ve been here a week and taking next week to get out of New York. I have zero recommendations at this point, but I don’t see the need.” That was just another lie. A few positions had already been eliminated, but another twenty percent would need to be laid off if I couldn’t find a way out of the mess.

If the man would allow me to talk to make suggestions.

Just thinking about him created a throbbing pulse between my legs. It had to be a natural reaction to the fact he was a jerk. There was no other reason. Good looks were nothing when you were a jerk.

“That’s good to hear. I have babies to feed. Lots of babies.” Babs grinned. “My husband runs a farm. I’m the big breadwinner.”

“Oh.” I almost felt sorry for her. If I had any success with getting the two owners to alter their contracts, her position wouldn’t be needed. “Well, I should get back to work.”

“Good luck in New York,” Sheila said as I got up.

“Thanks.” Why did I have a feeling that Sebastian Winfield held a basket of secrets?

I headed toward the elevators, unable to stop processing what I’d just heard. What I’d learned over the years of working in business was that money didn’t make the man. Being an owner of a company or a name didn’t make that person any more important than anyone else.

The only thing that mattered in my mind was if the person was decent, kind, generous. That was true wealth to me and so far, I’d seen none of that from Sebastian. Did that mean he deserved to be hurt by someone? I’d be lying all over again if I didn’t say an arrogant prick like him didn’t deserve to be put in his place, but I had a feeling the failing relationship had been a significant blow. If only to his ego.

I stepped off the elevator, immediately running into Drake. He seemed friendly enough, although I’d noticed him leering at me more than once. It always made me terribly uncomfortable, but at least I didn’t need to work with him.

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