Page 13 of The Re-Proposal

Entirely consuming.

And inappropriate for the setting.

What the hell is the matter with me? I don’t get distracted this easily.

I’m here to do a job.

Not to pine after the girl that got away.

Or more accurately, the girl I threw away.

The crowd goes deathly quiet when I glance to the left and right. Finally staring straight ahead, I snarl, “Anyone not seated at their desks in five seconds can hand in their official resignation.”

For a moment, no one moves.

There’s a hint of disbelief.

Can he do that? Will he do that?

The answer is yes.

With pleasure.

“One,” I growl, hardening my expression. “Two…”

I stand still, a pillar in the roaring stampede that follows. Employees skitter back to their desks and charge to the elevator in droves. The slam of feet against the floor is deafening.

In three seconds flat, the hallway is clear.

“Was that necessary?” Vargas careens into my line of sight, a hint of a scolding in his voice. He’s a tall, thin man with a meticulously groomed mustache and square glasses.

I stride through the now-empty hallway. Vargas is hot on my heels. “You made a bad impression.”

“I didn’t realize I was here to make a good impression,” I tell him.

He humphs.

“Did you gather the HODs?”

“They were ready before we arrived. Speaking of, why did you disappear earlier?”

“Got lost,” I grumble.

“Humph,” Vargas says again.

He knows I’m full of crap.

I ran from my protection team for the sake of my sanity. After two months with bodyguards, I’m still not used to being shadowed. I get why it’s necessary and I get that Clay wants to look out for me. Still, it’s a hassle.

“At least I know you won’t get attacked today,” Vargas mumbles, glancing at Doberman and his team.

“You’re referring to what happened at Wui Limited?” I turn the corner, noticing the conference room at the end of the hall.

“And Infinite Slides. And Regitech. And…”

I lift a hand. “I get the point.”

It’s easier for people to blame me for their poor choices than accept responsibility. And Vargas is tired of dragging angry, disgruntled, newly-fired employees off me.

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