Page 124 of Inflame

“Everything okay?”

I nod, my attention drawn to my device, as I stare at Ethan’s message.

Ethan: You owe me a few grand for my suit you ruined.

What a fucking prick! Isn’t he happy with his precious ex-wife? Engaged, no less. He needs to find another hobby and stop this harassment. Besides, the man apparently has a boatload of money he kept from me the entire time we were dating. He can go buy himself another suit and leave me the hell alone.

“Okay, Claire. Obviously something is wrong.”

Pulling my attention away from my phone, I put on my brave face—the one that I use as my armor. I got myself involved with Ethan in the first place, and it is my job to set him straight on my boundaries, despite being broken up. I don’t need to drag Angie into this drama. If it wasn’t for her security detail, she may have hit him right across the face.

“Everything is fine. Well, at least it will be.”

35

NIC

I have no idea how I am expected to get any work done when my clothes still smell like a vanilla cupcake and Claire’s pussy. Despite just going at it with her several hours ago, my cock is still semi-hard and wanting more. That is what she does to me. She puts me in a constant state of craving. It’s like I am so thirsty and nothing I can drink will quench my thirst.

I watch the two dots on my tracker app as Angie and Claire make their way toward HH. I could have flattened Kevin and Leo when they gave Claire a hard time, but basically allowed a complete stranger to get up to Graham's office floor without being stopped. It is so utterly backward to what I would want that I can’t help but think I was being pranked. Granted, I set the staff up for failure as a test, but here at HH we have a lot invested and value all things security. The men are new here, which makes them even more expendable.

I’ve been having my eyes in HH’s doings for months prior to joining the staff as the official head. Hacking and exploiting weaknesses is a bit of a hobby of mine. Of course, I had Graham’s best interests in mind. Despite him having training in cybersecurity, my schooling was far more extensive. Plus, my brother has had a very rough year and lost a bit of his focus. Just like in our wrestling days, we thrive on competition but work best as a duo on the same team.

I log out of my computer and set an alarm to send a notification to my phone if anyone tries to log on while I am gone. I lock my office door and set the passcode. No one needs to be in my space—not even the cleaners—especially while I’m gone. I walk down the hallway and look at the desk I set up for my future personal assistant. I will be accepting applications this week for the position.

It’s not like I really need someone to make me coffee or photocopy some papers. However, I need the position filled to manage employees and field phone calls while I handle more pressing matters. Plus, I am looking for someone with experience as a guard, so I can multipurpose her if I need someone to patrol female-only areas during work hours. Sure, I’ll allow her title to be a PA, but I’ll pay her to be more.

Graham’s previous temporary heads of security were moved into other positions, obviously as a demotion. The only reason I plan on keeping Dan King on the team is to see if he will retaliate from being butt sore over the minor pay cut and the loss of a prestigious title. He knows that his new position is again temporary and has already visited me once to try to get that to become more permanent. I can’t fault the man for taking the initiative. The recent breaches alone should have given him a clue that he was heading toward a demotion. He should be glad that he even has a job. One negative recommendation from Graham will blacklist him from any security job in the entire state of Oregon. Hell, maybe the entire West Coast. I hope he treads carefully knowing his days are numbered.

Dan’s coworker, Eugene, who was trying to secure the head position as well, didn’t make it on the list of employees sticking around. After reviewing his history and seeing that most incidents happened on his watch, it was an easy decision to let him go. I broke the news to him an hour ago and promised that his résumé would not be tarnished if he chose to resign on his own free will. A severance package will still be offered and be hefty enough to give him the time needed to secure another position elsewhere.

I ride the elevator down to the lobby and watch as Angie and Claire make their way inside from the lunch outing. I stand on the sidelines and watch as my employees greet them with a smile. Everyone knows that Angela McFee is Graham’s woman and not to mess around with her in any way—if they value their life and career. However, Claire Nettles is not given that type of special treatment around here—yet. There was never really a need to brief workers until now. If Claire is going to be frequenting the building, then my staff needs to be aware that she is not someone to accost or harass. I have run every background check there is on her. I know she is safe. Thus, she deserves the same special privileges as Angie gets while here in the building.

I watch Claire’s retreating form, enjoying the bounce her ass cheeks do when she is wearing her pencil stick heels. Problem is, one of the dumbass guards also is enjoying the same view. Fuck. I feel murderous inside as I watch Kevin whisper something to his coworker Leo and nod in her direction. I want to gouge their eyes out for looking at her like that. This is strike two for these asshats. The irony is not lost on me that I was just looking at Claire the same way. I know my carnal thoughts are not censored in my head, either. I have a very vivid imagination and a detailed list of fantasies I want to role-play out with her. However, I don’t need my workers to be admiring anyone on the job, let alone making it into a spectator sport right in front of my face.

When the girls disappear into the elevator, I come out of the shadows and give a stern look to the two guards who look petrified at the sight of me. Good. Be scared.

Your days are numbered.Start polishing up your résumés.

I’m already getting texts from Graham that the word around here is that I am a relentless hard-ass who has an axe to grind. It’s accurate. Some have even taken it upon themselves to visit his office to inquire about the change in power, which he has been quick to confirm that I am in charge of all things security. Maybe if everyone knows that I don’t piss around, they will actually keep this place from being infiltrated.

My phone vibrates with an incoming call and when I see it’s Tyler, I answer immediately. “It’s Hoffman.”

“Take a deep breath.”

“What? Why?”

“It’ll calm you down.”

I swear he enjoys the shit he pulls with me. “Dammit, Tyler. Just tell me.”

“Everything ended well. However, Maxwell confronted Angela McFee and your boo at Toss Up Café.”

“My wh—” I stop midsyllable. “Never mind.” Him and his crazy jargon. Some days I think I’ll need a translator just to understand Tyler’s point. “That fucker just doesn’t learn, does he?”

“I’m kind of hoping you ask me to get frisky.”

I shake my head at him, although he’s not here to see. “Is that synonymous with violent?”

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