Page 294 of Sins & Secrets

I swallow so hard, it’s audible and still, I’m given nothing.

“Adrian.” I whisper his name, on the verge of breaking. Anger simmers but also a hurt I can’t describe.

“We’re on the clock, Suzette,” he warns, the first sign of compassion noted in my name on his lips.

“If you’re going to lay them off,” I say and swallow, “I need to be able to tell them. I need to know what’s going on.”

“That’s what you came here for? To figure out who’s getting fired next?” His tone is unimpressed.

“I want you to keep in mind that we’re a team. We work efficiently and our plan is solid; our performance speaks for itself.”

He eyes me from across his desk, lips pursed. “You’ll have an answer when the team is ready.”

Frustrated, I look him in the eye. “You could at least say you’ll consider it. You can at least tell me you’ll let me know if anyone is in danger.”

“I won’t. It doesn’t matter, Suzette. The team is running the numbers. The numbers are what guide my decision, not emotions. Not a plan, but what has been done and what is comparable. You’re aware you have a list of clients, but they aren’t the only clients and even that list is sellable.”

Heat spreads over the back of my neck. I’m burning with frustration and anger, tears stinging the corners of my eyes. “You’re heartless. You know what this means.”

“And you know I bought this company for profit, and it’s been bleeding money for far too long.”

I’m left speechless, staring at him with nothing but resentment.

He won’t give in, and somehow it shocks me. I should have known this about Adrian Bradford. He takes what he wants and does what he wants.

I knew that all too well when he fucked me on this desk the very first day we met. My heart hurts and I put my hand up to cover it, but it’s too late. The damage is already done. “I can’t believe you won’t even give me the respect of letting me know if my team is at risk of losing their livelihoods. If you’re just going to sell off the list, you could tell me that. I’m not fucking stupid. You would know if you already had a buyer.”

Adrian folds his arms over his chest. “I listen because it means something to you. Do you think I would have let anyone else barge in here without a meeting?”

That same sickness from earlier stirs and I say nothing, knowing he’s the one who’s caused it.

“There needs to be a … separation for us.”

“How the hell am I supposed to separate this?” is all I can respond, my voice shaky.

“I want you to be happy,” Adrian says simply, unfolding his arms and pushing the chair out from his desk slightly. “I want you to know I care for you.”

There’s a pause, and my frustration grows again. He cares for me? But can’t answer a simple question? “They need to know as soon as possible so they can prepare,” I press further and Adrian doesn’t budge, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“Would you really sleep with me one night and then fire me in the morning?” I question with my voice tight.

“Suzette,” he says, his voice carrying a note of warning. He doesn’t say no.

Betrayal seems to push out every other feeling I have, making my face hot and my chest hurt. I know a losing argument when I see one and I know Adrian won’t be convinced right now, but I can’t help myself. “The company?—”

“It’s after six, Suzette,” he replies, cutting me off. “You’ll have your answer when the team has consolidated numbers and risks.”

“Oh,” I say with a bitter tone. “You can’t tell me now because you’re off the clock. Because it’s six, so now I’m just a lowly fuck toy for you to come in?” Even as the words escape my mouth, I know they cross the line.

“You know that’s not why.” His statement is a string of carefully restrained anger, his grip tightening on the armrests,turning his knuckles white. Good. I hope he’s pissed off. I hope he’s upset like I am.

“I would never speak to you like that,” he continues. “I would never treat you like you didn’t matter. You know that,” he tells me, his tone softening, his pale blue gaze pinning me. “And I don’t like you talking about yourself like that.”

“How am I supposed to?—”

“You told me you could separate the two—” I cut him off before he can finish.

“I’m trying to compartmentalize,” I argue back. He’s gripping the desk, obviously upset now. “I’m sorry. I need a moment and I think—” Just as I turn my back to him, ready to get the hell out of here so I can lose it alone in a bathroom stall, he speaks up.

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