Page 29 of Recklessly In Love With A Ruthless Savage

"Nova’s the only reason this building’s still running." Cortney nodded, arms crossed.

"She earned her position. Long before Mr. Sanderson showed up."

Stephanie shrugged, fake sympathy dripping from her tone.

"It’s not personal. It’s optics. If the state finds out?—"

"If the state finds out what?" I cut in.

Everyone froze.

"If the state finds out I’m married to the owner, what happens? They audit us? They ask if residents are being harmed?" I said, leaning forward.

"Well guess what, Stephanie. I’m the reason our care scores went up. I’m the reason we passed the last two surprise inspections. I’m the reason your turnover rate is down." My voice dropped into something colder, sharper. "So unless you can show proof that my marriage is hurting residents, not your feelings, you have no case."

Stephanie stiffened but didn’t back down.

"You can’t be objective anymore."

"I don't have to be," I said simply. "I have to be effective. And my numbers speak louder than rumors."

Kennedy tsked before interjecting. "All it takes is one complaint, Nova. One family member thinking you're playing favorites. One nurse saying you’re looking the other way."

I smiled sweetly. "Funny you’re so concerned, Ms. Harris. Considering you have no business addressing anything otherthan the residents you're assigned to. So if there’s nothing else, you can respectfully kick rocks, hoe. I don’t answer to either of you.”

Her mouth snapped shut. Kim smirked. Tyra leaned back like she was watching the best TV drama of the year as Stephanie straightened her blouse and gathered her papers.

"This isn’t over," she said stiffly.

"No, I think it is," I said quietly, watching her and Kennedy scuttle out of the conference room.

A chorus of laughter and loud voices erupted as soon as the door closed but I couldn’t even chalk this up as a victory. I knew that Kennedy was behind this, and Stephanie was not going to let up since she thought I had more power than she did being married to Crew. I was going to call my husband no sooner than I left this room.

“Babe, I wanted to call you so bad. That bitch and her minion were on one all morning. You need to let hubby know about this,” Tyra said quietly as she slid her chair next to mine.

I didn’t want to tell him. Not tonight. Not after the way he played dolls with Timberly after dinner. Not after the way he held me from behind, kissing my neck as we listened to Jill Scott while I washed the dinner dishes. But secrets didn’t survive in Crew’s world. And if I learned anything by being by his side these few weeks. It’s better to bring the storm than to wait for it.

After I shooed him out of the kitchen so I could finish up the dishes, I weighed my options about what I should do until I came to the conclusion that I needed to be honest with my husband. He was sitting on the couch, scrolling through work emails on his phone when I sat down next to him, tucking my feet under me.

"Crew?" I said quietly.

His head snapped up immediately, phone forgotten, all attention locked on me.

"What’s wrong, Princess?"

I swallowed hard.

"I think Stephanie and Kennedy are trying to force me out."

His eyes sharpened like a blade being pulled from a sheath.

"What happened?"

I explained everything about the anonymous email, the photos, accusations of conflict of interest, and the veil threats about the state. I kept my voice even as I told what I thought they were trying to do. Crew listened without interrupting. He didn’t ask stupid questions or try to soothe me. When I finished, he just nodded once.

His expression was so unnerving. He was so calm and cold.

"Thank you for telling me," he said, voice low and even.

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