Page 12 of Until It Was Real

“Hundreds? Try thousands.” Zane and Miles high-five.

I frown. “You never learn your lesson.”

“I wasn’t the one who needed to learn a lesson,” Miles says.

“Exactly,” Zane agrees. “The principal deserved it. She should have never given us detention.”

“She gave you detention for getting into a fight,” I remind them.

Miles scowls. “Those assholes were bullying a girl.”

“At least I’m not the only one who Rhett tries to control,” Dakota mutters.

“I’m not trying to control you.”

“You’re not? Oh, right.” She snaps her fingers. “You’re trying to make me look bad in front of my boss and have me fired.”

Eli clears his throat. “No one is getting fired.”

“Thank you, Mr. Raider.”

“I told you to call me Eli.”

“Thank you, Eli.” Dakota smiles at him, and I bite back a growl. She shouldn’t be smiling and flirting with her boss. It’s unprofessional. This is why she shouldn’t have been hired in the first place.

Eli claps his hands. “Now, everyone, get back to work.”

“Eli,” I begin but he holds up a hand.

“No. I’m not discussing firing my PA with you any further.”

“But—”

“This is none of your business. My PA works for me and me alone. If you have a problem with her in the future – a real problem related to her work and not some bullshit you made up because she doesn’t put up with your crap – come to me and we’ll discuss it.”

“Whatever,” I grumble before escaping the room.

I slam my office door shut behind me before stomping to my chair and collapsing in it. Eli is going to regret his decision to keep Dakota as his PA. I don’t know what’s going on with her yet, but there’s definitely something going on.

She drives a junkie car despite the generous salary I know Eli pays her and she’s tired all the time. She’s up to something, and I’m going to figure it out.

Once I reveal her secret, Eli won’t hesitate to fire her.

Satisfaction fills me. Perfect plan.

Chapter 5

“Is that an otter in the bakery?” ~ Dakota

Dakota

Iopen my suite door and check both ways for Sadie. Once I confirm the coast is clear, I shut my door and make my way toward Main Street.

Don’t get me wrong. I like Sadie. She’s funny and tells the best stories. She’s also bored out of her mind working at the front desk. The last time I happened past her on my way to the laundry room for clean sheets, she regaled me with a story about her brothers letting the sheep escape and causing chaos all over the island for over an hour.

I don’t need another story I can’t understand. What I need is some time away from the hotel. Away from work.

I haven’t even had a chance to check out the town of Smuggler’s Rest yet. I’ve been either working one of my two jobs or sleeping.

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