Page 40 of The Ranger
Becoming a father has added another level to my desire to protect this country.I want my kids to live in a world where they’re safe and can thrive.To speak American and play baseball.
Or fucking golf.
“Relax, Cole.”Chen laughs and claps a hand on my shoulder, making me stiffen.“I have it under control.When the prototype is done, I’ll let you know.”
Interesting.
If I were one of his colleagues, his response would have pushed my buttons big time.It was such a narcissistic brush off that you’d think he was trying to take control.
Or he’s our mole.
Chen has gone to the top of my suspect list.
Putting his hands on me was a bad move on his part.I glance down at the barely five-foot-eight man and wonder just how big his balls are.
Figuratively speaking.
I don’t want to spook him until we get some solid proof, but sometimes you need to nudge them out into the open.
It’s time to let him know there’s a new alpha in town.
“Five o’clock Chen.I want it in my inbox.”I lower my brows, then walk away to the feel of his hand dropping from my shoulder.
I almost want him to attack so I can drop him on his ass and strangle him.There’s something about the guy that I really don’t like.
“Sure, sure.Whatever you want, Mr.Cole,” he calls out, but I don’t turn.“Hey, we should play baseball next weekend.You can teach me.”
Not happening.
Firstly, the guy doesn’t look like he has an athletic bone in his body.Secondly, if he’s the mole, he’ll be behind bars.
I push open the doors and step into the changing area we first came through.
“How long have you both worked together?”I ask Todd, tossing my PPE gear in the bin provided.
“A year.Maybe shorter.”Todd replies, running a hand through his brown hair, telling me he’s a little uncomfortable with the direct tone I took with Chen.
Good.
Rattling them all will show their true feelings.
We don’t have time to fuck around.
“I’m surprised he doesn’t have that data at his fingertips.”We walk down the hall.“Dr.Whitaker runs a tight ship around here from what I heard.”
“We have to.As the leaders in the field, any fuck ups hit the bottom line hard.As a publicly traded company, nothing is invisible, so yeah...”Todd’s voice trails off, and my instinct is that he’s generally someone who likes to stay out of anything messy.
We keep walking, and I let the conversation flow as if I was an employee.I need them all to trust me while I ruffle feathers.
“Have there been any fuck ups?”
Todds shoots me a curious glance, and I realize my mistake.
“Aside from the obvious,” I laugh, winging it.
“I guess it could get worse, but yeah, that public autocar mess was big enough.But the tech industry has a pretty short memory so our big wins since have fortunately gained us back the top spot.”
“Hey, Todd.”Someone high-fives him as they race past on a skateboard.
