Page 104 of Savage Suit
I lifted my brow at Quinn, wondering at her endgame in guiding Ryan to incriminate herself by revealing her genuine feelings about me.
“He has his moments,” Ryan admitted.
To me, she sounded a moment away from dozing off, meaning she supplied answers half-asleep.
“But who doesn’t? We’re all assholes at some point. Noah is no different. Even if he was the worst motherfucker alive—which he isn’t—Ingrid Warrington sensationalized her story for maximum effect. Not for fairness or accuracy. I wanted to appeal to her reasonableness. From the moment I walked onto the podium, though, I fucked up.”
“You did a wonderful job, Ryan,” Quinn said. “Once you tore up Megan Buford’s stupid words and said whatyoufelt.”
“I’ve been around vicious women before, but no one could touch her, Quinn. She criticized everything about me. I lost my mojo, and I don’t know if I’ve gotten it back. It didn’t help even the fucking line manager at lunch treated me with such disdain. Megan told him I worked with Noah, and he changed his attitude immediately. She didn’t tell him because she was on my side. She enjoyed seeing him squirm. The woman is ruthless. However…”
“However?” Quinn prompted at my nod.
“She knew what I was up against. The way she drilled me to prepare me for the press…even if she wanted to break me, not help me.”
“She did. Almost. You quit.”
“Yeah,” she said sleepily. “I’m not too sure if I shouldn’t have followed through.”
“Why? And you didn’t have to listen to Reid. Noah’s a grown-ass man. It wasn’t up to you to be the poster girl for his refreshed outlook on the workplace.”
“Reid was right. They would’ve eaten Noah alive if they announced I’d quit on my first day. No one would’ve bothered to investigate the actual reasons. That the other three women with positions commiserate to men ran me off.”
“Ah, I assume you’re including the secretary?”
“Yes. His personal assistant. Mrs. Mikes is much more subtle in her hostility toward me. Now, goodnight. My eyes keep drooping. I’m going to fall asleep on your ass at any moment.”
“Too bad. Your answers are brutally honest because you’re so fucking tired.”
“Quinn—”
“You’re much better than me,” Quinn said, ignoring Ryan. “The way you praised those three heifers.”
“I almost choked when I spoke about Megan, but every word was true. She is smart, determined, and authoritative. No matter my personal feelings, she earned her fucking place in that company. Fair is fair.”
“Fairness is overrated,” Quinn said flatly. “Don’t give a bitch her flowers after she’s worked to destroyyou. Fuck her.”
“Would you feel that way if Megan were a Matthew and treated me the same way?”
“I’m not interested in your feminism, Ryan. If Megan was a Matthew, then he’d be a bitch-ass motherfucker. Full stop. I don’t give a fuck if there’s a pussy or a prick between your legs. A spade’s a fucking spade.”
“Nicholas Keegan is a bitch-ass motherfucker,” Ryan admitted around another yawn. “And it doesn’t matter how Tina feels about Megan, she banded with her.”
“Fuck her, too,” Quinn dismissed. “Nepotism has her where she is.”
“Maybe, but I doubt it. Seriously, Noah doesn’t suffer fools. He is brilliant. He wouldn’t have anyone in his company if they didn’t know their shit.”
“You’ve gotten dick from him and he’s suddenly everything and a piece of toast.”
“It’s everything and a slice of bread,” Ryan said with exasperation.
“Toast is bread, dummy.”
“I’m falling asleep, Quinn. Goodnight.”
The sisters fell silent, but the line remained open. My mind was whirling at Ryan’s revelations. I looked at Reid, curious about what he’d said to change her mind. Her ordeal infuriated me. Heads were going to roll, despite the fucked-up timing, where I needed my focus on all things Amage. A shakeup during the company’s crucial moment, targeting the few female executives would weaken us. But they’d fucked with Ryan, and they had to pay.
“Ryan?” Quinn’s voice grabbed my attention. “Wake up!”
