Page 83 of Due Dilligence (Takeover)
“Fuck!”
It was a cry of pure rage and sadness, and it tore into Fazil, shredding his soul down to his bones. Heknewthat rage, felt it even now, a hurt so familiar it was a second skin. To be the other. The outsider. NotAmericanenough. NotChristianenough.
Even in high school, he’d felt that weight, but Todd had shielded him from the worst.
Eli took a deep, shuddering breath, pulled out one of the conference table chairs, and slumped into it. The fury had abated, but the deep lines of anger were carved into his face and part of his motions. “It never stops.” He raised his head. “Just when I think the world might have changed...” He gave a strangled grunt. “My own fault for being so naive.”
Fazil pulled out another chair and sat down. “Racist assholes arenotyour fault.” He didn’t have anything to throw, though he wanted to.
Eli was right. This shit never did end.
A bitter chuckle. “Iknewwhat I was getting into when I went into finance. Playing into the stereotype.”
“There’s nothing stereotypical about you, Eli.”
That earned him an honest laugh and one that wasn’t as pained. “Thank you for that.” His humor drained away. “You’ve been in this spot.”
“Not since I joined Anderson.” The looks. The whispers. The jokes. “But with a name like Fazil...” He waved a hand. “Job before this one, someone left a camel figurine on my desk.” Same shit, different day.
Eli looked up at the ceiling. “Camels aren’t native to Turkey.”
“Right?” His turn to croak a laugh. “I did thank them for the pork barbecue they left. Took the can of Bud Light back and asked for a Sam Adams instead.”
That garnered a snort. “Bet that didn’t go over well.”
“Nope. Got me fired.”
Eli met his gaze. “Not a team player? Not acting professional in the office? Causing too much derision?”
He nodded. “Plus bringing booze into the workplace. Never mind that it was left at my desk.”
“Bullshit all the way down.” Eli worked his jaw. “The worst thing? This wasmild. Some of the shit people have said to me and left for me...” He shook his head. “After all, I’m Jewish, gay,anddisabled.”
Fazil’s heart lurched down to his toes.Holy shit.“They didn’t—”
The door to the conference room cracked open and Sandra slid halfway into the room. “May I come in?”
Eli sat up and nodded. “Please.” Sharp voice. This was Eli prepared for war.
Sandra’s face was pale and drawn. Obviously she knew what had gone down. She entered and let the doorclickbehind her. “Todd informed me of what happened. I must apologize to both of you for Ryan’s actions.” She spread her hands. “There’s nothing I can say to excuse his behavior.”
Eli didn’t move. “You’re not the one who should be apologizing.”
True. She didn’t look happy to be doing it, either.
When she didn’t answer, Eli continued, “What happens now?” The question was soft, as if Eli expected a certain answer.
She let out a breath. “He’s been reprimanded and sent home.”
“Permanently I hope.” Fazil crossed his arms.
Eli turned his head, and there was the tremble of rage again. Not good. Neither was his stony silence.
“Mr. Kendall’s employment, or lack thereof, is contingent on board approval,” Sandra said.
“They have toapproveto fire him? After that?” Fazil’s voice ticked up at the end.
Eli leaned back in his chair, his hands wrapped around the armrests. “Tell your board that they can sell this company at a profit, at a loss, or grind it down into dust. It’s entirely up to whether they keep Ryan.”
