Page 52 of Bossy Trouble

When I gave Georgia this task today, I half expected her to balk.

Boris was a very imposing man, even under the best of circumstances. He was also wildly arrogant. The truth was the man had an overblown sense of his importance, and I simply maintained our relationship because he provided the most affordable prices for the presumed quality of the goods. So occasionally, I let him boast and throw his weight around because I knew it was good for his morale.

I also knew the man was all bluster and no bite, but Georgia didn’t know that, having only met him once. The meeting hadn’t been pleasant, so when I told her what her task would be for the day, I expected her to show apprehension. But instead, she nodded and said, “So, what do I need to know?”

She was already somewhat familiar with the case, but I gave her more pertinent information on the ride here. And then, when we walked in here, and after all the greetings and everything, she delivered the bad news.

I didn’t think she would be so direct with it, nor did I expect her to hold up with such aplomb under Boris’ bluster. While the man raged and swore and threatened, she stood her ground.

“What the hell is the meaning of this, Donovan?” Boris turned to me with rage in his eyes. “If this is some kind of joke, it’s a bad one.”

I shrugged, remaining seated and observing the action. “You’d have to ask my assistant that one, but I gotta tell you, she doesn’t have much of a sense of humor.”

Georgia shot me a sardonic look before turning back to Boris. “It’s not a joke.”

“It better be.” Boris’ face turned even darker. “Because I have a contract that states that neither of us is allowed to back off this agreement until we mutually agree. And if you back out, I will sue the hell out of you for breach of contract.”

“You should have read the blueprint better, Boris,” Georgia said. “Because that is not at all what the contract says.” She very efficiently whipped out her binder, pulling out a piece of paper with a pink sticky note on it and handing it over to Boris.

“If you read the fine print, it clearly states that if we find anything that does not agree with the company’s values, we are allowed to dissolve the contract, no agreement needed. Additionally, we’re allowed to completely dissolve the contract with no notice if the other party becomes embroiled in a criminal investigation which could significantly affect the position of Dresden Inc.”

Boris read the contract, confused, like he was seeing it for the first time. He probably was. The man never reviewed his contracts personally, always relying on a team of lawyers that he probably didn’t pay enough for the work they did. Unfortunately for him, my lawyers were better.

But Boris’ true problem was he’d mistakenly assumed that because I let him get away with so much, we were friends. That I needed him far more than I did.

And that was his downfall.

He looked up at me with betrayal etched deep on his face. “You tricked me.”

I shrugged, letting him come to that conclusion. I couldn’t be faulted for the man’s stupidity.

“There isn’t a criminal investigation yet,” Boris snarled. “You don’t have any right to do this.”

“There will be,” Georgia said. “If you refuse to depart from us amicably, we have no problems letting the police know about our findings.”

His face turned a violent shade of red. “You bitch.”

“Language,” I commented mildly, even though the phrase sent anger spiraling through me. Not because of the vulgarity but because of who it was directed at.

I gave him a warning glare when his eyes turned to me, but Boris wasn’t wise enough to listen. And, like all good bullies, he returned his anger to the wrong person.

“Listen, little girl. I don’t know who you think you are, but you shouldn’t be talking to me in that tone.”

“I apologize,” Georgia said, even though she sounded anything but apologetic. “Exactly what tone would you like for me to tell you that you’re a slimy bastard?”

My eyebrows shot straight into my hairline. I wasn’t expecting that.

“What else do you want me to say?” she continued with a boldness I couldn’t believe I was witnessing. “It’s already bad enough that I have to talk to you at all, someone who doesn’t see any problem exploiting the health of children in third-world countries to create his little wires rather than paying a fair wage to the workers here. I don’t know which is worse, the fact that you were cheap or the fact that you’re stupid enough to think you can get away with this.” She composed herself once more. “So, I’m sorry, Mr. Boris, but this is the best tone I can manage, and it is only as a result of considerable restraint. And if you don’t like it, well, then you can fuck off.”

There was a beat of silence after, where I nearly clapped.

Boris blinked a few times. He didn’t say anything. We seemed to have stunned him into silence.

“Which will it be then? An amicable parting, or will I have to force you off? We’ll await your response by the end of the day.” And with that, Georgia turned to me. “I think we’re done here. Unless you have anything to add?”

I shook my head. “Nope.” I was only here for backup. In case Boris tried something stupid with her, then I would end him. But, as it turned out, she didn’t need any backup after all.

She nodded crisply. “Then let’s go.”

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