Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Why? Because I removed all doubt that I was gay?” The snide words were out of my mouth before I could catch them. I never reacted well to being backed into a corner, even when I was in the wrong.
My father slammed his hand on the desk with a loud boom, and I couldn’t help but flinch. “Don’t you dare make this about people accepting your sexual orientation! You know that’s not the issue.”
I lowered my head and forced my fingers to unclench. “You’re right. I’m sorry. This is about my dating an employee.”
“Dating an employee? This isn’t just about you dating an employee! This is about you dating your goddamn assistant! Your mother told me you were dating someone new, but she neglected to mention he was your assistant. What the hell were you thinking?” he repeated at much higher volume as he rose to his feet. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? He could sue you for harassment. He could sue the company for creating an unsafe work environment. We’re in enough financial trouble as it is. If we can get through this year without layoffs, it’ll be nothing short of a miracle, but if your fling sues the company, there will be nothing left.”
“Byron isn’t some fling, and he’s not like that. He won’t sue Courtland Enterprises.”
“Well, I’m going to make damn sure of that. We’re not about to have another Thomas Cook incident.”
I mentally cringed at the mention of my bastard ex. He hadn’t gotten the chance to threaten Courtland Enterprises while I was in college, but I had a feeling he would have if I’d given him enough time and control over me. But Byron wasn’t Thomas Cook. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means I have the lawyers working on some documents to save your ass and the company’s. We’re going to offer him a few million to sign a waiver, agreeing that he won’t sue you or Courtland Enterprises. I think that should be more than enough to satisfy him.”
I staggered. Nausea roiled my stomach, and I was sure I was going to be sick on his expensive Aubusson rug.
“You’re paying Byron off?”
“Yes, it’s the safest option for everyone. And I’m taking the money out of your portion of your inheritance.”
“Byron isn’t like that.”
“Everyone is like that,” my father grumbled.
This was spiraling out of control. I needed to take a step back, breathe, and de-escalate this before anything truly unfixable could happen.
“Dad, please,” I started again, speaking more slowly and with purpose, “I need you to calm down. You know Byron. He loves Courtland Enterprises, and he values all the people who work here. He doesn’t want to hurt anyone. We don’t need to go to extremes. This was all my fault. I’m the one who hit on him. I’m the one who convinced him to date me. Why don’t you just punish me? Suspend me. Dock my pay for the year. Fuck, fire me! We can move Byron to be Declan’s assistant. He always needs someone, and Byron would be a great fit for Dec.”
“Have you lost your mind? This isn’t something that can be swept under the rug. You broke the rules. If we give you and Byron a slap on the wrist, how are any of your employees going to feel safe working here? How are they ever going to respect you as their leader?” My dad shook his head, looking more exhausted and disgusted than I’d ever seen him.
Stone after stone sank in my stomach as the sick feeling inside of me increased. This wasn’t the first time I’d disappointed my dad with my behavior, but this felt a hundred times worse. As if it were something I couldn’t come back from.
“The board has been calling for your resignation, but I’ve talked them down from it. You’ll take a brief leave of absence after you make a public apology, admitting your wrongdoing to the company and reasserting the importance of company policy to create a safe environment for everyone.”
I nodded. It was only fair. My recklessness shouldn’t hurt everyone else who depended on Courtland Enterprises for a paycheck. “What about Byron?”
“He’s out.”
My head snapped up and my heart stopped dead in my chest. For a second, I couldn’t even breathe or form a sentence. “What?” I rasped, still trying to get my body functioning.
“He’s gone. Fired. We let him go.”
“You can’t do that. This isn’t his fault,” I argued. It felt like the world was melting around me. My feet were sinking into the floor like I was stuck in a stinking bog that was sucking away all my strength. Every time I attempted to fight it, the pull on me grew stronger.
“He made the choice to date you, knowing the rules. The employee policy clearly laid out the consequences, and he agreed to it the day he took the job. We’re bending the rules enough for you. He has to go.”