Page 24 of The Enemy

It struck me as odd that I didn’t see anyone in their cubicles. I didn't expect a welcoming committee, but walking into chirping crickets was not on my first-day-of-work bingo card. Since I was on the correct floor, I just walked right in, trying to remember who was in charge of this department. If anyone knew what was going on and why the sudden change, it would be them.

The sound of furious tapping could be heard through the room, so I decided to follow it. When I reached the office, I halted. The office was nice, a big ornate door leading you inside to a window with views of the city. That wasn’t the problem.

“Why are you here?”

Not my finest moment, but the last person I expected to be here was Neo. He finished writing whatever message he wasworking on and then looked up. His eyes traveled up my body until they landed on my face.

My first day of work was already ruined.

I could tell just by looking at his stupid, handsome face.

“That’s no way to talk to your boss, Miss Lourdes.”

“Miss Riviere, but I guess you can’t say that without feeling like a fraud.”

I couldn’t help and taunt the asshole back.

He didn’t miss a beat.

“Oh, no, not at all. I was simply trying not to show favoritism because of your last name.”

I rolled my eyes, sat across from him, and crossed one leg over the other. Then I reached for the pretty gold plaque that adorned his desk.

“Then we should get one of these made with your actual last name, don’t you think?”

The plaque flew into the air, surprising me when my aim was good enough that it fell into the trash can.

When I let myself look back at him, I bit my lip when I saw his eyes had darkened.

“Oops, it slipped.”

His jaw ticked, and I could tell he really wanted to lash out on me, but he did the same as I did and leaned back into his chair.

“The board voiced their concerns about you starting at the company. They weren’t sure you were ready.”

My cheeks instantly flushed in anger. One thing you could say about Neo and me is that we knew how to push each other’s buttons, but it also meant we could cut the other one down and take it too far without even intending to. But when we wanted to, we both aimed to kill.

“They said you were too green—no real experience.”

“Why am I here?” I bit out.

At this, the asshole smiled.

“Well, what kind of big brother would I be if I didn’t stick up for my little sister when the men at the round table don’t think she’s capable?”

“I’m perfectly capable of working my way up just like you did and every Riviere man before me.”

He didn’t miss my subtle dig, but he did ignore it.

“That’s the problem, sis, the men have all done it…” He let his words hang in the air as he took a moment to gloat. “Let’s just say some were worried you would rise quickly in the ranks using methods unbecoming of a proper lady.”

“Not even their own wives want to fuck those crusty assholes that they have to pay for their sugar airheads. I have my own money, I have my daddy’s money. Why the fuck would I want them?”

He seemed amused by my little rant.

“Those men remember your mother. They knew how ambitious she was. They probably think you’re the same way.”

Anger spread through me at the mention of my mother. If you wanted to piss me off, one sure way to do so was to speak ill of her. I would stand many things from my family, but what I wouldn’t do—couldn’t do—was have them ruin her memory.

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