Page 54 of Counterfeit Connection

I’m going to have to repeat that to myself over and over again until it sticks.

Chapter 17

Kaitlyn

By the time Thursday rolls around, I still haven’t seen Griffin again because work is stacking all around me. I literally have piles of files in my office that are nearly taller than me. Why do the older generations shun transitioning to digital? It’s infuriating.

Mika has been prying me with questions about my new boyfriend, and playing along has been a nice distraction. Pretending to gush over Griffin isn’t a hard thing to sell when he makes it so easy.

I knew I wouldn’t see much of him this week, but missing him wasn’t exactly on my bingo card, so when my phone buzzes across my desk with a call from him, my smile is genuine.

“Hello?” I answer.

“There’s a reporter posted up outside of your office this afternoon. I saw him when I drove by. I just want to make you aware he’s a snake and will shove a camera in your face.” His voice is deep and the vibration gives me the shivers. “And hello to you.”

“Thanks for the heads-up. I’ll make sure I look my best when I leave.”

“You don’t suffer in that department. You look incredible, even first thing in the morning. Speaking of, I miss that view. Why haven’t I had it in days?”

“Says the man who’s been equally as busy as me.”Knock. Knock. Knock.“Hey, let me put you down for a sec. Someone is at my door.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

I place the phone on my desk, not bothering to put it on mute, and walk over to open my door. Mr. Wilder is standing on the other side. “Hello, Mr. Wilder. I’m nearly finished with the reports for the Lawson case. You’ll have them before I leave today as promised.”

“That’s not why I’m here, Kaitlyn.” The creep pushes past me too close to my personal space. “I’ve seen you in the news lately. I didn’t realize your latest crush was so serious.”

“Mr. Wilder, I don’t think my private personal life should be a topic of discussion between us.”

“I don’t agree. I think your relationship with him lands it square in my realm when it could be beneficial to my, excuse me, our business. We have tried to open a conversation with the Shaw team for a few years with little success. Landing him for us could be a very advantageous opportunity for you. I’d consider it worthy of a significant promotion for you.”

Everyone tells me they can read my thoughts by the look on my face. I can’t have Wilder reading me, telling him to fuck off immediately. I need to walk a very delicate line with him.“Griffin already has a team who handles all of his contracts stateside. I’d be happy to have a conversation with him, but ultimately, the decision is his.”

Mr. Wilder steps closer. “I think you have it well within you to nudge him in a direction, if you know what I mean.”

My insides twist and I know I’m close to slapping him in the face and walking out, but I know I can’t do that. “I will talk to him.” I take a deep breath before continuing, “I have about twenty minutes left of polishing on the reports. Let me get back to it?”

“Of course. I’ll schedule time next week to review this topic. Have a wonderful evening, Kaitlyn.”

I sit in silence until he closes the door. It takes everything I have not to throw my stapler, or whatever I can reach first, in that direction.

He implied I should fuck Griffin to secure his business. What a misogynistic, inappropriate, disgusting thing to ask of me.

Griffin!

I snatch my phone from my desk and see the call is no longer connected. I dial him back, but there is no answer. I wonder how much of this conversation he heard.

It takes a trip to the restroom to splash water on my face, a quick chat with Mika, and a bite of chocolate to get myself back into the headspace needed to continue working on my case for the day. I’m finally settling into a groove when I hear a commotion outside of my door.

I hear a familiar, deep tenor coming from the lobby. “I want to speak to Duncan Wilder, now!”

Fuck.

My knee hits the side of my desk in the haste I make to get to that voice. I’m hopping up and down with the threat of tears as I make it to my office door and open it. “Griffin?” I call down the hallway. His anger buttoned up in a three-piece suit comesmarching down toward me. The closer he gets; his look softens as he sees my pain.

“What did he do?” he whispers in a growl. “I’ll kill him.”

“What are you talking about? Please come to my office before you get me fired.”

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