Page 81 of A Hard Sell

“Listento your work?” Luka spat. “Doyour work, you mean. Maybe you didn’t think this through. If I get fired, who will be there to bail you out when you’ve gotnothing?”

“Well, you’ll never know because your ass won’t be here anymore.”

Luka wanted to throw a chair. He sat there, stewing over Morgan’s words instead. Then it dawned on him. “This is all because you’re jealous of Thomas.”

Morgan rolled his eyes. “You wish.” It was not convincing.

“Youare.You’re jealous. If you can’t have me, no one can.”

Morgan crossed his arms and turned his head to glare at the wall on the other side.

“Morgan…think back to our relationship. You didn’t care about me, not really. You cared abouthavingme.”

Morgan had nothing to say.

“You didn’t even want to tell anyone we were together! Why? Why keep it a secret?” The question hung in the air. Luka sighed and shifted in his chair, giving up on getting an answer.

But after a long pause, Morgan spoke, low and hurried. “Because I knew you’d break up with me eventually, then everyone would know.”

Luka blinked. “What?”

“It would be too embarrassing.” He picked at a cuticle.

Luka reeled. “I don’t…”

“And I did care about you.” He said it so quietly Luka could barely hear.

Something softened in Luka for a moment, then he scoffed. “Yeah, cared so much you’re about to get me fired.”

Morgan pursed his lips and shook his head, still looking away.

They fell into silence as the minutes dragged by. The door opened and Thomas waved them back in.

They sat down again and faced Ilona. Her face showed nothing. Luka snuck a quick glance at Thomas. He didn’t look as confident as he had before. Morgan was staring at his feet.

“Well,” Ilona began. “As to your relationship, Luka did disclose it to a superior. As you did, Morgan…eventually. It seems the relationship was short-lived, never too serious and didn’t cause any conflict at the time you were involved.”

Luka’s leg jittered. He forced himself to keep breathing.

“However,” she continued, “the allegation that Morgan blackmailed Luka into doing his work is much more concerning. What I would like from you, Luka, is a timeline of events—when Morgan approached you for help, when he blackmailed you, what you worked on—and any proof you might have…emails, texts, witnesses. And then Morgan will have a chance to reply and offer his own proof.”

He nodded dumbly. He was so fucking angry at Morgan. And himself.

“Can we meet back here tomorrow at ten o’clock? Is that enough time?” Ilona asked.

They both mumbled their agreement, then Luka sprang out of his chair. He couldn’t stand being in the same room as Morgan for another moment. He strode down the hallway, Thomas close behind.

“I’m sorry, Luka. It’s going to be fine,” Thomas said once they were back in their office.

“Is it?”

“Ilona wants to believe you, but she can’t just take your word over his. She’s confident you’ll be able to prove it.”

Luka met Thomas’ golden eyes. “You believe me.” He didn’t phrase it as a question.

“Of course I do.”

Luka stared at him, emotion welling up in his chest.

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