Page 63 of Stick to the Plan
“I’d like complete autonomy in how I run my team. Work schedules, assignments, bonus structure.”
He turns to Miranda, who dips her chin before returning to her notes. Stefan turns back to me, “as long as it complies with labor laws, yes. Anything else?”
I swallow. This is the big one. Acting more confident than I feel, I meet Stefan’s gaze. “I want those that were found responsible for the leak terminated and evidence turned over to the authorities.”
Stefan smiles and pride shines in his eyes. “Already done. Thanks to the evidence provided by your team, those three are going away for a long time. Do we have a deal?” He reaches a hand across the table.
I give his hand a single pump. “We do.”
“Fantastic. You can tell Miranda who you would like on your team and a list of any roles you need to hire for.”
“Thank you, Stefan, for this opportunity.”
“You earned it.” With a proud smile and nod, he leaves me in the conference room with the intimidating Miranda Barker.
A half hour later, I’ve signed employment contracts and discussed my dream team. A stack of resumes will be on my desk tomorrow for the remaining roles. We are about to discuss office arrangements when Miranda’s cell phone vibrates. She clicks onto a text and sighs, before putting the phone back down with a clatter on thesurface.
“I’m so sorry, I need to see to an urgent matter. As you are again an employee, you no longer need an escort. I trust you can see yourself out?” At my nod, she stands and heads for the door, pausing as she reaches me. “He’s right, Brianna, you earned this. I look forward to seeing what you do here.”
Before I can think of a response, she is already out the door with her cell to her ear. In a daze, I wander back towards the elevators.
At reception, I stop short. Richard and Rachel are standing together in a crowd of people. Rachel’s arms are behind her back. Her normally perfect hair sticks to her sweaty face and her blouse is half untucked. Richard’s face is red and his hair stands up in places. Confused, I look closer at the crowd standing around them. The men and women in suits sport FBI badges.
As an agent pulls Rachel into the elevator, her eyes land on me. Her face twists into a hateful sneer and her cheeks flame. “You!”
The elevator doors close before she can screech another word.
Chapter forty-two
Boss Lady
Brianna
The drive to Pop is a complete blur. I blindly stumble into the bar area, not quite believing the past few hours really happened.
“Finally! Where the hell have you been?” Nic turns towards me from where she and Anna sit at the bar, chatting with Asher. She already has a martini in her hand.
My red heels clack against the flooring as I approach, saying nothing. Pop is busy tonight, and the sounds all jumble together in my head.
“You ok, suga’? You look like you saw a ghost” Anna tilts her head in concern.
I look at Asher. “Give me a shot of something.” Without breaking eye contact, he fills a shot glass from a nearby bottle and pushes it across the bar-top. I shoot the liquor back, letting the burn clear my mind.
“Girl, what happened? Are they trying to hold you in breach of contract or something? I thought it was just an exit interview.” Martini forgotten, Nic leans towards me as I sit on the stool next to her.
“They offered me a promotion.” I push the empty shot glass away. Magically, a glass of amber liquid with black cherries takes its place. Asher truly is an amazing bartender.
“Really? The director job you’ve been wanting?” Anna sounds confused, like she doesn’t know if she should be happy or not.
“No, Chief Product Officer, reporting directly to the CEO.” I gulp down half my drink and turn to my friends with wide eyes. “They tripled my salary.”
“Seriously? Are they trying to buy your silence on Dick?” Nic sounds suspicious.
“No. Dick and Rachel were being hauled off by the FBI when I left.” Rachel’s angry face flashes in my mind and I throw back the rest of the drink.
Nic’s mouth is hanging open. “Holy shit! That’s insane. Did you take it?”
“Yea, I start tomorrow. I’m sorry Anna.” I turn to her.
