Page 58 of Stolen Christmas
Inside are Matteo and my cousin Raul. “Perfect, gentleman, thank you.”
“Cousin, it’s good to see you again.” He smiles widely.
“I felt it was my duty to come and see you after our last encounter was a bit dicey.” I didn’t realize how possessive I would be over Angel. It’s out of control the way I feel about her.
“Water under the bridge.” We hug, and then I look back at the asshole on the table.
“Why, hello, fuckhead.” Cochran turns his head slightly, eyes wide and full of fear just like I love. “It seems you and I have a problem.”
“Mr. D’Antonio, I swear I didn’t do anything wrong.”
I unsheathe a knife from the little table to the side and then tap his cheek with it. “Why are you lying? You wouldn’t be strapped to my table if you hadn’t.”
Pulling out my cell phone, I set it near him, and then I press the play button and let it begin. Every word he utters, every insult to my wife is said for everyone to hear.
“Close the door,” Cochran orders my wife.I’m already pissed at his tone.
“You know why you’re in here.”
“No, I don’t.”Her defiance isn’t only reserved for me. I smirk, silently chuckling because I love how strong she is.
“I just learned that you don’t have a boyfriend, Ms. Scott.”
“Yes, and what does that have to do with anything?”
“You’re a liar.”I stare at Cochran, wanting to break his jaw right now, but now isn’t the time.
“No, I’m just a woman who doesn’t want men hitting on her.”
“You can call it what you want, but we know it’s not your only infraction. You have a bad attitude, and you can’t come to work on time.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“You’re fired.”
“Are you serious?” Angel shouts.
“Yes.”
“I can’t believe this. You have been looking for a reason to fire me since the first day. Your excuses are weak. Six months, and you pick that I didn’t tell you the truth about my personal life, which is none of your business. A minute late isn’t a big deal when I stay late almost every single day, but have it your way. You’re a terrible boss and a pervert.”
“A pervert? You haven’t seen a pervert, little princess. I could have you on your knees right now. You have no idea what I could make you do, but I guess you’re too damn stuck up to want to keep this job. Or I could give you a second chance.”The offer is enough for me to kill him, but I take a calming breath. I have to be patient. I need to savor this kill.
“Not in your wildest dreams. If you have to resort to threatening your employees for sex, you’re probably terrible at it. I’ve already suffered enough losses.”A muffled chuckle comes from Raul and Matteo, who clears it with a cough.
I hear her chair move and then the door slam so wide open it hits the wall. Footsteps are loud and then a clatter of what I assume is her setting her phone down.
There are more rustling sounds and footsteps.“Don’t try to steal anything.”There’s a slight pause as things are being moved around.“Your things will be searched before you go.”
“You will not touch my private property. I’m leaving now, and I’m not taking a damn thing other than what I brought with me. There’s nothing I want except my paycheck. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and look for a job where my boss isn’t a complete piece of shit.”
“See, it’s not what it seems like,” Cochran tries to explain. “She’s just a former employee. Is she trying to sue?”
“This isn’t about you harassing an employee. This is about you harassing my wife.” His eyes widen comically, and yet I find nothing funny about this. His harassment forced my wife into the arms of a dangerous man. “You weren’t hired to chase trim at work and to use the office as your personal dating pool, you piece of shit. What you did to my girl is unacceptable.”
I grab his hair to the scalp and slam his head against the table just to hear him yelp. It’s only a little nibble. He hasn’t even gotten a taste of what I’m going to do to him. “Please don’t do this.” I take the blade and slice the seam of his pants, just missing his junk. I want him to fear every single moment before I kill him. Blood trickles out of the tiny cuts. If he’d been brave and didn’t flinch, he wouldn’t have bled at all, but he’s a pussy.
“Oh, so you don’t like being at the mercy of someone else, Cochran?”
