Taking Control

by Danielle Dickson

  He hangs his head in his hands, running his fingers through his hair before looking up at me. “For what it’s worth he isn’t speaking to me either.” He’s silent a beat. “Anyway…” He gets up and sits in his seat. “You’re doing our advertisements for the new gym?”

  A genuine smile takes over my face as I try to ignore the annoyed feeling bubbling up inside me. “Trust me, I’m as surprised as you are.”

  “I trust you’re the best person for the job. Zander picked you for a reason, and he never makes a decision he doesn’t believe in.”

  The intense look he’s giving me makes me look down at my laptop as I open Word and Photoshop. “Why the new advertisements?”

  “New gym, new ads.” He shrugs as if that explains everything but must see my confused expression because he sighs. “This doesn’t go outside this room, but… this gym is different. It’s in a pretty run-down area and we can’t market it the same way as everywhere else. Our target market isn’t fitness models or yoga moms, regular run-of-the-mill city people. They’re people who need something to focus on other than the shit going on in their lives.”

  I make some notes. “And the main goal?”

  “Getting kids off the streets.”

  My heart pangs. “In what way?”

  He leans forward, elbows rested on his knees. “Have you ever been to one of our gyms?” I blush and he takes that as his answer. “Well, we have the regular gym equipment: treadmills, bikes, weights, and all that good stuff, but we also cater to ring sports and self-defense classes.”

  “Ring sports?” My fingers can’t fly fast enough across the keyboard with ideas.

  “Boxing, MMA, kickboxing… you name it, we can cater for it. And this is our main focus at the new gym.”

  I nod in understanding, Zander mentioned mixed martial arts on one of our dates. “Something to keep them focussed on, something with rules and control?” That last word sends a lightbulb going off in my head. Control—Zander.

  “Exactly. These kids have nothing. Most of them have grown up in broken homes around drugs and fighting, so why not channel all that angst into doing something for themselves and give them a way to escape?”

  A lump in my throat starts to form. “That’s an incredible thing to do.”

  His brow furrows. “I wish I could take the credit, but it’s Zander spearheading the whole campaign. Which reminds me, we need a catchy name for the center we’re going to have inside the gym.”

  I’m stuck on the first bit of information he gave me while typing out the second:

  Catchy name for a kids’ center? Controlled kicks? Control... something...

  “Got it. If you come up with a name before me, let me know.”

  He smiles. “I have every faith in you, I can already see the determination in you to get these kids into the center.”

  Nodding, I think about the other reason I want to nail this: Zander. There’s so many layers to him, he’s like a gift that’s been wrapped too many times. I want to know more and unwrap every single layer, especially after learning what he’s doing for those kids.

  After giving me some more of the general information they want on the advertisements, I finally close my laptop, designs and ideas invading my headspace.

  “I have to give a presentation to my boss tomorrow morning so I’ll be working on this as soon as I get back to work. I can have some mockups sent over if he approves.”

  “If he approves? Shouldn’t it be the clients that okay the designs?”

  I place my laptop into its case, zipping it up. “Yeah, but I’m not a designer.” His brow furrows. “I mean, I am by trade, but not for the company. I’m an assistant but Zander insisted on working with me so my boss begrudgingly let me.” I stand, shouldering my laptop case and picking up my purse at the same time my gaze locks with his wall clock. “I really have to get going to start working on these designs. Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

  He nods, standing up and walking me over to the door. “My pleasure, but… can I ask you a question?”

  My gaze darts over his shoulder before looking back into his baby blues. “Sure.”

  “Why didn’t you call Zander?”

  I stare into his eyes for a moment, feeling the tension rolling off him as his eyes narrow in question. “I did, he wasn’t here. Not sure he’d want to see me anyway.”

  He looks sad but quickly recovers. “That explains it then.”

  I clear my throat. “I’m glad it was you.” His face looks hopeful and I wish I hadn’t said it like that. “I mean… I’m glad I got to talk to you and you’re happy for me to go ahead and still do the designs.”

  “Why wouldn’t you still be doing them?”

  “I figured with Zander not calling me that you’d have found someone new by now. It’s a relief to know you haven’t.”

  A forced smile graces his lips. “That isn’t the type of person Zander is. I’m sure within time he would’ve called you.”

  I shrug. “Maybe.”

  I can see he’s finished with this conversation, so I offer a small smile when I open the door. “Thanks again for meeting with me today. I’d really like us to all be civil, especially if we’re working together for the foreseeable.”

  “Of course.” He nods once and I make it three paces away before, “Taylor,” sounds deeply from his chest. I turn toward him and he sighs. “I’ve gotta know, do you still want to be with Zander?”

  My gaze wanders over to the photo of him and Zander together. I scan Zander’s face and a warm feeling starts to grow inside me. Turning to face him again, I answer him honestly. “I don’t see anyone else but him.”

  He nods resolutely, a sad look in his eyes as his gaze meets mine. “Just be careful with him.”

  “I won’t let him hurt me.”

  He snorts. “That’s not what I meant. If you’re sure you want to be with him, then you have to take him as he is.” His expression turns pained. “Don’t hurt him.”

  Hurt him? “I would never.”

  He nods. “Good. Now go work your magic on our advertisements and show your boss what you can do.”

  He doesn’t give me a chance to reply as he shuts his door and I turn around, ready to make my way back to work feeling so much more optimistic than I did walking in here.

  It only takes me twenty minutes until I’m sitting at my desk again, my laptop open and my graphics tablet out to the side of it, sketching a rough outline of a person.

  “Get what you need?” my boss asks, making me jump.

  “Yes. I’ve got some amazing ideas about—”

  “Excellent. Show me.”

  I try to keep my face neutral. “Right now?”

  “Right now, Miss Moore.”

  He turns and walks back into his office and the panic in me rises as I turn to pick up my laptop.

  I walk into his office and shut the door, placing my laptop down on his desk and taking a step back. “I don’t have many visuals to show you but I can go through every one of my notes and ideas with you.”

  When I turn around, he’s so close to me I jump. “How stupid do you think I am?”

  “I’m sorry?”

  He sneers at me and starts backing me up against the door, causing me to nearly stumble but I right myself. “Do you think I wouldn’t notice his attraction to you or the way you practically threw yourself at him to take this job?”

  I search for the handle but he places his hand on the door so I can’t open it. “I—”

  “Or think I wouldn’t recognize him from the New Year’s party.” My eyes widen. Oh, shit. “That’s right.” He nods, his sneer turning into a smirk that says, “gotcha.” “I knew something weird was going on when you left today, so I looked up your friend. You orchestrated this to make me look like a fool. You were conspiring against me this whole time, weren’t you?”

  He moves closer to me, his face barely an inch away from mine as I squeak out, “No, I had no idea he was a client.” I manage to sl
ip out from underneath him, darting toward his desk again to try and get him away from the door. “Of course I recognized him at the meeting, but he hasn’t mentioned anything about that night, I promise.”

  He stalks toward me and I move the wrong way, backing myself up against his desk. Fuck. He grasps one of my wrists in his hands, squeezing before pulling me into him. “My brother is already trying to take my place as CEO.” His hand tightens, causing me to wince. “I will not have a little slut like you ruin the reputation of this company or myself.”

  My breaths come in gasps. “I won’t say anything,” I rush out. “Just let me do the work for Mr. Reed and then I’ll go back to being your assistant. No harm done.” I try to smile but it comes out shaky.

  He doesn’t move or say anything. My pulse quickens, my heart beating out of my chest at his threatening behavior.

  My thoughts are all over the place, trying to come up with a plan to get out of this situation. So much so that I don’t hear the knock on the door until it swings open, slamming off the wall with the force.

  My head snaps toward the noise, my eyes meeting Zander’s, his glare furious.

  “Get your fucking hands off her.”

  I spot Steph beside him, her mouth opening and closing as he stalks past her. My boss releases my wrist and chuckles nervously. “Mr. Reed, what a pleasant—”

  My other hand rubs against my wrist, red marks already showing up that are sure to bruise.

  “I’ll give you three seconds to shut the fuck up.” He turns to face me, his gaze batting down to where I’m trying to relieve the ache, his eyes burning with fire before he looks at Steph. “Get out.”

  Steph scuttles out of the room into a few bystanders watching with wide eyes, but I don’t budge, trying to put on a brave face in front of him. “No. This isn’t your problem.”

  There’s a beat of silence, the atmosphere in the room becoming so icy I shiver. “Taylor.” He looks like he’s going to rip my boss apart but he’s equally pleading with me. “I’m just going to talk to him. As a client of this company, I’m well within my rights to express my concerns about how he treats his staff.”

  My boss visibly gulps. “We were just talking.” With one glance from Zander, his mouth turns into a snarl as he looks over at me.

  “I’m not going anywhere.” I walk past him and shut the door on the small crowd that’s started to gather and fold my arms over my chest.

  He watches me, the emotions in his eyes going from frustrated to resolute. “Fine,” he grinds out, pointing at my boss. “You, sit.”

  He does what he’s told and Zander sits opposite him, his hands clenching and unclenching before he speaks again. “Here’s what’s going to happen.” His chest expands on a breath. “You’re going to march down to HR and your brother and tell them you’re resigning—”

  “The hell I am!” my boss shouts.

  “Because you don’t think you’re the right fit for this company,” Zander talks over him in a louder tone.

  “I am the CEO, you can’t walk in here and tell me what to do.”

  Zander smirks. “You’re wrong. Because if you don’t I’m going to raise hell on you; I fucking promise you that. I’ll tear your reputation to shreds and make damn sure everyone knows what a piece of shit you are.”

  I stare wide-eyed, knowing this isn’t going to go down well. My boss fought for his place in the company, even though he didn’t deserve it one bit.

  My boss stands up, his nostrils flaring and face reddening. His shoulders lift to his ears before he lets out a yell, swiping his arm across the desk in one smooth motion. The crash of his desktop sounds like an alarm in a silent room.

  “You!” He points at me, taking a step before Zander stands up, his height a threat in itself.

  He moves in front of me, blocking his path. “You even look at her again and I’ll not hesitate to end you and your company.”

  My mind is frazzled, my gaze batting between the two men as I wonder what the hell happened just now.

  My boss storms past me, shouting, “You won’t get away with this.”

  “Watch me,” Zander replies.

  Zander

  “What did you do?” Taylor voices, shock radiating off her as she stares after him, her voice shaky.

  I shut the door on her lingering colleagues, not wanting them to know our business. “Something I should’ve done the first time I saw him put his hands on you.”

  She swings her gaze to me, her shoulders tense. “Zander, this is my life.” She blows out a breath. “I’m going to lose my job over this.”

  Confusion flashes through me and I point at the door. “He was threatening you.”

  “I could handle it,” she growls. “I don’t need you coming to my rescue. You’ve just made it all worse.”

  I shake my head. “No, I haven’t. He’s too much of a coward to not take my threats seriously. He’ll be on his way to resign right now.”

  “And where does that leave me? The whole floor just saw what went on, you can’t expect everyone to keep quiet.”

  “Then let them talk. He deserves everything he gets.”

  I came here to tell Taylor I was sorry, but it looks like I’ve only made things worse. Fuck, can I ever catch a break?

  “What are you even doing here?” she practically shrieks. “I’ve not heard from you in over a week and now you choose to show up.”

  “I came to say I was sorry for how I acted. I just had dinner with my sister and—”

  “You have a sister?”

  I nod, sitting down in one of the chairs behind me, feeling like I’m getting whiplash from this conversation. “I do, she’s a lot like you actually. You’d like her.”

  Her face softens slightly. “And she knows about…” She waves a hand at me.

  “About how fucked up I am?”

  She frowns. “No, about you being a recovering addict.”

  I hate the word “recovering,” it makes me sound like I’ve had an injury when I didn’t. It’s a disease. Let’s just call it for what it is; I’m an addict forever chasing the highs. Of course I don’t voice this to Taylor, I’m already on her shit list.

  “She does.”

  Her gaze flits over my face. “And what does she have to say?”

  “She—”

  “Taylor? I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think we’re going to need you out here for damage control. No one has any idea what’s going on. I just got off the phone with the boss’s brother and he’s on his way up here.”

  Her eyes widen at the door behind her to whoever is speaking through it. “Shit! I’ll be out in a minute, tell everyone they should be heading home now anyway.” She turns toward me. “Whatever happens is on you, I hope you know that. You need to go before Mr. Noble gets here.”

  I want to tell her I should stay, but perhaps it’s best I leave her alone for now. If I stayed I’d only end up doing more damage than good.

  I walk toward her, my hand resting on the door handle. I should apologize and leave her with some parting words, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I open the door and walk away from her without another word.

  16

  Taylor

  As soon as Zander leaves, Steph walks into the office. “What the fuck is going on? Are you okay?” My heart thumps wildly in my chest and all I can do is stare ahead as I start to hyperventilate. “Shit, sit down, hon.” She guides me over to a seat. “Can I get you a glass of water or something?”

  I shake my head. “My life has turned to shit.”

  Her eyes nearly bug out of her head. “What, why? What the hell happened in here just now?”

  “He thinks I conspired against him to get that account. The guy who just walked out is the client we were talking about.” I close my eyes and take a deep calming breath. “It’s not the first time Mr. Noble has put his hands on me.”

  “That rat bastard!” She jumps up out of her chair. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  I shrug. “I
thought it was more trouble than my job’s worth.”

  “But if you’d have said something then he wouldn’t have been here anymore.”

  Commotion from the hall has me standing as my boss’s younger brother walks toward the office. “Oh, God.”

  Steph straightens up. “You’re alright, hon. I’m right here with you.”

  Instead of looking angry, when he steps into the room he smiles. “Ladies, I’m sorry to have to do this but I need one of you to inform anyone that hasn’t yet left that they need to stay behind. Of course they’ll be paid overtime.”

  Steph looks at me before stepping forward. “Absolutely, Mr. Noble.”

  “Thank you.” After Steph leaves he returns his focus to me. “You’re my brother’s assistant, aren’t you?” I nod, holding back a gulp as he shuts the door. “I don’t know what’s happened, but he came downstairs to my office telling me I could have his job and shouting about slutty assistants.” I cringe and he puts up a hand. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to insinuate anything, I just want to get to the bottom of this quickly so I know what to tell everyone who’s waiting for me.”

  Fuck it. I’m not keeping my mouth shut anymore. I kept quiet over the last three years, but after seeing Zander stand up for me like that, I’ve realized I need to do the same for myself.

  “I’m a graphic designer by trade.” His brow rises. “I…. know one of our clients and he insisted I work on his account. Your brother wasn’t happy about it, but he allowed it.”

  “And what does any of that have to do with what happened today?”

  I take a deep breath. “The client I’m working with was actually someone that stopped… your brother had ahold of my arm… I…” I swallow down the lump in my throat before whispering, “If he hadn’t have turned up when he did, I don’t know how far he would’ve taken it.”

  His face pales. “Is this the first time…” he trails off, but I know what he’s asking so I shake my head no. “Why didn’t you make a formal complaint? This is a serious accusation.”