“How was the real thing, sweetheart?”
“Delicious” was the last thing she said before Dex fucked her soul out of her body.
Chapter 22
“I just need to point out that you’re glowing,” Janice noted with a smirk.
“I’m what?” Dex asked, perplexed by the out of the blue observation.
“You’re glowing,” she repeated as if it’s supposed to make sense the second time.
“Isn’t that something women do with they are pregnant or something?” Dex deflected. He knew what she was saying and why; it didn’t mean he wanted to discuss it.
“I know how you work Dex,” Janice pointed out matter-of-factly. “You know what I’m talking about, and I just want to say congratulations. That’s all.” She was off in a flurry of hot pink and blonde before he could respond.
Okay, so he confirmed his hunch that his feelings for Cayla was deeper than just sex. And they did spend three amazing, argument-free days together. While all of that was true, he knew he couldn’t call them a couple just yet. They still had a lot to accomplish to get to that point. Cayla’s confession was illuminating to say the least. He’d felt a bevy of emotions when she spoke. He was angry at the ex, confused about her lack of a social life, happy she was confiding in him, and sad that it all hurt her.
Also, he couldn’t help but wonder what else she was holding on to in that pretty, little head of hers. She obviously hated her job, but still refused to tell him why. If she wouldn’t talk about her job, what else was she not talking about? Cayla still confused the hell out of him.
Dex’s phone rang, pulling him out of his thoughts. “Hey, Nick,” he said into the phone. “How’s the demos going?”
“Fine,” Nick huffed. “But that’s not why I’m calling. I might have a bit of information that will give you the opening you’ve been trying to get.”
“Do tell,” Dex prompted while slipping into the office. He’d told Nick about his suspicions with Cayla’s work environment.
“Well, a very hungry Cayla texted Kalilah about having to work through lunch and not having anything on hand to eat. And who better than the man in her life to feed her? Right?”
Dex’s blood kicked up a few notches. It’s go time. “I’m on it.” He was gone before Nick could respond, but Nick knew it’s his nature.
Within fifteen minutes, Dex was swinging the catering van into Tech’s Tec complex. Now, he needed a way to get to Cayla’s floor. He arrived at the front door the same time as a man he was certain he had seen before. His gray eyes collided with the gentleman’s blue ones, and for some strange reason, he immediately trusted him.
“Well, well. Cayla’s Dex is making office visits now. Welcome.” He swiped his badge and let them both inside of the glass building.
“I didn’t know I was that popular.” Dex smiled. “What’s your name?”
“Felix,” he offered with a hand.
“Ah. Cubicle to her right,” Dex revealed has they shook hands.
Felix eyebrows rose a notch. “I would have never guessed I would make it to home conversations.”
“Sorry, but that’s the extent of my knowledge. You are the only thing I know about this damn place. Can you get me to your floor? There is something here upsetting her. She won’t tell me, but I want to find it and kill it. Generally speaking, of course.”
Felix’s smile consumed his face. “It would be my pleasure.”
“Cayla!” She cringed at the sound of her name. “Where were you Monday and Tuesday? I could report you as a No Call No Show!” Craig yelled for everyone to hear.
Cayla had been blissfully happy when she returned to work that morning to find Craig out for meeting all day. She sighed heavily. It was too good to be true.
“YOU told me not to come back until Wednesday!” Her patience with him gone. He was killing another sex glow.
“I did no such thing. I will deduct it from your vacation.” Cayla’s blood boiled but she said nothing. She would happily give up two vacation days not see him and have the sex and quality time she had with Dex.
She frowned at him and turned to walk away.
“And what is up with your reports! Trash! All of them! I’m starting to wonder how you lasted here so long. I don’t know what your last supervisor saw, maybe he thought you were pretty.” The shoulders Cayla was sure were covered in hair swung up towards his ears in a belligerent shrug. “I know, maybe you can use your looks to marry rich. That way I don’t have be BLINDED by your idiocy.”
“Who in the hell do you think you’re talking to?” Cayla recognized the voice, she just couldn’t believe she was hearing it in her office.
A very pissed off Dex was now standing beside her glaring at Craig. He absently passed her a bag of what smelled like amazing food as he stared down her troll of a boss.
“Who in the hell are you?” Craig challenged as he stood up straighter trying to look taller. “And how did you get on this floor?”
Cayla slid her eyes over to a very amused looking Felix. He smirked and shrugged.
“Trust me when I tell you how I got on this floor is the least of your problems,” Dex answered.
He was already sexy, but the way he cave manned his way in her office to stand up for her had her mentally scouting places to drag him.
“Don’t threaten me; I will call security,” Craig whined.
“I believe you owe her an apology. That is not how you speak to your employees.” Dex rested his hands on his hips and continued his stare down.
“You’re some food delivery guy, what do you know about management?” Craig challenges while underestimating Dex’s age.
“I know a lot because I manage at least 50 employees. You can’t seem to manage. What? Ten? Apologize now, or this will get ugly.” Dex’s threat was clear.
Craig may have interpreted that as physical harm, but Cayla knew what he meant. The Sinclairs had the power to be Tech’s Tec worst nightmare. This was one of the reason’s she didn’t tell him her problems. Now, she didn’t care what happened to the company.
“I don’t have to apologize for reprimanding an employee, who will be fired if you don’t back off.” Craig looked around for support but didn’t find any.
“You’ve been warned.” Dex voice was eerily calm. “Cayla, I want to see his boss’s boss. Now.”
Cayla didn’t argue because she knew better than anyone in that building who Dex was and the reach of his name.
“They’re in a meeting.”
“I don’t care.”
“Follow me.”
“Cayla!” Craig warned. “One more step, and you’re fired. I mean it this time!”
“I’m coming, too,” Felix announced while grabbing his notebook. “I have a few complaints with dates and times.”
Cayla and Felix led Dex to the conference room with a frazzled Craig in tow. Dex opened the door without hesitation and took over the meeting.
“Who’s in charge here?” he demanded from the group.
Lester, who’s mug was just as ugly as Craig’s frowned with indignation. “Who are you, and why do you think it’s okay to burst into my meeting?”
Cayla felt his eyes settle on her with disdain.
“It appears to be Cayla’s boyfriend,” Craig suggested from behind us.
“I take it you’re the leader?” Dex asked, pointing at Lester. “Can you explain to me why he thinks it’s okay to yell at Cayla? Why he thinks it’s okay to tell her she’s an idiot? Why he advised her to use her looks to marry rich?”
Cayla blushed. She’d hoped that Dex hadn’t heard all those insults.
Lester shrugged. “Do you have proof of your allegations?”
Cayla wanted to punch the smug smile off Craig’s face.
“I am proof. I’m a visitor, and I heard him say it. He needs to be fired.”
“From the looks of it, Cayla is the only one in line to be fired,” Lester sneered unapologetically
“He’s his uncle, Dex, and HR is
his cousin,” Felix supplied before speaking up. “I have notes, dates, and times where he has said unsavory things to Cayla. But let me guess, I don’t count either.”
Lester glared at Felix. “If you are also responsible for bringing this man in here right before a big meeting, then your fate is just a bleak as hers,” he threatened tossing Cayla another judgmental look. “We work off merit, not sympathy.”
“I want to make sure I’m hearing you correctly. He gets no consequence for mistreating a valued employee? You’re taking his word that she isn’t a good employee without looking at her work yourself?” He points in the direction of the HR guy. “And because he’s your cousin, you don’t feel the need to investigate her claims,” Dex questioned the other red-head in the room.
Donald, the HR Manger shrugged. “I have no formal complaints to look into.”
“You don’t really want to work the family angle right now!” Dex warned.
“Look food manager, we have real work to do. Run along and go play in the kitchen.” Darrin’s voice was smug and condescending. “IF you are so worried about her wellbeing, take care of her on your manager’s salary.”
Sheryl smiles at Darrin like he’s some kind of hero. Cayla could feel her blood pressure rising; she wanted to punch all of them in the face as well, but knew Dex was toying with them, giving them the opportunity to do the right thing. Dex alone was rich enough to wage a damaging war against them. At this rate, he was about to drop the hammer.
“I don’t know what is going on here exactly, but I must express my confusion. Craig, are you saying Cayla is a bad or incompetent employee?” Cayla felt warmed by Justin’s genuine confusion. He was the best supervisor she’d had.
“According to Craig, Cayla’s only been here this long because you thought she was pretty,” Felix informed him.
Justin balks at the accusation. “What? She is here because she’s one of the best.” He turned to the boss. “Look, Lester, if you fire these two, you will be losing your best analysts.”
“And you, too, if you’re condoning this blatant attempt to discredit my nephew.” Justin bristled at Lester’s callous words. He tried to reply but was cut off. “His reports are top-notch.”
“Like this one?” Felix yanked the paper out to Craig’s hand and slid it to Justin.
Justin shifted from glaring at Lester to reviewing the report. “Yes, this is excellent.”
“That is the exact same report Craig just yelled at Cayla for doing wrong when he called her an idiot,” Dex pointed out with his hand on his hips.
Justin eyeballed Craig. “Why is Cayla working on something I gave you to do? This is unacceptable. You report to me. I told you to do this work…”
Craig blanched and sputtered to come up with an excuse.
“Something tells me she’s been doing all of the top-notch work,” Felix said sardonically while looking at Lester.
“I’m giving you one last time to correct the issue, or there will be problems for all of you. Trust me, you don’t want these problems.”
“This is just hearsay. This woman is controlling these men to come in here and lie for her. Sheryl. Call security and get them and their trespassing friend off my property.”
“If you are going to use the family angle, I have a family, too,” Dex warned them curtly.
Cayla shook her head. This is why she’d never gone to Lester. He was worse than his nephew. Even with evidence, he was ready to toss her out on her ass just because something was said against his nephew.
The video chat chimed before Sheryl could call for security. All the men sat up straighter as they looked at the big screen waiting for their big meeting to connect. Cayla grinned when Andrew Sinclair’s gorgeous face came into view.
Chapter 23
Dex smiled when he saw his dad on the big screen. He could not have timed it better had he tried. He was sporting his bored business face with his reading glasses perched on his nose.
“Let’s make this quick, Lester, I have things to do.” Dex watched in amusement when Andrew’s eyes connected with his, moved on, then doubled back in surprise. “Dex? Is that you? What are you doing there?”
The whole room turned and looked at him. “Visiting.”
Andrew nodded. “You’re friends with Lester’s boy?”
Dex shook his head. “Not even close.”
Andrew leaned back in his chair. “I’m confused.”
Dex looked around the conference room. All the faces he encountered stared at him confused by his conversation. A smile crept up on his face. They didn’t get it.
“Hey, Dad, I know you’re busy, but I have a few questions for you...”
The collective gasp was music to Dex’s ears; he was never one to ride off his Dad’s power, but this was satisfying.
“Son, is it something you can ask me later?”
“I wish I could, Dad, but, I’m trying to determine how upset I should be right now.”
“Is that why you’re there? Something upset you?”
“More or less. Dad, if someone you didn’t know came into one of your meetings to inform you one of your supervisors was sorely mistreating a subordinate, what would you do?”
“Find out who that person was and see if there was any truth to the claim.”
“And if you found out that the supervisor was in fact verbally abusive and making said employee do his or her work?”
Andrew sighed like the answer was obvious. “Fired.”
“And if I, your own son, was that supervisor.”
“Still fired. Are we getting to the point, son?”
“Almost, and if you found out that one of your suppliers had that exact scenario and opted to fire the victim and her witness instead of the family member?”
“Cancelled. I don’t need to do business with that type of person or company.”
Lester turned whiter than he already was. “Last question, Dad. What if that abused employee was Cayla?”
Andrew’s inquisitive face went hostile. His eyes darkened with anger. He yanked off his glasses and stared at Dex.
“Cayla as in my daughter-in-law, Kalilah’s, little sister? My honorary baby girl who’s practically a Sinclair? That Cayla?”
Dex smiled when Cayla peeked around him and waved at the camera. Andrew stood and leaned on his desk.
“Cayla? Darling, are you being mistreated? Who do I need to fire? Or what company do I need to purchase and dismantle?” Andrew stomped off camera and returned shrugging into his suit jacket. “Lester, I don’t know what in the hell is going on over there…”
“Uh, nothing, Mr. Sinclair. Everything is fine,” he sputtered like the idiot his nephew accused Cayla of being.
“Cayla?” Andrew was done listening to his answer. “Were you being verbally abused, and if so by whom?” Dex knew why Cayla hesitated, she didn’t like being a victim. Felix; however, had no qualms with snitching.
Felix nudged Craig into Andrew’s line of sight. His complaint came out rushed. “He’s right here, Mr. Sinclair. His name is Craig, and he’s Lester’s nephew. He yelled at her in front of the entire floor. He said her work was trash. It’s the same work my supervisor said was excellent. He also told her maybe she could use her looks to marry rich. That way he didn’t have be BLINDED by her idiocy, yet she’s been doing all of his work since he became her supervisor.” Andrew’s face scrunched in pure rage as he eyeballed Craig. “And that was just today, sir. I have a whole list right here of different insults, dates, and times over the last few months.”
“Craig,” Andrew growled, his voice is low and deadly. “You are fired. Grab your shit and leave. NOW!”
“I…I don’t work for you.” Craig tried his last shred of defiance.
“If you don’t leave now, NO ONE WILL WORK FOR TECH’S TEC! Do you understand what I’m saying, or are you slow?”
“Just go Craig,” Lester implored, his lip trembling. Craig scurried out like the bitch he was while Lester tried to mend fences. “Mr. Sinclair…
”
“Not now, Lester. I will be there in 30 minutes. We will talk in your office…”
“It’s okay, Dad. Don’t alter your schedule.” Dex looked down to address Lester. “Lucky for you, I believe in second chances, but I have a few demands. You will lay off Cayla and Felix,” Dex commanded. “You will give them a lovely severance package of six-month’s worth of pay plus the vacation and sick days they haven’t used. Since Justin is the only one who is diplomatic and objective enough to believe me when I stormed in, I want him to write their letters of recommendation. If any future employer ever calls to check their references, you better give them glowing recommendations. You will not hire Craig back under any circumstance or umbrella. Not even as your damn maid. You will restructure your leadership by hiring a new HR manager. I don’t care what position you give your son, he just cannot have any power over anyone. The new HR Manager will not be related to you in any form since you aren’t capable of punishing family members. AM I CLEAR?”
Dex waited for Lester to respond. “Yes.” His answer was soft and defeated.
“Did you write that all down?” His eyes settled on Lester’s sour-faced assistant and waited for her nod. “Now, read it back to me, because God help you all if my conditions are not met…”
Once he was satisfied with the list he looked at Lester. “Don’t try to blame anyone other than your nephew and your lack of leadership skills for the mess you’ve found yourself in today. You are supposed to be a leader, not a bully. You are supposed to protect and encourage your employees, not break their spirits.”
Dex looked around the room taking in all the stunned faces. He still didn’t trust them. “I’ll be sending my brother in here randomly for the next six months for supplier audits to make sure you’ve gotten your shit together. Trust me when I say you’d rather deal with him than me or my dad. Don’t try to bullshit him; he’s a genius. If and only IF you get his seal of approval, Sinclair Industries will consider renewing your contract. Understand?”
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