by Claire Adams
"Well, I'm the CEO, and I do feel it's necessary. So you'll sit down and do it," I said sternly. "I'm not arguing with you, Sloan. I'm running a business here, and you need to comply with my directives if you want to remain employed."
"I don't know what's gotten into you, but this is an ugly side that I've never seen before," she said narrowing her eyes. "I resent being treated like a common sales person when I'm bringing in some of the biggest clients Baby Steps will ever have."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Sloan," I said, holding her gaze as I held my ground. "But I expect all of the sales people to maintain their paperwork so that we can make sure the orders are being filled properly. You are no exception to the rule."
"Fine, I'll fill it out," she huffed as she grabbed her bag and stormed out.
I watched as she grabbed the papers from Norma. I chuckled as Norma turned and winked at me. As I stood at my desk thinking about how I was going to outsmart Sloan and Lincoln, for the first time since my father died, I felt like I had a purpose in the company. I also knew that I had other things that needed to be addressed, but I wasn't quite ready to go there—yet.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Leah
I ate breakfast with Riley and Betty, and we discussed the tutor situation. Riley was grudgingly going along with the plan but, I knew that by the time the day was over, she'd be on board. Betty had assured me that the tutor was one of the best in the city and that Riley would love working with her.
I was surprised when I found Jimmy waiting for me in the driveway after breakfast. He drove me into the office but agreed to drop me off a block from the front door so that I wouldn't have to explain why I was being ferried to work in the boss's car.
"Hey, Leah, where's Riley?" Burt asked as he clocked in and looked over the day's orders. "We were getting used to having the little mite around!"
"She's back in school, boys," I said, giving them a grateful smile. "I appreciate your kindness and patience as we worked out the issues with the suspension."
"Hey, you know, we've all been there," Burt said sympathetically.
"I haven't been," Javier chimed in.
"That's because you're 12, too," Burt shot back. "You haven't lived enough to get suspended."
The guys laughed and slapped Javi on the back as they got to work pulling boxes and loading up the orders that were to be shipped out in the morning pickup. I was grateful that they had no idea about Lincoln’s and Sloan’s plan because I didn't trust that they would keep cool heads about the plotted destruction of the company. I also didn't want them worrying about their job security. I knew that once there was a hint of instability, the workers would go running to look for new jobs. I couldn't afford to lose even one of them.
I worked quietly in my office all morning, only briefly wondering what Jack was doing in the office upstairs before refocusing on the orders I'd received from the sales force the day before. I hummed to myself as I typed and tried not to let my mind wander to the fact that I still needed to get to the hospital to visit Mama and find a realtor to deal with the house.
"One thing at a time," I murmured as my fingers moved swiftly across the keyboard.
"Hey, honey!" Norma called, cutting into my concentration.
"Hey, Norma," I said, turning around to find the feisty southerner standing in my doorway. She was wearing a long purple blouse with a chiffon scarf tied at the neck and a tight pair of leggings that were tucked into a pair of purple suede boots. As usual her hair and makeup were impeccable, and I suddenly felt very dumpy and out of touch with anything resembling fashion. "What's up?"
"I've got a new batch of orders for you, darlin'," she said as she stepped into the office and shut the door behind her. "And I want you to know that Jack told me about the plan this morning."
"Plan?" I asked, trying not to betray the fact that I didn't know the plan myself.
"Yeah, you know, the plan to keep Lincoln and that horse's patootie from ruining Baby Steps," she whispered conspiratorially.
"Oh, yes, that one," I said trying to hide a smile at the image of Sloan as a horse's ass. "Well, good, we're going need a lot of support if we're going to stop them. But Norma . . ."
"I know, I know!" she interrupted. "I can't talk to anyone but you or Jack about this because if word gets out before you're ready to move, we're all going to be screwed."
"All right, so we're good then," I laughed. "Show me what you've got."
Norma spent the next half hour explaining the paperwork that Sloan had filled out and then telling me what Jack had decided to do with it. Once I understood the plan, I knew exactly what my role was. I told Norma I had it under control and sent her on her way as I set to work making sure that Baby Steps would be protected from the two who were trying to destroy it.
*
After dinner, I called Patrick and found out nothing had changed with Mama's condition. She was still in the treatment center, and he said they were having a hard time getting her to comply with the rules, but they were hopeful she might talk with a counselor and figure out a compromise.
I sighed as he told me that the realtor thought we'd have to lower the price of the house substantially in order to sell it as is. She felt fairly certain that, once we did, the place would go quickly. Then we'd have money in a couple of months for Mama's treatment and a room in the retirement center. I told him I'd try to come by to see Mama the next week, but he told me that family members were encouraged to stay away until the recovery was fully underway. I sighed and told him to call me when he thought it was a good time to go visit. He assured me he would and then he hung up.
Feeling down after the call, I went upstairs and found Riley sprawled out on the bed doing her homework. Her room was the perfect place for a twelve-year-old girl. It had been painted a light shade of lavender and had a mural of a brightly colored flower garden painted over it. The floor was covered with thick white carpeting that felt like soft grass under my bare feet. The furniture had been painted white and trimmed with the same shade as on the walls and had tiny green vines dotted with flowers running up and down the edges. The whole room was a scene out of a fairy tale. I was surprised that the decorative touches that Betty had added hadn’t made my little tomboy rebel against it. The reality was that it was a room to be envied—and one that Riley didn't want to leave.
I felt happy that she was able to have such a wonderful little space for herself while we were homeless but, it also made me very aware of the fact that I'd never be able to provide her with something like it. I wondered how we'd go back to living in a small apartment once our welcome had been worn out. I pushed the thoughts to the side.
"Hey there, kiddo," I said as I walked over and sat down on the bed next to her.
"Hey, what's up?" she asked as she rolled over and sat up, leaving her books spread across the duvet.
"Nothing, I just wanted to check in and see how your first day with the tutor went," I smiled as I reached out and smoothed her wild hair. She reached up and playfully ruffled it up again.
"It was really awesome, Leah!" she said excitedly. "She taught me all kinds of things that we haven't learned in school, and she gave me a bunch of homework to get done for tomorrow."
"So, you like it?" I asked.
"It's so much better than just sitting around waiting to go back to school," she nodded. "I wish I didn't have to, though."
"You'd rather study with a tutor than go to school with all of your friends?" I asked surprised.
"I don't have any friends, Leah," she said dropping her head and biting her lip. "No one likes me, and I don't like anyone at school. Well, except for Becky, but she's not in my grade."
"I'm sorry about that, Riley," I said reaching out and rubbing her arm. "We'll see if we can't do something about that once we get our own place. Maybe you need to go to a different school."
"Can't I stay here and study with the tutor?" she asked.
"I'm not sure that's possible, sweetie," I said, trying to thin
k of a way to break it to her that I couldn't afford the services of a tutor like the one Betty had employed. "I don't know if your tutor will travel to our new place."
"Oh, nonsense," Betty said as she stepped into the room smiling. "We'll find a way to get her to you when you move to your new home. Either that or you can come here once a week and study with her, if need be."
"Seriously?" Riley asked as she jumped off the bed and ran over to hug Betty.
"Seriously," Betty said as she hugged the girl tightly. "Leah and I will figure it out. Don't you worry. Now, don't you have homework to complete for tomorrow, young lady?"
"I do! I'm working on it," Riley said as she ran back to the bed and threw herself across it. I stood up and turned to go but, before I could, Riley pushed herself up and threw her arms around my waist saying, "Thank you, Leah. I'm glad you let us stay here."
"You're welcome, kiddo," I smiled as I hugged her back. "We'll figure something out. Don't worry."
Betty and I exited the room and quietly closed the door behind us before heading down to the sitting room where she had had the kitchen staff lay out tea and dessert.
"I hope you don't think I'm interfering," she said as she poured us both a cup of tea. "I don't mean to, but Riley is such a smart girl. She loved working with Bree."
"I don't mind at all," I admitted. "But I worry that I'm setting her up for disappointment once we return to our regular lives."
"I know we live a rather extravagant lifestyle," Betty said as she sipped from her cup. "But having you and Riley around makes me realize how much I miss having people in the house. Since Bernard died, it's been so quiet around here and I've felt lonely. The two of you, and Jack of course, make the house much livelier."
"Well, it's been wonderful for us, too," I said. "I can't thank you enough for inviting us to stay with you."
"What are your plans for your next move?" Betty asked.
"I've been looking for an apartment near Riley's school, but she just told me she doesn't want to go back to it. So now I'm not sure where to look," I said, feeling overwhelmed by everything I needed to do. "I guess I'll have to scout out schools."
"I know some excellent ones," Betty offered. "I can give you a list of them, if you like."
"That would be great," I nodded, knowing that the schools she'd recommend were likely to be in neighborhoods where my salary wouldn't make it possible to rent.
"Meanwhile, we'll figure out a way to keep Bree coming to visit Riley once you two are settled again," she said.
"Thank you, Betty. I know Riley would love that," I said. I stood up and excused myself, saying that I was exhausted and needed a hot bath before bed. Betty wished me a good night, and I climbed the stairs, feeling more tired than I had in a very long time.
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRE VOLUME IV
Chapter Thirty-Five
Jack
By the time I got home that night I was exhausted, but also revved up about the plan to thwart Lincoln and Sloan. We'd put most of the pieces in place, and now all we had to do was wait for the two traitors to reveal themselves on their own. I knew we'd have to be careful about how we proceeded, but since Leah, Norma, and I were the only ones who knew what the plan was, I felt confident that no one would let the cat out of the bag.
The house was dark, but as I walked down the hallway to my room, I saw a sliver of light shining from under Leah's door. I stopped and listened, and then tapped lightly on the door.
"I told you to go to—oh, Jack, sorry, I thought you were Riley," Leah laughed. She pushed a strand of wet hair out of her eyes as she smiled at me and asked, "How was your day?"
"It was, um, productive," I said as I stared at her. She must have just taken a shower because she looked fresh and smelled like lavender and sage. My mind immediately recalled what it had felt like to hold her close, and I had the urge to push the door open a little wider and take her in my arms.
"Jack? Are you okay?" she asked, pulling me back to reality.
"Oh, yeah, fine," I said, shaking my head to clear the thoughts. I could feel myself being pulled to her, and every day the pull grew stronger. I wanted to tell her what I was thinking. I knew that if I did, I risked not only being rejected but also losing an incredibly valuable employee. How much longer could this go on?
"So, we figured out a way to manage the shipments that wouldn't interfere with the plan we devised," I heard her saying as I watched her mouth moving. I wanted so badly to kiss her lips.
"That's great, Leah," I said nodding as I stepped closer to the door. Leah backed up and opened the door wider.
"Do you want to come in?" she asked.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about something," I began deciding that it was now or never. I needed to say something or else I'd explode.
"I know," she said looking down at the floor as she bit her lip. "I've been thinking about it, too."
"You have been?" I said surprised that she was being this open with me.
"Yeah, I know it's probably been really difficult for you, so I've been trying to think of a way to talk to you about it," she said looking up at me. Her eyes were a shade of deep blue that reminded me of the ocean off the coast of Santorini, and I was mesmerized by them.
"You have been?" I repeated dumbly.
"I've been trying to think of a way to bring it up since the funeral, but I didn't know how to say it without scaring you off or offending you," she said as she held my gaze. "But after everything that's happened in the past few weeks, and now that Riley and I are staying here, I thought it was probably time to bring it up."
"I see," I said, feeling the blood rushing away from my brain as I anticipated her next sentence.
"Yeah, I don't know quite how to say this, but Jack…" she hesitated for a moment and then took a deep breath and let it all spill out. "I really need a raise. I'm doing a lot of work in the warehouse and taking on a lot of responsibility and with the fire and my mother and Riley. I need a raise so that I can afford to pay for Riley's tutor and move her into a better school. We need to get our own apartment because it's really nice of your mother to put us up like this, but she can't have two guests living in the house indefinitely. Plus it's kind of weird for an employee to be living with her boss, don't you think?"
I stood staring at her as the words tumbled out in rapid succession, shocked that they weren't what I thought they were going to be.
"Ah, yes," I said to hide my disappointment. "Well, then tomorrow we'll talk about what a fair raise would be. I definitely can't afford to lose you."
"Thank you, Jack," she said, smiling up at me. "I appreciate your understanding and your willingness to consider my proposal."
"No problem," I nodded as I turned and walked out the door.
"Sweet dreams!" she called as I pulled the door shut behind me. I went back to my room and took a long cold shower, hoping that it would quell the aching need. But as I climbed into bed, I realized that nothing but Leah herself was going to accomplish that.
The image of her pretty face and her curvy body under the nightclothes she wore would not leave my mind, so I lay under the sheet stroking myself. The release gave me enough relief to fall asleep, but my dreams were full of Leah.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Leah
I arrived at the office the next morning, ready to take on the challenge of negotiating a raise and finding out what the next steps would be in the plan to stop Lincoln and Sloan. I checked in with Norma. She said Jack was in his office with the door shut, and she had instructions not to disturb him.
I set to work on the day's orders and double-checked what had gone out the day before.
"Yo, boss lady," Burt teased as I walked through the warehouse inspecting the inventory and making sure the deliveries had been unpacked and stored. "How much longer before the construction crew is done and gone?"
"I'm not sure," I said as I looked down at my clipboard and back up at the stack of diapers on the shelf. "I'll ask when I go to the meeting la
ter, but I'm fairly certain that it's only going to be another week or so."
"Good, the guys and I are getting a little tired of them shoving us out of the way while we're trying to work," Burt said.
"I'll make sure I mention it to Mr. Yates," I replied, being careful to maintain an air of distance from Jack. I didn't want anyone to know I was living at his mother's house, and I especially didn't want them to know that I'd fallen for Jack.
After lunch, Norma called down to tell me that Jack was going to visit the warehouse around four and that he wanted a run down on the status of the new orders along with a summary of the status of everything we had going out this week. I assured her I'd have it all ready for him when he came down.
I spent the rest of the afternoon compiling reports while I fought back the memory of Jack's arms around me and the feeling of his lips on mine. I had no idea how I was going to negotiate a raise while I fantasized about what it would feel like to pull off his shirt and press my naked breasts against his skin.
"Knock it off, Walsh," I muttered to myself as I typed up a summary report. "If you're not careful, you're going to get yourself fired for inappropriate behavior."
I reminded myself that men like Jack didn't fall for poor, Irish girls from the wrong side of the city. Any fantasies of that happening would be relegated to nothing more than my imagination.
But I still held out a sliver of hope that the impossible could become possible.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Jack
All afternoon, I'd been making urgent phone calls as I steadily worked to put the pieces in place for the plan to save Baby Steps from destruction. By the time I looked at the clock, I realized I was late for my meeting with Leah.
"Darlin', you need to get a move on," Norma called from the front office. "You were supposed to meet with Leah an hour ago. Oh, and the construction foreman said Leah's office is finished, so you might want to go take a peek at it.