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Unfazed at this point by his barked orders, I walk to his office, entering at the sa Then he scowls at ers on the phone?"

"His secretary says he’s at a tea how I’ve turnedNBA team owners ill actually answer

"I don’t care where the fuck he is," Brandon Senior snaps "If I don’t have him on the phone in fifteen minutes, you’re fired"

I bristle at the threat, and ers me for my reaction more than at him I will not allow these damnable circumstances to turn oing to do it no matter what, and if not, my response sets a tone for the future "If you fire me," I say, my voice firm and confident, "who’ll put up with your crankiness? And arrange your conference calls And find Mike for you?"

"Well, you haven’t found hie in the question sidetracked when he hacks a few more times

"I have found him," I retort when he settles down "He just refuses to be interrupted"

"When he’s on the phone with me, then you’ve found him Get out of my office and shut the door until then"

I’et out of his office, watching as he obviously chokes backhot to drink and soers is the only drug I need"

"I respectfully disagree"

"You’re pushing your luck, Ms Stevens"

Resigned to his stubborn arrogance, I exit the office, pulling the door shut, and then claithat extension "Jessica," I say when she answers "It’s Emily"

"I was about to head in your direction for lunch"

"I told you, I can’t go with you," I say, and quickly change the subject, "but I have a question Is there a drugstore that delivers nearby? It’s for Brandon Senior"

"Not that delivers What’s wrong with hieous woman in a sleek black pantsuit breezes intoher shoulders More than a little shocked that I wasn’t warned of her entry first, I quickly say, "I need to call you back," to Jessica and replace the receiver on the cradle "Can I help you?"

"Honey," she purrs, stopping in front ofher Chanel purse fro my husband with that sweetness you ooze, you’ve already helped"

My eyes go wide "You’re--" I alrief, she looks too young to be Shane’s mother, her pale skin more porcelain than et for my husband’s wrath" She claims a chair in front ofhim?"

"His wrath isn’t so bad," I say "Some of the people he does business with are fairly hateful, but I’m no delicate flower"