Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Dylan
Five years later
Baby number three. I swear she’s going to leave me one of these days. Her swollen feet, swollen cheeks, and swollen belly make her so grumpy, but I just find her adorable.
“If you call me adorable one more time, Mr. Hunter, I’m going to turn into a freaking Gremlin.”
“Sorry, love. It’s almost over.”
“I’m sorry, too.” Tears well up in her eyes. I’m not sure what set her off today, but something has her riled up and emotional.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Can we talk about it later? You have to leave for work and Jack has school.”
“Yes, but you will tell me, right?” I don’t like waiting until later to discuss feelings bullshit, but maybe it’s just her hormones. At this point in the pregnancy, it could be anything.
“Yes.” I kiss her softly, but there’s something missing in it. My chest hurts, but Jack tugs at my pant leg.
“Daddy, it’s time to go.”
“Okay. Let’s go, buddy.” I ruffle his hair before scooping him up. Staring at my wife, I’m bothered more now than ever, but I can’t figure it out. Dropping my son off at school, I double down on the security team for my wife.
“I’ll be in a long meeting today and unavailable unless my wife needs me, so make sure she’s well taken care of. Please let me know if something is wrong. Understood?”
“Yes, Mr. Hunter. Is there something going on? Are you concerned about her guard?”
“No, but I want to make sure she’s extra protected. She has a doctor’s appointment today, and I can’t make it.” Fuck, is that the problem? I’ve been to the majority of them, and her doctor changed the appointment, not me.
“Very well, sir.”
As soon as I enter my floor, I go straight into my office, ignoring my new assistant who stands up as I pass by. Briggs went off to bigger and better things after graduating with his master’s. HR hired my new assistant while I was on vacation with my wife. So far, I hardly speak to her unless it’s necessary. My trust issues with women haven’t improved much just because I fell in love with Harley. She’s the exception to the rule.
“Mr. Hunter, your meeting starts in ten minutes.”
“Yes, I know. Is there something important that caused you to walk into my office without knocking?”
“Sorry, sir.” I look up from my computer, and I notice she’s actually leaning on my desk with her hands splayed out and her chest practically in my face. I fall back on my chair and slide it back.
“Get out of my office now. Don’t come in here unless I call you.”
She stands up and does so. I call HR and say, “I want my assistant’s information instantly.”
“Sir, that’s inappropriate.”
“I’m talking about her fucking resume. I want to know how the fuck you thought it was okay to hire her while I was gone.”
“You told me I could as long as the person was qualified. Her qualifications are exemplary.” She sends it up as I walk to the meeting and as I read it, something catches my eye. As one of the directors speaks, I do some research and notice one fucking mistake that the HR manager didn’t account for when hiring this fraud. This CV is full of shit. When I get out of my meeting, she’s gone. As a matter of fact, they both are.
I’m nearly halfway done with our meeting when I hear commotion and shouting. “Excuse me.”
“Sir,” Bogan, the guard I had with my wife, is standing in between my wife and my assistant.
“Harley, are you okay?”
My wife glares at me, tears in her beautiful eyes. “Are you fucking her?”
“What? Have you fucking lost your mind? Of course not.” I storm toward my heavily pregnant wife to examine her for injuries. She appears okay, but I’m still concerned. “In fact, you—” I look back down at my phone so I can remember my assistant’s name. I look back at the woman, who is looking a little too smug. “Ms. Greene, you’re fired.” She gasps and has her mouth open wide.
“What? Why?”
“Why? First, there has to be a reason my wife is here ready to rip your hair out. Second, that shit you tried to pull in my office this morning. If I didn’t need to be in a meeting, I would have fired you then. Third, you lied on your CV. You never attended Harvard School of Business. You’re not thirty-five. You’re twenty-six, and you don’t have twelve years of experience.”
“Shit. My aunt didn’t cover my tracks well. So what? I’ve done a great job and, well, it looks like she’s getting too big for you to handle.”
“My wife is perfect and the only one I need. Get the fuck out of my building.” I turn to my security. “Get her out of here before I do it myself.”