Fearless: (McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series - Book 2) Page 25

  “Just stop it!”

  Shane glares at me, apparently not appreciating the interruption. “Beth – ”

  I jab my finger in his direction. “Don’t. He’s my brother, Shane. You need to cut him some slack.”

  I know Tyler can be hard to deal with. Yes, he’s opinionated and stubborn and controlling. But he’s also loving and loyal to a fault. He would give me his last nickel if I needed it. He’s been more like a father to me than a brother my entire life, and it’s hard for him to share me with Shane.

  “And you!” I glare at Tyler. “We talked about this last night. I told you I’m happy, and I asked you to back off. You need to respect my wishes.”

  Tyler crosses his arms over his chest, his jaws clenched so tightly I’m afraid he’s going to crack his teeth. His eyes are as dark and hard as flint as he glares at Shane.

  I turn back to Shane. “Why didn’t you tell me he was here?”

  Shane shrugs, not looking the least bit repentant. “I wanted to have a chat with him first.”

  “You call this chatting? Really? Are you done now?”

  Shane has the decency to look sheepish. “I guess we’re done. For now.”

  I shake my head in dismay and grab Tyler’s hand, pulling him from the room. “Let’s go. I’m hungry.”

  Outside, we hail a cab.

  Tyler’s still tense. “Where do you want to eat?”

  “We aren’t going to Mario’s?” Tyler and I have been having pizza at Mario’s in Hyde Park near my townhouse every Saturday for eons.

  Tyler gives me an incredulous look. “We’re not going anywhere near the townhouse.”

  Oh, right. Kline. “Okay. Then where do you want to go?”

  “How about my place? I’ll make lunch.”

  “Sure. That sounds good.” I haven’t been to Tyler’s Lincoln Park condo in ages, and surprisingly, my brother’s a pretty good cook. Unlike me, he did spend time learning how to cook with our mother when he was young.

  On the drive to Tyler’s condo, I sneak a peek at him. He’s wearing black jeans and a button-down white shirt – his version of casual. He’s a very good looking guy, physically very fit, short dark hair, bronzed skin, and blue-green eyes. He’s a contradiction. Hot as hell, even if I do say so myself, and yet he’s far too serious, too straight-laced. Someday, he’ll make some woman very happy. But she’d better be just as opinionated and stubborn and controlling as he is, or else he’ll smother her to death.

  Once we reach his condo, up on the 38th floor of his upscale building, Tyler suggests that we grill burgers on the balcony. He has a spacious condo in a nice building, which he’s decorated himself in dark woods with a natural palette of browns and other Earth tones. It’s a masculine space, very bachelor, and a little sparse – but it’s also cozy and tidy. I’ve spent plenty of nights here in the guest bedroom sleeping under a quilt our grandmother made long before I was even born.

  While Tyler puts burgers on the grill, I make us two salads and steam some mixed fresh veggies on the stove. We settle in at a little wrought iron bistro table for two out on the balcony to eat. The food is simple and delicious, and we eat in companionable silence, relaxing as we gaze out over his gorgeous view of a lush, green park. Park goers are walking, jogging, and pushing baby strollers. There’s a playground filled with children, and the buzzing drone of their chatter wafts up to us faintly on the breeze.

  “You’re a good cook,” I tell him, after having taken a bite of my burger. “You need a girlfriend to cook for.”

  He shoots me a wary glance. “My life is complicated enough as it is, Beth. I don’t have the time or the patience for a girlfriend.”

  I shake my head at him, thinking he’s in for a rude awakening someday. “You’re not getting any younger, Tyler. You need to make time.” Tyler’s forty-four years old. It’s not too late for him to have a family of his own, but he’s got to make an effort. For starters, he’s got to actually get out there and meet someone. And then, he’s got to convince her to put up with him. The thought makes me chuckle, and he looks suspiciously at me.

  I decide to change the subject. “Tell me what you and Shane were fighting about.”

  Tyler shrugs, then pushes up his sunglasses and pinches the bridge of his nose. I can’t tell if he’s exasperated or bashful. Most likely exasperated.

  He sighs, as if resigning himself to answering the question. “I asked him what his intentions are in regards to you.”

  I sputter, nearly choking on a mouthful of my soft drink. “You what?”

  He shrugs again. “I asked him what his intentions are. I have every right to know. Is he going to marry you or not?”

  I roll my eyes. Not only is Tyler acting like a father, but he’s acting like a father from the previous century. “I’ve only known him a few months, Tyler. It’s way too premature for us to start thinking about marriage. We’re still getting to know each other. Besides, I’m an adult. Is my relationship with Shane really any of your business?”

  Tyler’s gaze is locked on the scenery. “He’s cohabitating with you, Beth. He’s having sex with you. Yes, his intentions are my business. If Dad were alive, he’d be asking Shane these questions. You can bet on it.”

  “Well, it’s premature for all that, anyway.” I take a sip of my drink, and I can’t help wondering how Shane responded to Tyler’s questions – all the yelling aside. I doubt Shane took well to being interrogated. Still, I am curious. “So, what did he say?”

  “He told me to mind my own fucking business.”

  I snort with laughter. I can’t help it. That sounds like Shane.

  Tyler scowls as he rises from his chair. “Do you want ice cream? I have a brand new carton of mint chocolate chip.”

  My favorite flavor. “I’d love some, thank you.”

  While Tyler gets the ice cream, I sit on the balcony and gaze off into the distance. I meant it when I said it’s too soon for Shane and me to even think of marriage. We’re in a committed relationship, yes – of that I have no doubt. And I trust Shane. I know he had a reputation as a love-‘em-and-leave-‘em guy, and he’s left behind a trail of broken hearts, but I don’t worry that he’ll cheat on me. But marriage? Is marriage even on his radar screen? He could have any woman he wanted – like the assistant district attorney I saw him with at the pub last night. Would he really want to settle down to just one woman, presumably for the rest of his life?

  Tyler carries two bowls of ice cream out onto the balcony, and we watch the kids playing in the park as we eat.

  “I’ll try to be civil where Shane’s concerned,” Tyler says after a long, companionable silence.

  I glance at him. “Thanks. It’s important to me that you two get along. I love you both, and I can’t live without either one of you.”

  His expression is somber. “As long as he takes good care of you and keeps you safe, I’ll give him a chance.”

  I think that’s the best I’m going to get out of Tyler.

  Chapter 32

  Monday morning arrives all too soon, and I’m back at Clancy’s learning the ropes. When I graduate from running the check-out counter, Erin reassigns me to straightening and restocking the shelves. I’m pretty much in bibliophile heaven. She gives me the coveted fiction sections (and yes, maybe I did pull a few strings to make that happen), so I’m pretty much spending half a day playing with books and getting paid for it!

  Shane’s been paying my bills since I left my job at the medical school library – he refused to let me use any of my small nest egg of savings. So, I really need to start making some money again so I can take over paying my own bills and figure out a plan to pay him back.

  Having worked in a library for two years, I’m a pro at alphabetizing and shelving books. And I’ve been known to get a little anal retentive about it, making sure the books are in the proper order, all lined up neatly and evenly on the shelves. And sometimes, if I’m feeling particularly obsessive, I’ll even alphabetize an author’s individual title
s.

  Sam is always lurking nearby, usually entertaining himself with a book or with merchandise from the toy section. Honestly, sometimes I think he’s just a big kid. Apparently, he’s a huge sci-fi fan, liking everything from Dr. Who to Star Trek to Firefly. Fortunately, there’s plenty here in the store to keep him entertained.

  I’m in the Westerns section, straightening up the Zane Greys which got mixed in up with a ton of James Griffin novels. I still can’t believe I’m getting paid to do this. I could shelve and organize books all day. I feel like a kid who’s been let loose in a candy store and told to have fun.

  After I finish straightening the shelves, I spend some time at the front of the store straightening up the tables displaying newly released hardbacks and paperbacks. A table of Dr. Who merchandise is looking a little worse for wear, so I straighten that up as well. It’s very satisfying to be here, working to keep the merchandise organized and neat, and helping customers find what they’re looking for.

  Every few minutes a customer asks me where to find something. One young woman asks me where she can find the Outlander books, and a young boy and his father ask me where they can find Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I’ve been coming to this store my entire life, so of course I know where every genre is shelved. I take customers around the store and help them find what they’re looking for, and it all feels so right.

  I’m having so much fun, I pull out my phone – even though it’s against company policy – and send Shane a text message.

  I love working in the bookstore. I know this is the right decision. Thank you, Shane! <3

  A couple minutes later, he sends a reply.

  I’m glad, sweetheart. Enjoy it.

  “You’d better put that thing away before The Dragon Lady sees you.”

  I jump, not realizing Sam’s standing right behind me. “Don’t do that! You scared the crap out of me.”

  He chuckles. “In case you haven’t noticed, your shift ended fifteen minutes ago. Lia’s here, looking at porn magazines.”

  “We don’t carry porn magazines, Sam.”

  “If you don’t believe me, go look for yourself.”

  He leads me to the magazine section, and I find Lia mulling over a fitness magazine. On the cover is a beefy guy with well-oiled muscles, posing in a pair of tiny swim trunks.

  Sam looks at me, gloating. “See? I told you.”

  “Told her what?” Lia returns the magazine to the shelf. “Hey, Princess. Ready to roll?”

  I can’t believe my half-day’s over already. Time flies when you’re having fun. And to make a great day even better, I didn’t see Vanessa once during my entire shift.

  Lia follows Sam and me upstairs to the employee lounge so I can grab my purse and clock out. As we’re heading back toward the staircase, we pass the administrative office. I hear what sounds like muffled yelling coming through the closed door. I stop and try to make out what’s being said – or rather screamed – but it’s difficult.

  The three of us stand eavesdropping outside the administrative office door, and it doesn’t take us long to realize it’s Vanessa doing the yelling. I open the office door, and we all file in, but the front office is empty. The yelling is coming through the closed door of Vanessa’s private, inner office. She sure is giving someone hell.

  “You idiot! How hard is it to follow instructions? I told you not to get friendly with her! I don’t want her here. I sure as hell don’t want her working here. What did you think you were doing?”

  “Vanessa, you’ve misjudged her. She’s really very nice. If you’d just get to know her – ”

  “That’s Erin!” I say.

  Lia glares at me. “Shh!”

  “Don’t tell me what to think, Erin. Just shut the fuck up and follow instructions, or I’ll find someone who can. Stop being buddy-buddy with her, or I’ll fire you.”

  “Vanessa, please – ”

  “Just do what I tell you. That’s all you need to worry about.”

  I’ve had enough. I really don’t care what Vanessa thinks of me, but she has no right to yell at employees like this, especially Erin, who wouldn’t hurt a fly. I won’t tolerate it. I march toward Vanessa’s door, Lia and Sam both on my heels, and push it wide open. Erin turns to look, and her face pales when she sees me.

  Vanessa’s face turns beet red. For a moment, I see a flash of what looks like panic in her eyes, but it’s gone just as quickly.

  “Do you mind?” she says to me, propping her hands on her hips. “This is a private conversation in a private office. You have no right to waltz in here – ”

  “Actually I do,” I say, fed up with her attitude. “I have every right, because this is my company. You’re the one who’s overstepped her bounds, Vanessa. You have no right to speak to an employee that way.” I glance at Erin, who has tears streaming down her cheeks. Then I glance back at Vanessa. My heart is pounding, and I swear I can hear the blood rushing in my head. I take a deep breath and try to rein in my anxiety before it spirals out of control. “Vanessa, your services are no longer needed here. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to let you go.”

  Her face turns an even deeper shade of red and her jaw drops. She looks incredulous. “You can’t fire me.”

  “I’m pretty sure she can,” Lia says, crossing her arms over her chest, as if daring Vanessa to contradict her. “And it’s long overdue, if you ask me.”

  Vanessa glares at Lia. “No one asked you, so butt out.” Then she looks at me. “If you fire me, I will sue you for wrongful termination so fast your head will spin. How would you like that?”

  I honestly don’t know if that’s an empty threat or not, because I’m not up to speed on Illinois employment laws – something else I need to brush up on. But I do know one thing – Vanessa needs to go. She’s a bully, and I don’t want her here.

  I feel a sense of calm settle over me because I know it’s the right decision. This is my store. The people who work here are my employees. I have a responsibility to see to their welfare. “Go ahead and sue me, Vanessa. I don’t care. I’ll give you three months of severance pay – which is more than generous – but I want you out of the building. Now.” I turn to Sam. “Please help Vanessa gather her personal belongings and escort her out of the building.”

  Sam grins. “Sure thing, boss. It would be my pleasure.”

  I look at Erin, who’s literally shaking in her stilettos. “Are you all right?”

  She nods, but she looks far from all right. Her bright blue eyes look huge in her face. She looks like she’s about to collapse. “Come with me, Erin. Let’s go down to the cafe and get something to drink.”

  “Damn, girl,” Lia says to me as she and I and Erin walk out of the office, leaving Sam to supervise Vanessa’s packing and departure. “That was downright impressive. I’m so proud of you. My protégé is growing up.”

  * * *

  I need to talk to Shane, soon, and tell him what’s happened. And I need to find out if Vanessa really can sue me for wrongful termination. But first, I need to deal with Erin. She’s a complete wreck.

  “But I can’t be the general manager!” Erin says, clutching a cup of mocha-caramel-something coffee with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Her eyes are wide with panic, and she stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.

  “Why not? Somebody has to take over for Vanessa. You’d be perfect. Everyone likes you.”

  “Beth, no! This is my first management job, and I’ve only worked here for six months. I don’t know how to run a business. You should do it. It’s your store. You be the general manager.”

  “Erin, that’s crazy. I’ve only been here a week. Your six months outrank my one week easily. Besides, I don’t know anything about running a retail store. At least you have retail experience.”

  Lia looks at me and shrugs. “Need I remind you that your boyfriend runs a billion-dollar company? If you need any help, Beth, just ask him.”

  “You’d be great, Beth,” Erin says, warming up to the idea. She reach
es across the table and grabs my hand. “You care about the people who work here. Vanessa didn’t. You’re a natural with customers – I watched you with them today. Honestly, I think you’d do an excellent job.”

  I want to be involved in running the business, but I never contemplated acting as the general manager. I have so much to learn – and I haven’t even started my MBA program yet. “I don’t know, Erin. I’ll have to think about it.”

  Mack Donovan comes up to our table and lays his hands on the back of my chair. “Sam filled me in. I can’t say I’ll lose any sleep over the departure of The Dragon Lady. It’s probably the best thing that’s happened here in ages. So, who’s the new general manager now?”

  I glance up at Mack, but don’t say anything. I’m not sure what to say.

  “I think you’re looking at her Mack,” Lia says, giving me a soft punch to the shoulder. “Beth is the new head honcho around here. How about we call her The Dragon Princess?”

  * * *

  After Sam escorts an irate Vanessa out of the store, I go back upstairs to her office – which is apparently now my office – and sit down at the desk to contemplate what I’ve gotten myself into. The office is a mess, with papers strewn everywhere, covering every flat surface as well as the floor. It looks like a tornado swept through here – a very angry tornado.

  I call Shane.

  “Hi, sweetheart,” he says. “How did work go today?”

  I take a deep breath and come clean. “Not very well. I fired Vanessa.”

  I can hear Shane chuckling over the phone. “Really?” He sounds almost... pleased. Certainly amused.

  “Yes, really. I had to. She was being awful to Erin.”

  “Good for you. Mack says she’s a real terror.”

  “Yeah, well, she threatened to sue me for wrongful termination. Can she do that? Am I in trouble?”