Chapter 63
sixty-three
I hold my head high on the walk to Mr. Stryker’s office.
I know why Beth came to collect me. I knew the second I walked onto the executive floor and saw Dominic’s chair sitting empty.
He didn’t get what he wanted last night—so he’d made good on his threat.
Smoothing my palms over my plain black dress does nothing to help how clammy they are. I swallow the lump of dread in my gullet and toss my hair back, bracing for the sight of Dominic when we round the corner to the office.
It’s just Mr. Stryker, though.
And Marco.
Instead of his usual place beside the door and his typical bodyguard stance, my cousin is on Grayson’s dove-gray couch, his black-clad body bent over his knees and his fingers pressing into his forehead. When I walk in, his head snaps up, revealing furious brown eyes.
Marco’s jaw ticks but he says nothing. Deferring to Mr. Stryker, who sighs from his desk chair and waves at the seat opposite him. “Miss Rivera. Have a seat.”
I can’t quite hide the way my legs quiver as I lower myself into the supple leather Eames chair. Grayson’s green gaze tracks the motion, his scowl twitching slightly.
I wince, remembering the video footage he’s likely seen in all its horror. What he must think of me now…
I’m ready for disgust, but instead, his tone softens mildly. “Do you know why you’re here?”
I nod once. “Yes,” I rasp. “Domin—I mean, Mr. Carter.”
Mr. Stryker’s thick brows draw together. “No, actually. Graham Everett.”
Blinking in confusion, I stammer, “W-what?”
Grayson sits back with a huff. “Graham called me last night and told me.” His eyes flash meaningfully. “Everything.”
My mouth drops open as he goes on. “That he came onto you his first day in the office and continued to do so until you agreed to see him after your work for Stryker Grayson’s expression is thunderous while Marco swipes my screen to send himself a copy and then stands abruptly. “Along with all the dates from his computer, this is enough to prosecute him,” he says. “I’m calling my NYPD contact.”
Grayson stands, too. “I’ll inform HR. He’ll be terminated immediately.”
Marco breezes out as I struggle to my feet, my mouth hanging open. “ He’ll be terminated?”
Mr. Stryker takes a moment to examine my expression. “Graham explained everything,” he finally replies. “The fact that he went for my employee after I told him not to is between him and me. You waited until your Stryker & Sons business with him was concluded to move your relationship forward. And whatever… misconduct occurred in Dominic’s office happened after hours.”
Stupidly, I start to argue, “But our policy covers fraternization after hours.”
Grayson gives me a meaningful quit-while-you’re-ahead look. “Does it?” he asks innocently, then shrugs. “In that case, it’s a shame I’m firing my head of legal. He’s probably the only person aside from you who has the policy memorized…”
He’s giving me an out. Letting me off the hook.
I catch the hard edge to his gaze as he meets my eye one last time, “But none of this should be an issue. Because I plan to ensure that the video doesn’t come to light. I suspect Graham will have a lot to say to you, though. He’s on his way here now.”