Chapter 15
Margo had been terminated the week before and given a payoff generous enough to make a scene unnecessary. If she wanted to be difficult, he had a neat list of her screw-ups ready to hand to any prospective employer. But Dorian didn't like messes – he preferred problems handled cleanly.
She was called into his office that morning.
"You'll be packing up and leaving now," he said, voice like glass. "Turn in your ID."
Margo stood framed in the doorway in a scarlet sheath dress – stunning, yes, but more suited to a nightclub than an office. Her lipstick matched the dress, her hair a deliberate mess, her heels too high to be practical.
He didn't even look up.
Her expression faltered, as if she'd expected him to reconsider. "May I know why? I thought-"
"You thought," he cut in, "just because I let you play your little game, the lipstick, the smudges, the buttons, that we could eventually come to an understanding."
He didn't blink. "What I told you on the first day stands. You hold the same interest to me as toilet water. No-more. All of it was a smokescreen."
Her mouth tightened. "You are an arsehole."
"Yes, I am," he said evenly. "That was your free pass. Another word out of you, and you won't work in this city again."
She huffed and walked out, heels clicking across the polished floor.
Dorian buzzed the intercom. "Tom, bring the car around."
Minutes later, he slid into the front passenger seat for a change. Eli who was behind the wheel, shot him a surprised look.
"Where to, boss?"
"Just drive."
They rolled through the city in silence, the skyline shrinking in the mirrors as they hit the motorway. After a while, Dorian said, "Stop here."
It was a small, almost deserted service station, its faded board advertising Costa coffee and farm-grown produce.
Eli stepped out first, but Dorian was already out before he could open his door. Minutes later, both of them were leaning against the bonnet, the cool morning air curling around them.
"Do you smoke?" Dorian asked.
"Used to. Not anymore. My little girl doesn't like it."
"Yeah. I wish I did."
The quiet stretched.
"Have you been sleeping with Rune?"
Eli gave him an incredulous look, then laughed once, short and disbelieving. "Really? That’s what ya wanna ask me?"
"That is not an answer to my question."
"I'm just surprised you even asked it."
"Did you get her pregnant?"
Eli moved to stand in front of him, searching his face. "You're jealous," he said, the same incredulous note in his voice as a smile crossed his face.
Dorian punched him.
"Hey!" Eli staggered, holding his jaw.
"Was it you?" Dorian asked again, his voice as flat as the grey tarmac beneath their feet.
"No, you idiot, Jaysus. No. I've never had sex with her. And I haven't made her pregnant."
Eli didn't back off after the punch. He straightened, jaw tight, but his stance stayed planted.
Dorian was muttering, more to himself than anyone else. "Then who? Finn? There are so many ways she could have... she betrayed me."
"I can’t believe I am saying this to you, lad, but let’s look at this logically. Why do you think it's not yours?" Eli asked, his voice steady.
Dorian's eyes cut to him, but he didn't answer.
Eli met his eyes. "If you noticed the way Rune looks at you even once, you wouldn't ask that question. Even when you're the worst mofo in the room, she still looks at you like that. No one else. So, I'll ask again, why do you think she betrayed you?"
Doran remained silent. "I wish I smoked." he muttered.
"If she had shown any interest," Eli snapped, "I would have been mighty keen."
That set Dorian off again, shoulders tight, fists clenching to throw the next punch.
"Hey, enough," Eli said sharply. "It didn't happen, you moody tosser.
And I don't think she's been with anyone else.
When would she have had the time? She slaved all week and went home to sleep.
Who has the energy for anything else? And you took her everywhere – weekends, evenings.
You kept her on an extremely short leash, you did. "
"It's not mine," Dorian said stubbornly.
"Why?"
"Because I had a vasectomy when I turned twenty-three. I don't want children."
Eli went silent for a beat. "You idiot."
Dorian's jaw flexed.
"I think you need to go wank off into a test tube and get that checked," Eli said flatly. "I'd be very surprised if your swimmers haven't done a jailbreak."
"I can't believe we're having this conversation."
"Well, I think you need to make an appointment with your GP, just to be sure."