30. Karma with a KO
CHAPTER 30
KARMA WITH A KO
CHARLIE
A nother day, another crisis. Maybe I should find a desk for Drue upstairs so that I don’t have to travel so far every time he has a problem.
Few people would guess where I’ve come from. I’ve made sure of it. Not because of shame, not because I give a greasy rat’s ass about what some suit thinks of me, but because I’m more than a made-up birth certificate and a history of juvenile delinquency.
Being underestimated isn’t new.
But I used it to my advantage. Got under people’s skin, never backed down from a fight, worked my ass off so they never had anything to use against me. It wasn’t easy, but I fucking did it. Spent junior year waking up every morning at the ball sack of dawn, mowing the lawns of the monstrous houses on the hill while they were still shrouded in mist.
I hated a lot of my guardians, but Jude and Dana are good people. Better than most. Then, Reese arrived. There was no way I was going to spit in the face of that.
So I stayed. Said yes when they wanted to make it official. And planned to make a better life for myself.
I started by taking notes on how the assholes of the world did things.
Lessons in the shape of other kids’ fists with the scars to match. I taught a number of those classes myself. They’re probably the only tests I ever passed with flying colors.
Eventually, I learned to beat them using their own tricks.
With words.
It turned out a bit of charm went a long way. And a turned-out three-piece doesn’t hurt.
Now look where I am. Earning more in a year than my parents combined and in line for a promotion—all before my thirtieth birthday.
I’m steps away from Drue’s desk when a strong hand comes down on my shoulder.
“Charlie, just the man I’m looking for. I hear I have you to thank for a six-figure saving on this year’s budget. Excellent job on the automation idea.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
Of all people, chief operations officer Greg Bailey has found me. Behind him, Drue mouths sorry . Fuck. So this is the real reason I was summoned.
“It’s this sort of proactive thinking that makes you a shoo-in for management. You can be sure I’ll be having a word to Emmanuel about this.”
My gut sinks like a lead shoe. He’s giving me the win, if I want it. The golden ticket, the parking space, all of it, just like Roberts said. But I can’t take it like this.
Brilliant, frustrating, gorgeous Emma is so far beyond my league, I shouldn’t even be allowed in the building. In the same area code. Not only did her tip about the damn bot work out, but her whole idea has landed me another fucking commendation from the COO.
One I didn’t even earn.
Karma sure has a twisted sense of humor.
“While I’d love to take the credit, you’ll need to thank Emma Conway, as it was her idea.”
He raises a brow. “Well, it’s about time Digital made a positive change.”
A few months ago, I would have agreed with him. And I would have been just as wrong. It shouldn’t have taken me this long to open my eyes. Shouldn’t have taken being forced to work with Emma and not against her to realize how badly I fucked up before.
“Actually, sir, you’ll find she’s responsible for a lot of good around here.”