Chapter 12 Damn Right, I Have Connections
Ryan paused.
Had she actually asked instead of ordered?
“Sure. I’ll stick to the shower.”
Grace relaxed. She wasn’t especially fussy about cleanliness, but the idea of a man lying in her bathtub made her uncomfortable.
Especially this man. Who knew what he might think about while he was in there—or what he might do?
Ryan, unaware of the accusations forming in her head, spoke again.
“We made an agreement. I’ll keep my word. This is your home, and I’ll respect your space.”
She murmured an acknowledgment.
“About work. Grandpa wants me to give you an executive position, but that would attract attention and cause problems. We aren’t a real couple, so I don’t intend to do it. Any objections?”
“None. Your call.”
“What department would you prefer?”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m leaving in three months. Somewhere quiet where I can take it easy would be ideal.”
“The company doesn’t pay people to do nothing,” she snapped. “How about Security?”
“A veteran working security? Seems like a good fit. Fine by me.”
That left her momentarily speechless. She’d suggested it out of irritation, expecting him to protest.
No ambition whatsoever.
She added that to her growing list of complaints about him.
Still, she couldn’t actually make him a security guard. Her grandfather would be furious.
“Sales,” she decided. “You can learn on the job, and there’s less direct supervision. That should suit you.”
“Sounds good.”
His willingness to go along with her eased some of her tension. He could be reasonable, at least.
A pity he also went around looking down women’s tops.
By the next morning, Ryan’s career in Sales was underway.
“Ryan, print these.”
“The water cooler’s empty. Change the bottle.”
“Take these reports to Accounting.”
At midday, he finally sat down long enough to message Grace.
What’s going on in Sales? Why does it feel like everyone’s targeting me?
Her answer came quickly.
Forgot to mention it. Douglas Reed, the head of Sales, supports the Whitakers. They’re our second-largest shareholders and my family’s main rivals. I asked HR to hire you, so they probably assume you’re on my side.
Ryan rolled his eyes.
That explained why Brian Foster, the leader of Sales Team Eight, and one of his senior employees had spent the morning treating Ryan like an errand boy.
He’d walked into the middle of a feud.
You set me up, he replied.
You can quit if you can’t handle it. But you’ll have to explain that to Grandpa yourself.
Couldn’t handle it?
Please. What leverage did they have? He didn’t care about the job.
That afternoon, Derek Collins—the senior employee who’d been ordering him around—dropped several folders onto his desk.
“Enter these reports into the system.”
Ryan was leaning back, legs crossed, looking at his phone.
“Busy.”
Derek stared. The new guy had done everything he was told all morning. What had changed?
His face hardened.
“You don’t know how things work yet. These tasks will help you learn.”
“I’m good.”
“They need to be entered by the end of the day. If they aren’t, you’ll answer for it.”
Ryan lifted his phone.
“Terrifying. Maybe I should call Ms. Morgan and ask why you need a personal assistant to do your job.”
He paused.
“And whether I get your salary if I’m doing your work.”
Derek’s expression changed.
“You know Ms. Morgan?”
Ryan sat up, his gaze turning cold.
“You’ve been on my back because she got me hired. What do you think?”
Sweat prickled at Derek’s forehead. He gathered the folders and forced a smile.
“It’s a misunderstanding. I was only trying to help you learn. If you’d rather not, that’s fine. I’ll take care of it.”
Ryan watched him retreat.
Yes, he had connections. If Derek had a problem with that, he could take it up with Grace.
And if he didn’t have the nerve, he could leave Ryan alone.
Derek slipped into Brian’s office. A little later, the team leader emerged carrying a folder, his face grim.
“Since you’ve declined Derek’s help, I assume you already know what you’re doing. I won’t expect a new hire to build an entirely new market.”
He held out the folder.
“Product specifications for the medical equipment we sell, and a list of existing contacts. Start with those.”
His voice sharpened.
“Close one sale by the end of the month and you’ll pass probation. Otherwise, you’re out. This team needs salespeople, not dead weight collecting a salary.”
So that was his next move.
Ryan glanced at the folder.
“Sure. Leave it there.”
Brian’s face darkened.
“Watch your attitude. I’m assigning you work!”