Chapter 24 I’ve Never Lost a Fight
Derek was nearly six feet tall and solidly built. He put his weight behind the punch.
The watching employees flinched. Ryan had finally pushed him too far.
Derek’s fist stopped inches from Ryan’s face.
Ryan had caught his wrist.
For a moment, Derek couldn’t understand what had happened. He pulled back hard.
Nothing moved.
The grip around his wrist felt like a steel clamp.
He looked up and met Ryan’s eyes. They were cold, with just a trace of amusement.
He’d picked the wrong man.
Pain shot through his wrist, sharp enough to buckle his knees. Then it was gone. Ryan released him and shoved him aside with an almost casual movement.
Derek stumbled and landed hard on the floor.
“Don’t embarrass yourself,” Ryan said. “Fighting is one thing I’m good at.”
He walked to his desk, sat down, and switched on his computer.
Derek scrambled up, red-faced. He grabbed a folder and hurried away.
At the next desk, Tyler discreetly raised a thumb.
“That was impressive. I thought you were about to get hurt.”
“I lose at some things,” Ryan said. “Not fights.”
“Good thing you didn’t hit him. Brian would have taken his side.”
“I know. Anywhere else, he’d have a broken hand.”
Tyler winced.
“Be careful. They’re looking for a reason to fire you.”
“A few days earlier, a few days later. What difference does it make?”
Tyler hesitated.
“I know some of the customers on your list. I could go with you. Maybe we can get somewhere.”
Ryan turned to him, surprised.
“Why help me?”
“Because you did what I’ve wanted to do for ages.” Tyler lowered his voice. “I’d like you to stay.”
“He’s pushed you around, too?”
“Everyone. He’s been here longer, and Brian likes him, so he thinks he can order us about. He’s taken credit for our deals, too.”
Tyler looked down.
“But when you need the money, you put up with it.”
Ryan nodded. There was no reason to judge him for that.
“Show me the accounts sometime. Drinks are on me.”
The job itself meant little to Ryan, but being driven out by Brian would give Grace something to laugh about.
And he represented his mentor. He could hardly let a petty office dispute make him look useless in front of Henry.
If Tyler could give him an opening, he might as well try.
“Deal,” Tyler said.
“Won’t they make your life harder for helping me?”
“Probably.” Tyler smiled. “But watching you stand up to them got me thinking. It’s a sales job. If the worst happens, I can look for another.”
Ryan chuckled.
“Then we have a plan.”
He took it easy for the rest of the afternoon.
After work, he was looking for a cab when Grace’s white SUV came through the gates. It slowed as it passed him, then continued down the road.
She’d seen him.
He didn’t blame her for driving on. Employees were still leaving the building. Picking him up outside the office would invite questions.
Pretend spouses at home. Strangers at work.
His phone rang.
Grace.
“I saw you,” she said.
“I noticed.”
“I couldn’t stop at the entrance. Walk down the road. I’ll wait.”
He was pleasantly surprised. Beneath the icy manner, she wasn’t unkind.
“Don’t worry about it. Someone could still see us. Go ahead. I’ll take a cab.”
She was silent for a few seconds.
“Suit yourself.”
The call ended.
Was she angry? Perhaps she was embarrassed that he’d declined. He’d only meant to make things easier for her.
He wasn’t even asking her to cover the fare.
When he reached the house, Grace had changed into comfortable clothes. She sat cross-legged on the couch with a tablet, reading work documents.
He had to admit she looked good no matter what she wore.
Henry smiled at him.
“Why didn’t you come home with Grace?”