Page 81 of See You Maybe
Stuart didn’t wait for him to finish the question. “Without a doubt, Olivia. She works her ass off for this company. We wouldn’t even have XEROS if it weren’t for her.”
Declan didn’t like what he suspected was the man’s infatuation with Olivia, but the fervent defense of his girl saved Stuart’s job.
His girl. Fuck me. Pull yourself together.
When the door clicked shut behind the engineer, Declan drew in a deep breath. Kyle’s interview was next, and Declan would need to keep his composure. The man’s astonishing arrogance wouldn’t make it easy.
It was clear from the moment Kyle Armstrong sat down, he viewed the questions as perfunctory, believing his position at the company was safe.
Declan had decided it was best if Cecile conducted the majority of the interview, not trusting himself or his temper. Every time he thought about the look on Olivia’s face when this fucker grabbed for her, he wanted to destroy something. He sucked in another breath ignoring Cecile’s curious look.
Kyle’s answers were bland until Cecile began asking about the other executives.
Kyle shrugged. “Olivia is nothing special. I mean she’s nice enough, but forgettable if you know what I mean.” He sent a sly look at Declan that made the hair on the back of his neck lift and his pulse pick up. He had really hoped he’d get through this meeting without violence...
“You’re recently divorced, so perhaps that wasn’t a fair question,” Cecile said, making a note.
Kyle made a face. “Not that recently, and we were separated for a year before that. I’ve already moved on. She does an okay job, but her position is mainly because of her connection to me.”
Declan wanted to bury his fist in the man’s smug face. Repeatedly.
Cecile adopted a surprised expression. “Stuart Pruitt had excellent things to say about her.”
“That’s because he’s in love with her,” Kyle scoffed. “He’s been sniffing after her for years.”
Cecile’s face wrinkled with distaste, but Kyle didn’t seem to notice. Declan could feel his anger approach the boiling point. This asshole had been lucky enough to be her husband, to have the chance at a life with her…
Declan forced himself to relax the clenched fist on his thigh.
“Don’t get me wrong,” Kyle leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. “She’s not bad to look at, but she’s just,” he trailed off and gave Declan a leer. “You know what I mean. Nothing special.”
Cecile closed her notebook with an audible snap. “Okay, I think we’ve got everything we need.”
A haze of red had taken over Declan’s vision, and he was having to exert every ounce of self-control not to beat the man senseless.
Kyle slapped his palms down on the table and pushed his chair back. “Great. My dad mentioned you were going to buy out our shares. When do you think I’ll get that check?”
“You aren’t getting anything.”
Kyle’s face fell. “What? But my dad said…”
“I will be buying your father’s shares, but I don’t need yours.” Declan kept his tone even. “Your services are terminated. You have one hour to clear out any personal belongings from your office. I’ll be moving in this afternoon.”
Declan could feel Cecile’s surprise next to him, but she was too professional to show it.
“You can’t be serious.”
When Declan continued to stare at him in silence, Kyle’s face turned an unhealthy shade of red. “Is this about Livvy? Is it because I know the truth about you and her?”
Olivia had told him? Declan had two options. He could pay the fucker off, or he could kill him. He knew which option he preferred.
“I have no idea what you are referring to.” Declan’s voice was deathly cold.
But Kyle showed more spine than he expected. “Oh, come on. I get that it’s probably a little awkward to run into a vacation fling after so many years. But there are no hard feelings that you slept with my ex.” Kyle chuckled, but his eyes were hard. “But I imagine it will be difficult for you to keep her on, right? Optics and all that.”
So, that was his game. Kyle was out, and he wanted to make sure Olivia was too.
Declan could sense Cecile’s growing anger, but she wisely kept her mouth shut.