Page 33 of Ruthless Ambition
“Onyx, I—”
“I said sitdown, vampire, before I tie you to that fucking chair.”
Angel paled, and as she held my gaze, she slowly sat back down. She cast a look over to Neil, who had frozen in his seat. I watched as she smoothed her skirt down and her shoulders set as she swallowed, probably thinking I wouldn’t see her nerves. Which would be foolish of her.
“Now, I’m going to make this very easy for you, and if you choose to be difficult, then that’s your choice.”
“You want me to quit?”
“Shut up until I tell you that you can talk.”
Dark anger swirled in her eyes, and she wisely moved her attention to a point beyond me. How misguided that she was, to think I didn’t know all her tells.
“Look at me.”
“I am.”
“No, vampire, you’re looking at the tip of my ear. Did you forget who I am?”
Angel scoffed. “Like you makethatpossible.”
“I know all the same tricks as you do,” I reminded her. “In regard to the personal attack on my person this morning, I won’t tolerate it.”
“Fine, fire me.”
My lips twitched. “When I am finished speaking, then you can talk. Do not make me remind you again.” Looking her up and down, I leaned forward slightly in my chair, and I noticedher catch her breath. “Remember that we know each other, vampire, and you know I don’t bluff.”
Angel looked away from me and looked at the far wall. “I won’t interrupt until you are sick of hearing your own voice, and although you don’t give a shit about me, remember Neil doesn’t want to be stuck in here with you all morning either.”
“So fiery,” I complimented her. “So bold for someone sodesperateto be fired.”
“I—”
“Ah, ah, ah, what did I say?” I stood slowly. “Neil, leave us.”
“Onyx . . .”
“Now,” I commanded. “Shut the door tight on the way out.”
“I really don’t think—”
“I said now. I don’t pay you to think,” I snapped as I looked over at him. “Now.”
He hesitated still, and I cocked my head slightly to the side. He stood, and with one more uncertain look at Angel, he left.
“And then there were two,” I said to her with a smile. Standing, I crossed to the blinds and closed them. Checking she hadn’t moved, I then locked the boardroom door. “Now, that’s given us some more privacy.”
“Are you crazy?” Angel asked me as she watched me as I leaned against the door. “This has harassment suit all over it,” she told me with scorn.
“Why? Because you’re a woman?” I asked her as I approached her. “Or because every notable member of staff heard your verbal diatribe to me not five minutes ago?Orbecause I’ve already been in your bed, vampire?”
“You touch me, I will castrate you.”
My head tipped back as my laughter poured from me. “Touch you?Touchyou?” Pulling out the chair beside her, I sat down, making sure I wasn’t close enough to actually touch her,but I was still in her space. “I’ve already touched you, vampire, and I’m not eager for seconds, unless you’re offering? Again?”
Angel barely concealed her temper as she sat with her hands in tight fists in her lap. “Say your piece so I can go.”
“I’m not going to fire you,” I told her, and I saw her try to hide her surprise. “And if you quit, I don’t accept it.”
