Page 2 of The Scrooge Effect

“Guys, come on. I was just about to get to the good stuff!” Lock snapped.

“Right, about paper towel deliveries. Tell me again how that constitutes an emergency?” Brock asked.

“It’s an emergency because the last time you couldn’t find what you needed because the paper towels weren’t put in the right spot, you blew up the building!” Lock retorted.

“Right, well…Give me another good reason.”

Cash stood, finally taking control of the meeting. “Alright, I’m sure you all have work to do. Lock, nice job on this information. I’m sure everyone will pay due diligence in future. And make sure you take these home and read through them.”

“Yeah, burn ‘em,” I muttered under my breath.

“Meeting dismissed!”

I was up in an instant, ready to get the hell out of Dodge. My ass hurt from sitting for over a damn hour in the uncomfortable chairs. But I never made my escape. Cash blocked the exit, grinning at me in that way that let me know I was not getting away so easily.

“Care to join me in my office?”

“Uh…is that a rhetorical question?”

“Upstairs. Now.”

Fuck, I really didn’t like that tone. “I don’t suppose you need someone else. Maybe Scottie Dog or Slider?”

“Just you for now.”

“Great,” I muttered, trailing along down the hall behind him like a kicked puppy. I wanted to get out of here and head home. It was three weeks until Christmas, and there was still so much Harper wanted me to do around the house. Apparently, Christmas was the best time of the year, and we all had to sing songs and drink eggnog all the time.

Cash hit the button for the elevator and crossed his arms over his chest, staring at the lights like they would give him the answers to the universe.

“So, uh, what’s this about?”

“You’ll find out.”

Fuck, I hated when he said shit like that.

“Hey, boss!” Rae called out, running toward us. “I have something to show you.”

“Can it wait?”

“It involves Fox.”

I chuckled under my breath. If this involved Fox, there was no way this little meeting would be taking place anytime soon.

“Yeah, alright. Wait here,” Cash ordered. “I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” I said mockingly, knowing this was going to take way longer than he anticipated. It always did when Fox was involved.

Instead of sticking around, I headed down to the training center, figuring that if I hid out there for a while, no one would bug me. I was all suited up and ready to get in the ring when Cash came over the intercom.

“Edu, please report to my office.”

“Yeah, right after this,” I snorted.

“Now.”

“Geez, give me a fucking break,” I muttered.

“Watch your language. Your kids are in my office.”