The words were loud and commanding, and they left no room for further argument. So loud in fact, that the head contractor Edward started over in our direction.
Ryan stared at the man a moment longer, almost as if daring him to get up. When he didn’t, he turned toward me. “Sammara, get back in the house.”
I hesitated. Part of me wanted to obey immediately. But the other part…
“Wait…” I was at a complete loss. Truthfully I had no clue what to say. “I was… I mean he was just…”
“I said get back in the house,” Ryan reiterated, this time through clenched teeth. Then he added: “Please.”
His eyes were hard. His gaze, almos
t withering. Edward was nearly upon us now, and I was feeling inexplicably humiliated.
Moving mechanically, I turned and left.
Once inside the house I realized I was actually shaking. After regaining my breath, I ran to the kitchen and turned on the sink. I splashed cold water all over my face and neck. Then I took a long moment to calm myself down.
Did that really just happen?
It scrubbed at my hands nervously. Washed my face for a second time.
“You alright?”
I whirled and there was Ryan, standing in the kitchen doorway. He looked completely calm, totally at ease.
“You broke his wrist!” I cried. “I heard it snap!”
“So?’
“So you can’t just do that! It’s… it’s not right!”
Ryan remained impassive. Totally expressionless. “That man touched you.”
“So what?”
“So?” he repeated. “SO? NO man should touch you, Sammara. Not ever. Not unless you allow it.” He looked down at me sternly. “At what point in your life did you think that could possibly be okay?”
He had a point, but not a good point. Not a valid one anyway.
“Yeah, alright,” I breathed. “But still… you didn’t have to break his—”
“No?” Ryan jumped in harshly. “And what should I have done? Given him a stern warning?” He shook his head and pointed. “No, now he’s learned something. Next time he’ll think twice before groping someone. That man’s wrist will heal. But in doing this, I saved some other poor girl from getting grabbed.”
I heard the sound of voices. Of tools being hastily loaded. Somewhere beyond that, I could hear trucks being started up.
“I saw Edward running over,” I said, “to see what happened. What did you say to him?”
“I fired him.”
My eyes went as wide as the moon. “You did WHAT?”
“Chain of command,” Ryan said simply. “You’re always responsible for those beneath you. This guy hired someone who touches women. Therefore, his judgment can’t be trusted.”
I was in an absolute panic. “But… but he’s the best contractor around!”
“You’ll find another.”
The panic left me all at once. Anger flooded in to take its place.