Dark Ties (Made Men 9)

Haley gave a low sigh. Putting the donuts, insults, and even how many people were on his team aside, there was only one option. Loyalty.

“I’m sorry. I can’t help you out. I’ve already told Mr. Beck my work would be completed by Friday. I suggest if you have an issue with your assignment, you discuss it with Mr. Beck and not me.”

From the way Zach angrily glowered at her, Haley didn’t see any donuts in her future if she continued to work for Mr. Beck. Not unless they contained rat poison.

Giving him a challenging chin lift, she knocked his hand from the close button, allowing the elevator door to slide open.

As she stepped out, Haley heard Zach mutter, “Fat bitch,” behind her back.

Shocked, she stopped and turned her head. Then she went to the elevator door, preventing it from closing and blocking Zach’s exit.

“Did I just hear you call me a fat bitch?” she asked calmly.

“What if I did? Are you going to report me?” Sneering at her, Zach’s face went from handsome to ugly.

“No, I don’t report personal opinions of my fellow coworkers,” she stated, her voice taking on a distinct chill. “I don’t place that much importance on them, as they aren’t the ones who are responsible for my income, but I do appreciate you showing me your true feelings. I’ll make sure never to find myself alone in an elevator, or the office, with you again. Ever. I’ll leave it to you to explain to Mr. Beck why I no longer feel safe in your presence. Have a good evening, Zach.”

She wasn’t afraid of the expression that came over Zach’s face, but she did take a step backward to allow the elevator door to close. Zach stepped forward at the same time, blocking the door from closing.

Haley was smart enough not to turn her back on the furious man as she brought her hand to her suit jacket pocket and the cell phone within. At the same time, a movement at her side had both her and Zach turning to see Mr. Beck had stepped out of the other elevator and had overheard the confrontation between her and Zach.

Zach paled. “Mr. Beck, I can explain …”

Mr. Beck flickered his eyes toward her. “No explanations are necessary, Zachary. When you come in, in the morning, clear out your desk. Lucas will have your severance package ready for you.”

“Mr. Beck …”

Haley didn’t want Zach fired for calling her a fat bitch. She could practically hear the employees in the breakroom discussing the reason for the popular man’s dismissal.

Before she could get another word out, though, Mr. Beck took her arm, propelling her away from the elevators and Zach.

“You can’t be serious, Desmond! I’ve worked for you for the last ten years!” Zach shouted at their backs as they walked toward the main entrance.

“Sir, Zach and I were having a disagreement, and you only heard the tail end. Disagreements happen from time to time when people are on a deadline. I’m sure Zach regrets his loss of temper.”

Mr. Beck didn’t break stride, ushering her through the main door. Haley could tell from his expression that nothing she could say or do would save Zach’s job.

“Where’s your car?”

Looking at the cars in front of the building, Haley pointed to one not far from where they were standing. “My Uber is there.” Her eyes went back and forth between Mr. Beck and Zach as she tried one more attempt to save the man’s job. “Mr. Be—”

“Good evening, Haley,” he brusquely cut off her attempt to defend Zach. The authoritative warning was clear in his voice. If she continued, Zach wouldn’t be the only one to lose their job tonight.

She loved this job. The pay was fantastic for the amount of work she actually had to do each month. She wasn’t about to screw herself out of a job she loved for a man who believed she didn’t deserve a donut. Hell, they weren’t even specialty donuts; they were the chain ones that tasted stale … or they had been the few times she had sneaked one out of the breakroom.

“Good evening, sir.”

Catching sight of Zach behind Mr. Beck, she decided it would be better to leave the two men alone, to give Zach the opportunity to defend himself without her presence.

Haley felt the imaginary dagger buried in her back as she walked to her Uber. She planned to call in the morning and take the morning off. There was no way she wanted to be in the office while Zach was picking up his things.

No sooner had the thought occurred than she squashed it.

Haley wasn’t going to give Zach the satisfaction that she had taken off to avoid a confrontation with him. Her butt would be sitting at her desk at the same time it always was.