Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 307(@200wpm)___ 246(@250wpm)___ 205(@300wpm)
“You want hard data? Listen to this: not a single female broker makes an equivalent salary to her male counterparts here, even after adjusting the data to account for different experience levels and client loads.”
I frown. “That…can’t be right. That’s not how our compensation package works. It’s a merit-based system that rewards high performers with commissions and bonuses.”
“What about the workers who are never given the chance to prove their merit? The ones who are passed over for the plum accounts, or given fewer opportunities for continuing education? And look at your hiring practices.” Ellie glances back at her notes, dragging her slim finger down the page. “Four out of five management positions in the last two years have gone to men. A lot of well-qualified female candidates weren’t even granted interviews.”
I consider her words, embarrassed that I can’t explain away any of this. “I had no idea. I mean, I should have. It just never occurred to me to check.”
She shrugs. “Welcome to the seedy underbelly of the patriarchy.”
“I don’t—”
We’re interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by Hannah peeking her head in. “Sorry for the intrusion, but you have a meeting in Conference B in five minutes.”
“Thanks, Hannah. I’ll be right there.”
“Great.” Hannah smiles. “I’ve prepped your notes—they’re out here on my desk. Would you like a coffee or anything?”
I open my mouth to take her up on the offer, but a bolt of guilt lances my gut.
Is Hannah compensated fairly? Am I doing enough to ensure she has access to the same advancement opportunities as her male peers? Have I ever said or done anything to make her feel insignificant or undervalued?
“No thanks,” I tell her. “I’m good. Oh, and Hannah? You’re doing an excellent job. We should set up a time next week to talk about your goals.”
“My…goals?” Hannah scrunches up her nose with a laugh. “As in, life goals? Dinner goals? Squad goals?”
“Just…put something on the calendar.”
She nods, sobering as she realizes I’m serious. “Sure thing.”
After she ducks out, I turn back to Ellie. “How did you find out about all of this?”
“S and H keeps records of applications and interviews, as well as salary data.”
My eyes widen. “You hacked into the HR databases?”
“Me? A hacker?” Ellie scoffs. “Now, my friend Gregory in college? That guy could hack his way into the NSA. I’m lucky if I can remember my bank card pin.”
“So how do you know about the hiring data?”
She shrugs. “I made a few friends in a few strategic places.”
I glance at my watch. “In the five hours you’ve been here?”
“This isn’t amateur night, Jack,” she says, sitting up straighter. “It’s my job as a journalist to suss out the facts, and in case you and my brother—and my father, since we’re naming names—haven’t noticed, I’m good at it.”
“I don’t doubt your ability to get the scoop,” I assure her as I rise from my chair to head out for my meeting.
“Then what’s the issue?” She stands, too, folding her arms and cocking out a hip, proving my point.
She’s intelligent, passionate, and completely capable.
But she’s not a dude.
“Your cover is the issue,” I say. “This assignment is going to take more digging than either of us anticipated. You’ll be in this office every day for weeks—maybe longer. And each day is another opportunity for someone to figure out Eric isn’t what he seems to be. If that happens, we’re both screwed. And let’s not even talk about what Ryan would do.”
“I don’t like keeping him in the dark any more than you do,” Ellie says softly, placing a hand on my forearm. “But he’s not here. We need to move on this. And I need to stay undercover.”
“That’s why we need to strategize. Maybe over dinner tonight?”
“I have a date tonight. But Saturday and Sunday are open.”
“A date?” Jealousy flares inside my chest. It can’t be a guy from the office—at least not one who knows her as Eric. Did someone on my staff ask her out last week, when she was still wearing skirts and earrings and that sweet, all-too-innocent smile? “Anyone I know?”
Please don’t be Rictor. Please don’t be Rictor…
“I’m not sure this conversation is workplace appropriate.” Ellie smiles, lighting me up from the inside, despite the raging Jealousy Beast clawing through my gut. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
“So, you’re free tomorrow morning, ten o’clock?”
Ellie narrows her eyes. “What are you plotting, Holt?”
“That’s Professor Holt to you. Welcome to Dude 101,” I say with a smile, finally regaining some of the control I’ve lost in the last day. Agreeing to her methods may have been a mistake, but I’m not going back on my word. We’re partners in crime now, and I need to make damned sure she’s got what it takes to pass as a man.