Total pages in book: 131
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
“Billy, this is the lady you warned Bannon about. Really, I should have been warning you about her. Now, before you ask, don’t worry about how I got that information, but people talk… especially Albanian security guards that can be bought because their own boss is tightfisted, insane, and abusive. One thing I’ve learned is that there’s no such thing as loyalty in this dog-eat-dog world we run. Just monsters and misfits. One thing you never want me to be though is your adversary. You’re terminated, Billy. Not just from your job, but from life.”
“Archer, please! We’ve got so much history! I’m your brother.” Sweat ran down the man’s face. “Not once have I stabbed you in the back! Not once have I not stepped up to the plate to help you! The one time I mess up is because of shit you’ve done, man! This is my one and only indiscretion! I deserve credit at least for that!”
“What you deserve is a bullet in your fucking head.” Archer sucked his teeth. “If you’d just walked away, not went to Bannon, and cut your losses, I would have let you live. But no, you went to my worst enemy. The guy who has tried several times to have me killed. Got my sister behind bars. Felt up my lady during an examination. And now he’s gotten my once-upon-a-time best friend to snitch on his own brother. I loved you, man. Like a blood brother. I would have done almost anything for you. There’s no coming back from this. I could have just waited and let Bannon have you, but he doesn’t deserve the satisfaction. It’s over.”
“No… No!!! WAIT! Uhhhhh….” An arrow pierced the man’s chest. Blood oozed out of his mouth and he slumped over. He was still breathing, his eyes rolling, his limbs limp.
“Finish him off.” Archer looked at the piece of shit for a few more seconds before approaching his sister with a smile and patted her shoulder. Then, he walked away. As he journeyed down the man’s hallway with his glass of whiskey in hand, he heard the pop of a gun. Three shots. That was tailed by Irish’s faint giggle, followed by a low cackle. She was having a good ol’ time.
Irish had a new job, after all. She was now his right hand, and head of security, in more ways than one.
Welcome aboard, little sis. Blood is thicker than whiskey…
…One Week later
Honey’s eyes met Teresa’s. The conference room looked exactly the same. Smelled the same. Felt the same. But her? She was a totally different woman. A different breed from the lady she’d been when she was shipped off to Colorado like some virus in a Petri dish that needed testing in a lab. Highly contagious. She picked a piece of lint off her cream pant suit. She felt pretty, and good about herself. She’d dabbed on just the right amount of Oud Ispahan Christian Dior. She wore a pair of small diamond stud earrings, and a rich matte burgundy lipstick.
Mr. Michael Silver entered the room dressed in a black suit and dark red tie, joining her and the copy editor, illustrator, editor-in-chief, and art director. Everyone had their own glasses of water before them, some with slices of lime. Mr. Silver sat down at the head of the table while the sunlight pierced the clouds, entering the room and tracing shadows and beams of light upon each and every person.
“Honey Brooks, it’s good to see you,” he began, avoiding eye contact with her as he got situated.
She offered a slight nod.
“As a recap, everyone, Ms. Brooks is here to obtain an update regarding her probationary period. She had received disciplinary action five and a half months ago and was placed on probation by her supervisor, Teresa Hadlock—ordered to vacate her desk and the premises until full examination and review of her case. This probationary period was administered based on a series of incidents which were deemed improper and unprofessional over the course of Ms. Brooks’ career here, thus putting the company reputation on the line. These incidents went against explicit orders and directions she was given regarding her assignments.” He turned the page of the report and continued. “Honey was given three months for the committee to conduct a full investigation, which was further extended due to a project she was working on after she was asked to service several vendors and company owners in the Denver, Colorado location, per my request. Hence, Honey received her regular salary and no cut or delay in her healthcare benefits.”
She cleared her throat, leaned forward, and took a sip of her water, then rested back in her chair, crossing her legs.
“Honey demonstrated professionalism, proficiency, and honorable customer service in all tasks she was assigned while in Denver, as well as accolades from the clients and customers she assisted. She also took on additional assignments, such as working with companies on producing custom website photos, which aided in her experience and breadth of knowledge. After much deliberation, we’ve voted, seven to one, in favor of Honey Brooks being reinstated to her prior position of chief photojournalist, under the proposed conditions: 1. Honey Brooks’ office will remain the office of current photographer, Denise Krage, which was occupied during her absence. Honey will conduct her work duties from one of the cubicles until further notice.”