Just One Night, Part 2_ Exposed(33)

I look down at my desk, squirm slightly in my seat, then curse myself for doing it. I don’t want to be reminded of that torture.

“Is the Maned Wolf report ready?” Tom asks.

I look back up at him, surprised. This is not the line of questioning I expected.

“I’ve just sent a final draft to my team and to you, and in an hour the team and I will have one more meeting to decide which parts of the plan will be presented by whom.”

“Is that what he wants?”

“Who?” I ask, confused. “Rob—I mean, Mr. Dade? Of course that’s what he wants. It’s what he hired us for.”

Tom raises his eyebrow. The question he doesn’t have to ask echoes in my ears. Is it what he hired us for? Or was it so he could claim you?

The silent question leads me to memories of harsher, spoken statements.

Prostitutes have sex for profit.

Asha’s words. I close my eyes and try to force them from my head. I didn’t even know who he was when I met him. My actions were wrong but my motives had been physical, emotional, never monetary.

“Does he want the entire team to present the report or just you?”

I open my eyes. “I thought we were going to pretend that you don’t know about . . . about my relationship with Mr. Dade.”

“Yes, well I thought about that, and if he asks me to pretend, then that’s exactly what I’ll do because, after all, this is all about what he wants.”

“Are you mocking me?”

Tom cocks his head to the side; he hadn’t expected the question. “Why would I mock you? I like you and I respect you, although my definition of ‘respect’ might be different from yours. I’d respect a drug dealer if he did his job well.”

“You have no morals.”

He effortlessly shrugs off the accusation. “Look, Robert is the biggest client we have. I want as many Maned Wolf projects—and as much Maned Wolf money—as our division can handle. I know that I need you for that but I also need you to keep him happy.”

“Are you seriously suggesting that I have to fuck him?” I snap, the profanity coming to my lips a little too easily.

He chuckles. “Of course not. That would be . . . what’s the word you like to use?” He snaps his fingers a few times as if trying to remember. “Ah yes, immoral. No, I’m not saying you have to fuck him. I’m saying you have to keep fucking him.”

“You’re out of line.”

“What are you talking about?” He shakes his head; his smile wavers. “I’m only asking you to do what you want to do.”

“And I’ll do what I want to do,” I say simply. “But you have no right to expect it of me.”

“Seriously?” He leans forward. I hear my cell ringing in my purse but ignore it. “Tell me, Kasie, do you enjoy your job?”

I don’t respond. He knows the answer well enough.

“Do you think it’s fair that I expect you to do your job?”

“That’s different,” I say, seeing the trap.

“Is it?” His posture is relaxed; he’s sure of his footing. “You enjoy your work and I expect you to do it. You enjoy fucking your client? I expect you to keep that up, too. And yes, there may be aspects of your job and your affair that you think are beneath you. Tasks that you find demeaning. It’s the nature of the beast. Work through it.”

There’s a shift in the wind that carries my mood in a new direction. Tom is supposed to be my ally but if he switches sides, I’m prepared to draw blood. “Wasn’t it you who pointed out what will happen if Mr. Freeland finds out about Mr. Dade and me?” I ask. “Dave knows, Tom. You know that better than anyone. You should be encouraging me to find a graceful exit to the affair so we can all get out of this unscathed.”

“Kasie, I’m getting out of this unscathed regardless. If you get fired, that sucks for me. Really sucks. You’re an amazing consultant, hands down the best analyst I’ve got. There’s a chance I’ll be up for promotion next year and if I get it, you’ll be partially responsible for that, and you’ll probably get my job. But empires rise and fall. Kings and queens are overthrown and replaced with others, ones who use different titles, wear different crowns but are every bit as ruthless as their predecessors. We’re all replaceable in the end.”

Out in the hall I hear someone laughing, the hum of activity. “Are you threatening my job?” I ask.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Tom’s eyes idly travel the room. “My only goal is to keep the account. I’m sure Mr. Dade told you that he spoke with me last night?”