Instead, I’ll perform a banishing spell. I’m not a Wiccan, but I’m pretty sure Sylvia and I can bring Mr. Logan’s business to a halt and force him out on his own.
And finally, Kevin, Tammy’s ex. He’s been sending Camilla messages through her gaming device almost every day, trying to pump information out of her. Thankfully, Camilla’s too young to understand that her father couldn’t give a shit about her. Kevin’s only mission is to manipulate her so he can punish Tammy. Problem is, Tammy can barely focus on work and is starting to have panic attacks and it’s hard to see her like this. I’m not sure how much more she can take so this morning, I’m going to approach her with Ascot’s idea on how to get rid of her ex-husband for good. I was putting it off, afraid of how she might react but I can’t any longer. Hopefully, she’ll hear me out and if I’m lucky, Adam won’t be around to poke his nose into our conversation.
Chapter Fourteen
“Morning,” I call out, glancing around the office as I walk through the door.
“Hey,” Tammy pokes her head out from the filing room, her eyes red from crying or lack of sleep.
I shove my purse into my desk drawer. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, just had a hard time staying asleep last night,” she looks past me and I turn around.
“You’re ten minutes early,” Adam says, cocking his balding head. “To what do we owe the pleasure?”
Fuck.
I roll my eyes and walk past him. “Good morning to you, too.”
He chuckles under his breath, exposing his new found hatred toward me. “I need you to come into my office.”
I glance back at Tammy, her eyes going wide as she crinkles her nose. “Sure,” I say, following him, and dreading what’s to come.
“Take a seat,” he shuts the door and walks past me, leaning on the edge of his desk. “I hope you’ve enjoyed my absence lately,” he folds his arms across his belly, the rolls of fat holding them like a tray. “But, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to be avoiding one another.”
“I’m not avoiding, you, Adam. You haven’t been here.”
Idiot.
“True,” he gives me a sly grin. “I had to take care of some personal issues at home.”
I stay silent but I know he wants me to ask. I won’t, I don’t give a rat’s ass about his personal life.
“My wife and I have decided to separate,” he admits, the corners of his mouth curling up like he’s proud. “Actually, I lied, we’ve already filed for divorce so…”
“Why are you telling me this?” I cock my head.
His smile widens and he shrugs. “I don’t know, I just thought it would be a good idea. You know, something you can tuck away for future reference.”
“What goes on in your life doesn’t concern me, Adam.”
He stands up and leans toward me. “Oh, but it should, Elise. Your little threats won’t work anymore.”
You son-of-a-bitch.
“You’re a piece of work, you know that?” I scoot my chair back, getting to my feet. “Just because you’re getting divorced doesn’t mean I can’t go to the insurance board about your harassment.”
“It’s your word against mine, lady,” he snickers, “you didn’t think I would let this go, did you?”
Motherfucker.
“Do you watch the news, Adam? Have you heard of the ‘Me Too’ movement?”
He laughs. “That doesn’t matter, it’s still your word against mine,” he takes a step toward me. “I will not allow you to destroy another thing I’ve worked so hard for.”
“Oh, so your wife does know about your sexual harassment.”
“No!” he blurts out. “I mean, I didn’t sexually harass anyone!”
“Oh, c’mon, Adam. How can you stand there, acting all innocent…”
“Listen, you little bitch,” he whisper-shouts, grabbing my arm, the faint smell of alcohol on his breath. “I can’t fire you, but I can make it miserable for you.”
I yank my arm from his grip. “Careful, I can and will take you down so fast your head will spin.”
He smiles again, sarcasm shadowing his unshaven face. “Not unless I take you down first.”
I give him a go-to-hell look and swallow hard. “Don’t try me, Adam, you won’t win,” I warn, grabbing the door handle.
“We’ll see about that now, won’t we?” he chuckles again as I leave his office, fuming.
Tammy looks up and I glance over at her, my eyes filling with tears. I rush to the restroom and slam the door. I stand, panting with my back against the door for another few seconds when I hear muffled voices. The front door chimes as if someone came in or left and my phone dings. I blink and yank it out of my back pocket.
Tammy: What did that asshole say to you?
Me: Nothing good.
Tammy: He just left if you want to talk?
Placing the phone down on the counter, I grab a napkin and wipe my eyes. My hands are shaking, I hate confrontation, I hate chaos.
Get ahold of yourself.
I clear my throat and turn to open the door just as Tammy comes rushing in. She takes one look at my face and throws her arms around me. “Honey, are you okay?”
I give her a quick nod. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just really pissed off, that’s all.”
She pulls back, thumbing away a stray tear falling down my cheek. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. You know you can talk to me about anything, right?”
“I know,” I try to smile. “Adam is just trying to intimidate me, again.”
Tammy’s eyes go wide. “Wait, are you freaking serious?”
“It’s fine, I’m,” I shake my head, “don’t worry about it. I can handle his weenie ass,” I let out a nervous laugh. “Apparently, he and his wife are getting a divorce so he thinks the threat of my telling her no longer holds weight,” I blow my nose. “I’m pretty sure that, and a few shots of liquid courage is why he accosted me.”
Her brows go up. “Oh my god, he’s drinking, too?”
I nod. “Oh, yeah.”
“C’mon,” she gestures me out of the restroom. “We need to document everything that happened,” she gets to her desk, grabbing a notepad and pencil. “Especially the part about his drinking on the job.”
“Also,” I cut in, “go ahead and jot down that he jerked me by the arm and called me a ‘bitch.’”
Tammy gasps.
“Mm, hmm,” I pull my sleeve up to the spot where Adam gripped my arm, his four finger marks still bright red on my skin.
“My god,” she whispers. “I’m getting a picture of this,” she reaches for her phone and takes a close up. “Anything else?”
I shake my head. “No, that’s it, thank you, girl.”
Tammy’s phone starts to ring and she looks down at the screen. “Oh,” her brows push together, “it’s Camilla’s school, that’s weird.” Her expression immediately changes when she answers, the look of panic in her eyes. I move closer, watching her face twist just before she hangs up. “Oh my God, oh my God,” she rushes to her desk.