Page 21 of Unleashed

Ruth shakes her head, crossing both arms over her chest as I take a sip of the steaming beverage. “You absolutely do not.” Her eyes narrow. “You look like you’re up to something.”

“I’m not up to anything except looking over the reports from the end of the first quarter.” It’s not a lie. Currently, report assessment is the only thing I’m up to.

Last night was a completely different story.

“I don’t believe you.” She purses her lips. “I’ll figure it out eventually.”

I watch my future sister-in-law walk away, wondering how in the hell I ended up with two mothers up my ass all the time. I even pay one of them to do it, which I’m not sure says anything good about me.

Speaking of, I should probably give Ruth a raise. She hasn’t been here long, but she’s the best assistant I’ve ever had. She knows exactly how I like my coffee, is always punctual and organized, doesn’t tolerate my bullshit…

And has never tried to blow up my company.

I polish off my cup of coffee, swallowing it down before leaning to peer out the open door to make sure Ruth is occupied. Then I open the new app I downloaded to my phone. The one that displays the cameras I mounted outside Maren’s trailer last night. Getting the job done in my suit was a little trickier than I expected, but I managed. Between the trip back here to get the equipment I needed, and creeping around to accomplish my task unnoticed, I didn’t get more than an hour of sleep last night.

But it’s worth it when I see the unobstructed view I have of Maren’s home. If anything strange happens, there will be a full recording of the event. Plus, I can always check in and make sure everything is okay. I’m just looking out for her. For her daughter. This simply makes it possible for me to accomplish that without staking out their neighborhood every night.

Because that would be weird.

Confident everything looks as it should, I tuck my phone into the pocket of my slacks and head for the meeting I scheduled with my contact at the temp agency. We offer them a good amount of business, so I don’t feel bad making him come here. I’d much rather have this conversation face-to-face, and I want to have it now.

He’s waiting in my preferred meeting room when I get there, looking a little nervous. Good. It gives me the upper hand. And I like it that way.

Maren is never nervous to talk to me. Actually, I’m pretty sure the thought of it enrages her.

For some reason, I’m smiling as I sit down in the seat, and the temp agency’s manager relaxes a little. Which is a mistake.

“I think you’re sending us unscreened temps, Mark.” I lean back in my chair, steepling my fingers. “The guy you sent to handle my supply organization and distribution is shit.” As I stare him down, all signs of comfort evaporate. “So were the last ten temps you sent to help Walker in the warehouse.” I angle a brow. “I’d like to know why you think it’s a great idea to scrape the bottom of your barrel and send it here?”

Now is not the time for him to be pulling this shit. Shit I wouldn’t have known about if Maren hadn’t told me how awful the temp who took over her old job is doing. Based on what she said, I emailed everyone who interacts with the temp, asking if they were having any issues.

Nearly everyone was.

After explaining to each of them that this is something they should have brought to my attention, I started collecting documentation. Ruth compiled it all in a cute little folder for me. The same folder I drop in front of the temp manager now. “Go through this and tell me why each of these people were approved.” I cross both arms over my chest, tipping my head at the stack of paper. “Go ahead. I’ll wait.”

I don’t actually want to wait. I don’t have time for this shit. The list of tasks I have to handle is long and varied, and I really didn’t fucking need this added to it.

Mark looks from the folder to me, then back to the folder again. “I’ll have to have my hiring manager look over it and get back to you.”

“So you don’t know?” Another wrong answer. “How is it that you run a company and have no clue what’s going on with the single task your company specializes in?” I brace one arm against the table, leaning closer to where he sits. “You know how big this company is. I know everything that happens here.”

Almost everything. I didn’t know Maren had a daughter. A fact that still chafes.

“You’re right.” He shifts in his seat. “I will take over your account personally. Interview everyone we send here.”

“Unfortunately, that’s too little, too late.” I flip open the folder he hasn’t even touched, revealing the paper on top of the stack. “That is my formal revocation of our contract. We will no longer be requiring your services.”

Mark’s jaw drops. “You’re just going to drop us over one mistake?”

“It’s not one mistake, Mark.” I tap the stack of papers. “You would know that if you’d looked at a single one of these reports.”

I stand, because I’m done here. There’s nothing more to talk about. The decision has been made. I genuinely hated making it. Not because I want to give Mark my business, but because now I’ve added yet another task to my list. I’ve also added another task to Titus’s team, because they’ll have to do full background checks on everyone we consider instead of just a deep dive on potential new-hires. It’s not a perfect solution by any means, but I’ve learned time and time again that I can’t rely on other people. If I want something done right, I have to do it myself.

I leave Mark sputtering behind me as I stride out of the room, steps quick. And in the wrong direction.

Instead of going to my office, I accidentally find my way to Titus’s wing. Specifically, Brooke’s office.

Mostly the space just outside of it, where Maren sits at her desk, eyes locked on her computer screen with an amount of focus I’ve always found impressive. I suppose it makes sense that she can lock in, given the distraction I assume children can present. I know if Mariah wants to get anything done, she basically has tunnel vision, working quickly and efficiently to complete the task before one of the twins starts screaming. Or throws up.