Page 119 of True Colors

“Well, Erin, get used to it, because I’m going to be disappointing you some more.”

She looks at me as if I’ve dropped a puzzle in her lap.

“Effectively immediately, you don’t work for me.”

The confusion on her face turns to shock. “Are you firing me?”

“No,” I say quickly, emphatically. “I’m asking you to find another role within the organization—not HelixSphere, but Grant Corp. as a whole. One that doesn’t report to me.”

She fixes me with a sharp, venomous stare. “Because of her.”

“No,” I say evenly. “Because of me. You’re not good for me, Erin. You used my fear and your own agenda, resulting in the clusterfuck that the board meeting was. One you didn’t even take any responsibility for. And I let it happen because it was easier than standing up and being uncomfortable.”

A frustrated sound rumbles out of her. “This is about one presentation⁠—”

“This is about values,” I cut in. “And ours don’t align anymore.”

She recoils, shock flashing in her eyes.

“I’m offering you a full transition package,” I add. “Full pay. Time. Support. But you’re not staying on my team.”

Her eyes search mine, shock giving way to something softer. Desperation. “You’re ruining my career.”

“Erin, I could fire you right away. I have cause. You ran that meeting into the ground. But for the fact that Martin is my Godfather, you think we wouldn’t have lost the Novagene business entirely?”

She bites her bottom lip, eyes clouded. “I…I was helping you.”

“You were trying to push Anouk out,” I counter.

She closes her eyes for a long moment, then opens them and holds my gaze. “She’s not right for you, Luther.”

“This,” I say softly, not looking away from her because I need her to get this message loud and clear, “is exactly why you have to leave.”

It’s nearly seven in the evening by the time I’m done for the day.

I spent several hours with HR working through Erin’s exit and ensuring she has interviews scheduled with other subsidiaries of Grant Corp. I am happy to even give her a recommendation, depending upon the job.

The head of HR at HelixSphere doesn’t think I should do it. According to him, Erin’s attitude about being let go—which is essentially what this is—doesn’t bode well for her future in a large organization.

That’s her problem. I can’t manage her attitude. What I can do is help line up interviews for her⁠—

After that, she’s on her own. I wish her well, but that’s where my responsibility ends.

“Hi,” a voice says from behind me as I punch the down elevator button with more force than needed.

I turn, and my heart goes bang, bang, bang.

Anouk.

I’m standing by the elevator bank, the same spot as months ago, when I asked her to dinner for the first time. Back when everything still felt possible.

“Anouk.” I hesitate, then gesture vaguely at the elevators. “Working late?”

She licks her lips. I wonder if I’ll have the privilege of kissing them again.

God! How am I going to make it through life without her?

She nods almost shyly. “I w-was p-pre-preparing.”