AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Chef said he could.”
“The chef is going to say that because you’re his boss. He wants to make you happy.”
I inhaled a breath and leaned against the bar. “What about you, John? Do you want to make me happy? I’m your boss too.” I didn’t wait for an answer. “I’m going to run out to check on my mother. I’ll be back before the dinner rush.” Feeling more powerful than I’d had in a while, I walked out the door ready to take on the world.
25
Kade — Monday
Just when I thought I was getting things on track with Morgan, I had to leave town to deal with our new restaurant out in the Hamptons. Fucking Ben. The least he could do was keep his own properties running.
I was too late to see her last night when I arrived back, and this morning I had a meeting with Chase, Hunter, and Ash to let them know what was up with the McAdams properties out on Long Island.
With that finally all behind me, I went to my office, thinking I’d check in with Morgan. First, I wanted to check my messages in case she’d called me. The only voicemail was from John, left last night.
“I apologize for any misunderstanding the other night, Mr. Raven. I feel very passionately about the restaurant, and know I can make it a success. But we need a more experienced leader. I mean, you saw Morgan. When the kitchen gets backed up, she chokes. Everyone in the kitchen chokes because of her.
I know she’s one of your pet projects, but we need more experience in here if this project is going to survive. Give me a call when you get this message. I look forward to discussing some ideas I have. I know you’ll appreciate them.”
I frowned as I hit the button to repeat the message. What the hell? I tossed my phone on my desk and paced in my office. What was John doing? One minute he had his hands on Morgan, and the next he was calling me to tell me she’s incompetent. Did she know? Was that why she was done with him? Why not fire him?
Then I realized that if she’d slept with him, and if it was his baby she was carrying, firing him could get messy legally.
“You’re going to wear a permanent trail into your expensive carpet. Perhaps you should change course,” Alex said entering my office.
Wanting a second opinion, I said, “Listen to this message.” I picked up the phone and replayed the voice recording, while Alex came to stand in front of my desk.
“He works for her?” Alex asked when the recording was done.
“Yes.”
“He seems to think you run the show, though.”
I knew she was caught up on the details of Beth and Ash’s new small business project, but I reminded her of the players. “I’m the mentor of sorts. But it’s her place.”
She shrugged. “If you ask me, he’s trying to undermine her to get to you.”
Like a puzzle piece, it clicked into place. “You’re right.” John was probably using his charm to manipulate her, while at the same time stabbing her in the back. Morgan was smart and gutsy, but she’d been naïve around men, so she would have been easy pray for his brand of seduction. “I’m going to rip his lungs out,” I growled.
Alex’s eyes widened. “Perhaps she could just fire him.”
I nodded, but I knew that was a tricky situation if she had slept with him. No doubt he’d use it against her. Maybe even against Raven Industries.
“Thank you, Alex.” Then realizing she probably came to see me about something else, I asked, “Was there something you needed from me?”
“I wanted to let you know I emailed some specs your dad wanted me to forward you on the Bucharest restaurant.”
“I’ll look them over. Thank you.”
She nodded, and left my office. Dad’s Bucharest specs would have to wait, though. I called John and asked him to meet me at my office.
While I waited for him to show up, I reviewed the specs and made a list of things I needed to check out. At some point, I’d need to fly over and see the place in person. I wondered if I could convince Morgan to go with me. Could pregnant women fly?
John showed up ten minutes early to our meeting, proving the theory that he was an eager beaver jockeying for position in a Raven Industries restaurant. Why he just didn’t apply to one? I didn’t know. Unless he was looking for a management position. We nearly always hired management from within. I preferred to hire people who had experience in my restaurants.
“Thank you for coming down on short notice,” I said, motioning for him to sit in one of the chairs in front of my desk. I remained standing, leaning against my desk so I could glower down on him.
