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Brant dropped to one knee on the rug in his office, right beside the hidden safe, his smile infectious, his lack of patience so endearing as he hurriedly pulled the box from the slim interior and immediately opened the lid.
I felt odd, standing beside his printer in loose linen pants and sandals, my hair in a messy knot at the base of my neck, with no makeup on. He had paused and taken a deep breath, composing himself, before looking up into my eyes and asking for my hand in marriage.
Will you take my hand in marriage?He’d never asked it that way in the past—so formal, but I was glad that it was different, and had dropped to my knees in front of him, putting us at eye level together, and immediately said yes.
The office had been empty, the BSX facility closed pending the outcome of the hearing. After I’d said yes, we’d lain back on the carpet beside each other and I’d held my hand up and we’d both stared at it, giddy at the step we had just committed to.
I cup my hands in my lap and twist the band, not surprised that the ring fits perfectly on my finger. “I know you don’t want to press charges or speak to the police, but what are you going to do about Jillian’s role at BSX?"
Brant looked away from the road for a quick moment and met my eyes. His jaw tightens and his grip on the steering wheel works the leather as he flexes his hands.
"I don't know,” he says carefully. “I need to speak to the DID doctor and understand my realistic capabilities when it comes to my ability to run the company.”
“Does it matter? I mean, will that affect what you—”
“No,” he interrupts. “Regardless, Jillian has to be removed from any role of power."
I sigh, conflicted on the subject. "The company's her life, has been for twenty years." Brant won't be happy running BSX. Financial sheets bore him, meetings drive him insane, and I’d be shocked if he knows the names of ten of the employees.
He likes to be in a room, alone. Working, fixing, creating. Jillian does a great job in her role, even if she was psychotic in her treatment of Brant. I have no desire to reward the woman but hate the destruction of the status quo.
Brant taps at the buttons on his steering wheel and the car’s screen changes as he selects and dials the number for BSX.
A perky voice answers moments later, and I guess someone is still working despite the office being closed.
Brant clears his throat. "Hank Michen in Security, please.”
I blink, surprised that he knows a name in security. Maybe hecanname ten employees without pause. In fact, it's likely he has the entire employee roster committed to memory.
The next voice is deeper and more intimidating in its greeting.
"Hank, this is Brant Sharp. I need to lock Jillian Sharp out of everything."
There is a long pause before the voice drawls back through the receiver. "At the risk of losing my job, is this a joke?"
"I assume you have caller ID. Verify it against the internal corporate directory. I can also verify my driver's license number or social security number, both of which I assume you have on file in some location."
"That won't be necessary, Mr. Sharp. It’s nice to speak to you. I don't believe we’ve ever had the chance. When you sayeverything, do you mean— "
"Her office, her email, her remote ability. Anything that could give her an iota of access. Turn off her campus gate codes and transponder. I don't want her to step on BSX's campus without being flagged and stopped by security."
Another long pause. "Is this a temporary or permanent situation?"
"I'm not sure yet. For now, it’s indefinite, unless you hear otherwise."
The man clears his throat. "You should know, Mr. Sharp, that we received a similar call from Jillian Sharp yesterday with the same instructions for you."
"And?"
"And I refused. I tried to call you, but you didn't answer your cell. I left a voicemail for you."
"You did the right thing. How long will it take to lock her out?"
There's the muffled sound of a receiver being covered, then he returns to the line. "Less than a half hour for everything. We'll have remote access cut before the end of this call, sir."
"Good. I'll call you directly if there are any changes. Don't accept orders from anyone other than me. And text me your cell phone number."
"Yes sir."
