Page 51 of His to Protect
"He what?" My voice came out dangerously even.
"He offered Mireya a job, with better pay for a specialized cardiac unit. The whole pitch." Cassian leaned back, watching me closely. "Thought you should know."
My hands curled into fists on the desk. "When did this happen?"
"Yesterday."
Yesterday. While I'd been in surgery for six hours. August had cornered Mireya and made his offer without any professional courtesy, without even mentioning it to me first.
Blood rushed in my ears. My vision narrowed at the edges, pure rage coursing through my system.
"He had no right," I said through clenched teeth.
Cassian shrugged. "Technically, he had every right. She's not under exclusive contract. She's a free agent professionally."
"He approached a member of my surgical team without going through proper channels." My jaw ached from how hard I was clenching it. "That's unprofessional."
"There are no proper channels for this, Riv. August runs his own hospital. He can hire whoever he wants." Cassian paused. "But that's not really what's bothering you, is it?"
I stood abruptly and paced to the window, staring out at the city without actually seeing anything.
August. Still pushing. Still interfering in every aspect of my life. First the inheritance demands. Now this deliberate provocation.
"You're angrier than the situation warrants," Cassian observed from behind me.
"He poached my best first assist," I snapped.
Cassian clicked his tongue. "That's not why you're angry."
"That's exactly why I'm angry."
"No." His voice stayed calm. "If this was about professional courtesy, you'd be annoyed. Maybe file a complaint with hospital administration. You're furious. That's different."
I turned around. "And your point is?"
"My point is you've worked with dozens of RNFAs over the years. Lost plenty of them to other hospitals with better offers. You've never reacted like this." He studied my face. "So what makes Mireya different?"
I didn't answer.
I couldn’t.
Because I didn't know. And that was the problem.
"She's good at her job," I said finally, the words feeling inadequate. "I don't want to lose a highly skilled surgical assistant."
"She's very good at her job. One of the best I've seen." Cassian crossed his arms. "But that's not what this is about."
My eyes narrowed dangerously. "Then enlighten me. What is it about?"
"You tell me. You're the one who looks like you want to physically assault August."
I turned back to the window. My reflection stared back at me. Face hard. Jaw set. I did want to punch August. I wanted to walk down to his office and tell him to stay away from my staff. My house. My life.
But that wasn't professional or rational.
And I didn't understand where this anger was coming from.
"She lives in your house," Cassian said quietly behind me. "She takes care of Emma. Has coffee with you every morning before your run. You asked me three separate times last week what kind of flowers women prefer. Don't think I didn't notice that."
