Page 128 of Masters of Pleasure
Unfortunately, Chad was the dickhead who thought he was owed something and rebelled against anyone being in a position of power over him.As long as he didn’t act out, he would keep his job, but it didn’t make him pleasant to work with.
“Uh, well, Avery came in and was asking how all of us were doing, then she asked where you were…” Darnell’s voice faded, and his gaze cut over to Chad.
For a moment, Nick thought he was going to stop talking, but he shook his head.Clearly, Chad had done something, and Darnell didn’t want to be a tattletale, but he’d been put on the spot.
“Chad said she should know since she’s your girlfriend.”
Shit.
Nick sucked in a breath.
How the fuck had Chad found out?
Not that it mattered.
“That’s not all he said,” Alice spoke up, glaring at Darnell, clearly displeased he’d left something out.Darnell looked away, unable to meet her gaze.When she was pissed, Alice was scary.“He said some shit about you two going upstairs, as if that’s any of his business.”
“It’s all of our business if our sous chef got the position by spreading her legs,” Chad shot back.
“Hey!”The word rang out from four throats at once, and Darnell was glaring at Chad with the rest of them.
A red haze settling over his vision, Nick took a step toward Chad, only to be jerked back.
“Don’t.He’s not worth it.Fire his ass.Keep your hands to yourself.”Luke’s voice was low and urgent in his ear.Nick realized his fists were clenched, and the urge to jump over the line and slam one of them into Chad’s face was overwhelming.Luke must have realized that.
“You’re fired,” were the only words Nick could find.They were the right words, but that didn’t help the way he was feeling, as if he wanted to explode all over the asshole.
“You can’t fire me over telling the truth!I’ll fucking sue!”
“Yes, he can,” Luke said, stepping around Nick and bodily putting himself between them.
Normally, that would have made Nick furious, but right now, he was struggling to hold on to his temper and not get a physical assault charge.If Luke could actually form words, he was the better choice to confront Chad.Nick would rather punch him in the face.
“First, it’s called at-will employment.Second, even try, and you will be slapped with a sexual harassment suit so fast, your head will spin.What you said to Avery was as egregious as it was untrue.The owners have been kept apprised of the relationship, which didn’t start until recently, well after she was hired.”
“Of course, you were ‘apprised.’You’re one of the freaks,” Chad sneered.“I could tell everything about what goes on upstairs…”
“In which case, the non-disclosure agreement you signed can and will be used against you.Even if you find a lawyer to take you on, and that’s a big if, you’ll lose and pay out the ass for it.Then we’ll still slap you with a sexual harassment suit.If you think I’m not willing to pay to protect my club, you’re fucking wrong.”
For the first time, a worried expression appeared on Chad’s face.That it had taken so long showed how stupidly arrogant he was.
“You can’t?—”
“I can.”Luke’s voice brooked no argument.It was hard and uncompromising.That authority was part of the reason Nick had initially balked at the idea of Luke submitting to anyone.That wasn’t who he was in public.He was like Nick—take charge, hold no prisoners, and fully in control.
Right now, Nick had never felt so out of control, which was why he was letting his big brother step in and handle Chad.Otherwise, Nick was liable to do a hell of a lot worse than merely fire him.
“It’s Saturday night.You need me.”Chad bristled.
“We really don’t.”Nick stepped out from behind his brother, shooting daggers from his eyes.
“I-I…” Chad’s gaze darted around the kitchen, finding no sympathy from any corner.Even Sandra, who was usually friendly with him since they worked adjoining stations, wouldn’t meet his gaze.“Fine.Fuck you all.You all know I’m right!Maybe that’s not how she got her job, but… Ugh… Whatever.”The supreme lack of logic in his conclusions was nearly as large as his lack of self-preservation.
Luke grabbed hold of Nick’s arm again.
“Get out.Your final paycheck will be deposited.Do not come back for any reason, or you will be removed bodily from the premises.”The threat was all the more impressive, delivered in Luke’s low, silky tone.
Huffing, Chad stalked out—taking the more arduous way behind the line to avoid Nick, which was the smartest thing he’d done that day.Not that Alice made it easy for him.Her arms were crossed, and despite being almost a foot shorter, she was intimidating enough, so when he squeezed past her, he did his best not to even brush her.
