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While I had the attention of both presidents, I floated the idea of the four-continent bunkers of blood with our additives for disasters and emergencies. I outlined where the idea was and what we were thinking for size and the basics we would require to make this work.

And that we would always have control and inspect the bunkers. This wasn’t something to hand over but a joint project with each government in the name of peace.

Both received it well, thinking the idea had a lot of promise but worried Europe would never agree if we were going to inspect and check on it.

I made it clear then that they were left out.

The blood had to be checked and stock rotated.

No matter what we did to it, blood went bad.

So we had to be able to control it or vampires could be hurt and poisoned.

And I would never allow ASH to have had a hand in that.

But I was flexible. They could pick who they were comfortable with and work on security clearance—but we had to check it and have mutual control.

Still, I was glad at least two were on board. That would make it easier to convince South America and Europe. If it wasn’t all of them… Their loss.

The aide to the Asian president made a lot of progress on Tommy’s itinerary. By the time I came into work Wednesday morning, it was pretty much done.

And ten months long. They also gave Tommy liaisons from both administrations so he had people to check in with. If there were problems, but also they were checking on him not to fuck this up and make their administrations look bad.

Fair.

I ended up emailing others involved and with that message basically outlining both knew this was a bit of a redemption tour along with helping Asia.

I was honest that it became a bit political when that hospital tried to pull shit and keeping Tommy safe turned into this.

I gave more details than I normally would because I didn’t want it to be something laid at my feet.

Especially when putting this all together somehow fell on me when it was for him to show he was taking things more seriously. I also added that part but nicer.

The list for the email was a bit odd for work purposes since I included Tommy’s coven leader.

But it was Tommy, his coven leader, Alan, and Beth who ran HR now.

Oh, and I cc’d Gerald who now ran the legal department.

I wanted him looped in so we were covered and neither administration tried to cause problems later.

I had just finished up when I received a message from one of my admins informing me two people were waiting to see me… And only one was on the schedule. The other kept being an annoyance.

It was time to put Mandy the bitch in her place. Seriously. I was still waiting for information on her, but her behavior was ridiculous.

I stepped out of my office, my focus on Jackie Dillon who was being interviewed for the personal assistant position I was creating to share with the department heads. “Thank you for coming in. I’m sorry that I’m going to be a few more minutes, but apparently I need to deal with a problem.”

“Of course, I fully understand, Ms. Reed,” she accepted as she sat back down.

Then I turned to Mandy. “Let me walk you out, Dr. Tate.”

Her eyes flashed shock—and a lot of hostility that she tried to hide with a smile. “No, sorry, I wasn’t leaving. I’m waiting for an appointment with you, but they won’t schedule anything.”

I chuckled darkly. “Which was the hint that you’re not getting an appointment with me. So yes, you are leaving. You can do it gracefully and let me walk you out or I can call security.”

She ground her jaw. “There’s been a misunderstanding—”

“On your part. Yes, there has been because I heard that I was drawing up an offer for you when we’ve not even met and I haven’t interviewed you.”

“I’m sorry, but it makes no sense why you would need to.”

It was really hard not to laugh when all of my support staff froze in what they were doing and looked at her like she’d grown another head. At least she wasn’t so stupid that she caught their reactions.

“Yes, please explain to me how my hospital works,” I taunted as I crossed my arms over my chest. “You don’t know how we do things at ASH, and people are already tired of you causing trouble.

You don’t even work here and are annoying people.

They know how we do things, so for you to say you’re getting an offer from me when I haven’t interviewed you—they’re laughing. ”

“No one has been laughing at me,” she countered, her voice ice-cold. “I have—”

“It’s time to leave, Dr. Tate,” I said as I extended my arm for her to head towards the door. I snorted when she gave me a look that it wasn’t happening and just went for the exit. She wanted my time, so she would follow.

Sure enough, she did.

“Look, clearly, we’re getting off on the wrong foot.”

“No, you have, and it’s no longer amusing or simply annoying,” I told her over my shoulder. “You can’t bully or lie your way into a position. Please stop embarrassing yourself.”

“Me?” she hissed as she moved closer, clearly upset at how loudly I said that. “I understand you’re the chief admins officer or whatever but you’re—the heads of the department hire people. That’s how hospitals work and—”

“It’s not how ASH works,” I said bluntly.

“And the department head you would be under hasn’t asked me to interview you.

So this is completely of your own fancy.

” I stopped and turned to her. “Do you really think you’re the first smooth talker and liar we’ve had try to push their way into our hospital?

” I gave her my best condescending smile. “You’re not even good at it.”

Then I kept walking. It was hard not to roll my eyes when she basically lectured me on how to do my job and about my place in life.

I let her go on and on and essentially tear me down and threaten to humiliate me if I didn’t give her what she wanted.

Her lies about her backing and referrals that were pouring in to me about her were beyond insulting.

Finally, when we were in the main lobby by security, I spun on her.

“You are unhinged , Dr. Tate. None of that is true. I haven’t received one—not one —referral for you from anyone in this hospital.

On the contrary, I have received warnings and people asking to make sure you never work here.

And I don’t care what you believe about how hospitals should work.

“You’re lying and begging for a job here at the hospital I run .

I do. Not you. Not anyone else. I have sole discretion on who is hired.

Everyone here knows that. They know who gives them their offer letters and raises.

For you to ramble this whole time that I’m full of myself and need to learn my place—please, learn your place .

“You’re hundreds of years younger than me and so disrespectful that I can say with complete certainty you are not ASH material and will never work here.

You have been walking around here for days lying and trying to manipulate my people.

None of them fell for it, but we’re busy and don’t have time for you or your games. So please leave and do not come back.”

Her eyes were huge as she switched gears to try something new next. “I-I didn’t—I’m not sure what I did to offend you, but I certainly wasn’t—you misunderstood what I said.”

“No, I didn’t, and I’m not an idiot,” I chuckled darkly.

“I get you’re used to trying to manipulate people—you might even be good at it, but this is the big leagues and as I said, you aren’t the first to try and push themselves into a position here.

You won’t be the last, but this will be the last time you hassle anyone at ASH. ”

She glanced around and the anger came back to a level she couldn’t hide. “I did no such thing and—”

“You are a liar , Dr. Tate,” I said evenly while wanting to pound her face in.

“You walked in here and said you were invited to interview. Except no one invited you. I’ve talked with everyone who could even have done that.

The remaining board didn’t even know you were coming.

Your referrals won’t put their reputation on the line for you.

“All of this is a con. I don’t know why, but I suggest you leave quietly before I find out and really get annoyed.

” I stepped into her personal space. “Go ahead and try to turn this around that I’m a monster and you’re the victim.

It won’t change anything and I don’t care .

” I smirked at her shock. “I don’t. Fine, I’m a monster. Say what you want.”

“That’s not—”

She was done talking and I didn’t even let her finish.

“But I am the protector of the staff and patients at ASH. That’s my role, not some paper-pushing lackey of the board who needs to understand the way things work.

I know how they work. I helped build them before you were even born.

So I don’t know how else to say it but no, you cannot work here. Ever.”

She glanced around for help but clearly found none.

All she saw was security moving in closer.

“I’m sorry you feel that way, Ms. Reed. We’ll have to clear this misunderstanding up another time and talk when there’s an opening since apparently you don’t have one in my department.”

Oh, that’s how she was going to spin it?

I laughed in her face. “We have a few—I make positions for talented doctors. But you are not a fit. You were never a candidate. I don’t deal with liars and people who are toxic.

It’s not good for the people I protect and you are toxic.

The fact you just spun that around like you’re letting me down easily is—get out. Seriously, just leave.”

I turned to leave and nodded to security to handle her. I added to revoke any guest passes she’d weaseled for herself and even block her from ASH unless she came in as a trauma patient.

“That’s enough, Ms. Reed,” she snapped. “I’m a respected doctor who—”

“You are?” I countered. “Funny, because your current hospital isn’t responding to my requests for information and your employment history.” I chuckled when she went pale. “Yeah, nothing suspicious there. But hey, I’m just a paper pusher. What would I know, right, Doctor? ”

“We’ll handle it, Ms. Reed,” the head of security said firmly as he joined us.

“You always do, and I appreciate it. Good work.”

And goodbye Mandy Tate.