Page 38

Ellie

I decided to handle HR now that Mandy was figured out.

I swung by there and handed in my form declaring my sexual encounter with Ha-joon and that we were going to have a relationship.

“Just so we’re clear, this doesn’t get out.

If it does, I will find out how and they will be fired. None of these forms get out.”

“I’ve cleaned house now and I’m confident it won’t,” Beth said from behind me.

I nodded, as the man took my form. “I figured given how much smaller the HR department is at the moment, but I want people to hear from my mouth that it would be bad for them to risk it because it’s my form.

” I focused back on the man. “Including their future prospects after being—” I was annoyed when a throat cleared and turned to blast them.

Except it was Gerald and he was giving me a look that I was about to say too much.

Fine, the attorney I was paying a ton for to protect the hospital could interrupt. I nodded that I heard him and thanked Beth before leaving and heading to the interview that I was now thirty minutes late for.

I apologized to her and she took it in stride. “I’ll be blunt. The hospital keeps me too busy, and my personal life is neglected. It’s true for the department heads also, but I don’t want this to become a clusterfuck.”

“How do you see it working then?” she asked, already taking notes.

“Some sort of organized chaos,” I sighed.

“Everyone turns their dry cleaning into you for Monday drop-off and Friday pickup brought back to here. I agree this is a needed position, but we’re not just going to run you ragged and waste time.

I also need the person to be the adult and manage it all instead of a recently graduated college kid getting pushed around by the twits. ”

I felt we were on the same page when her lips twitched.

“If you could give me some examples of what is in bounds and what’s out of bounds for their lists, that would be great,” she said, again telling me she was the right person for the job.

“Of course. Anything in their house is out of bounds unless an emergency.” I thought about it a moment.

“Or something like Alan is in surgery and the electrician is coming and someone has to be there. The surgeons and ED department are the only exception on that because they don’t have set hours and emergencies.

“Everyone else can take a morning off and meet whomever. You’re not cleaning houses or babysitting kids.

Again, if there’s an emergency—I don’t even like you picking up kids.

That’s an extra liability. This should be things that get taxing for us to handle because we’re always here.

Dry cleaning. Oil changes—mine is months overdue and my yearly service.

“Cars to get cleaned while out for oil changes, but you’re not going to a coin place and washing it yourself.

They need to not be cheap on top of this luxury we’re providing them to help.

You can pick up grocery orders and bring them back here for them to take home.

You’re not grocery shopping for them all over and stocking their fridges. ”

She nodded. “Amazon return drop-offs on Tuesdays or something where I can pick up the labeled packages here from your office.”

“Yes. Exactly . There will be some hospital-related tasks as well which is why I decided you will be on ASH’s payroll,” I told her.

“Certain drugs or potion ingredients need to be picked up in person. It always ends up being an emergency we have to pay a courier for because we can’t just get away during lunch and then we’re out. ”

She nodded. “If a list of those items and locations is given to me, I can check twice a month on stock levels and make sure the supplies are always on hand so it’s not chaos.”

I loved her already. That was such a proactive approach.

We talked a bit more, but as we did, I noticed that she was a bit confused and worried in her aura. That surprised me when she was getting more and more settled into the idea.

“I’m not sure why you’re conflicted,” I interjected, knowing that was something a normal vampire could sense.

Normal vampires could not see auras so… Best to play along with my species.

She nodded, accepting what I was saying. “I’m hesitant on how much to say, but did Dr. Carpenter tell you about my background?”

I opened my mouth but then closed it. “No, he simply forwarded your resume and package. I’m sorry. I’m normally better prepared, but he put your interview on my calendar so fast and there were fires to put out all day.”

She seemed accepting of that but still hesitant. “Just so I’m clear, I will be reporting to you directly and not Dr. Carpenter, yes? I want to make sure where my loyalty is before disclosing more.”

I frowned. “Yes, me. I told Alan the idea and he said he’d get me candidates.” I pushed when she didn’t say anything. “I assure you that we’re a team and this isn’t—what is going on, Ms. Dillon?”

She let out a slow breath. “I’m a bit confused why you would want a former private investigator for this position as you’re viewing it. It worries me that you didn’t know.”

I blinked at her for a full minute and then swallowed a chuckle. “I see.”

She frowned. “No, I don’t think you do. I know Dr. Carpenter from—he is a past client, Ms. Reed.”

I really did laugh then. “Yes, I do understand.” I went on when she seemed hesitant. “You’re worried Alan wants you to give him dirt on me and I wasn’t going to know this part of your job history.”

“To put it bluntly, yes, and I want no part of that.”

I nodded. Fair enough. “Alan and I are truly a team. He is the only person here I allow to speak for me. You’re here because I need more eyes and ears. You’re meant to spy, but not on me, Ms. Dillon. You’re meant to spy for me. That’s where Alan’s head is. I promise you that.”

“You want me to spy on the department heads that I’m going to be working for,” she hedged.

“No, spy is too harsh a word,” I corrected after a moment. “Keep your ears open. You’ll be around the hospital and the gossip, people talking all of the time. I need another right hand and honestly, someone with a background in investigation is exactly what I need too.”

I nodded when she cleared her throat. I gave Mandy as the example and how I still didn’t have the information I needed.

Understanding filled her eyes. “Yes, I see. Off-the-books background checks into potential high-positioned applicants would be useful when so much is at stake.”

I snorted. “Hell, get me more dirt on the board so we can get them out. I know that’s on Alan’s list and he’ll probably give you that task too so I’m not involved. He likes to try and keep me out of the dirty parts. He’s a sweet uncle figure like that.”

“I’m fine with that, but I would like that kept off my official job role,” she told me. She sighed when I gave her a look like I needed more than that. “Dr. Carpenter called me at a perfect time, and while I’m overqualified for this position, I need it.”

The desperation in her aura worried me and I moved from behind my desk to sit in the chair next to her. “Tell me what’s going on, Ms. Dillon, and I’ll do my best to help. I protect my people, and if you’re going to be making our lives easier, we need to know how to protect you too.”

She looked overwhelmed, and I got the impression she wasn’t a woman who was overwhelmed often. “This is going to be a bit much for an interview, so I apologize for that.”

“You’ve already got the job if Alan knows you and trusts you this much to put you next to me. So now tell me as your boss who needs to know,” I said gently. The gratitude in her aura was a bit much, so she was definitely struggling.

Poor woman.

“I worked hard in my PI business. Skipping a lot and making sacrifices so I could make it on my own and not have to rely on my outdated family.” The look she gave me spoke volumes.

Yes, we were both vampires and women. I knew exactly what she was talking about. Of all of the supe species, vampires were the most sexist, and too many still had antiquated views of the position of a woman.

“I met my mate and fell in love,” she continued.

“They objected and disowned me which was fine by me. There was no love from them, only possession. But as much as I hate him now, he gave me our two wonderful children who I love to bits.” She let out a slow breath.

“I was the breadwinner so he could be a stay-at-home father.

“I was jealous of how much time he got with them and bitter that he could do more to help me be home—include me more, but life happens.” She swallowed loudly and stared at her hands.

“Until I learned he’d been taking them to day care without my even knowing—without my even meeting the teachers or investigating the place. ”

“And why does a stay-at-home father need day care unless dropping them off at the kiddie area at the gym or something?” I hedged, understanding the rage that flashed in her aura now.

“To spend all of his time with his mistress,” she bit out.

“For years. Since before I had my first child who is five.” She nodded when I couldn’t hide my disgust. “I’ll save you the disgusting details, but obviously we’re now divorcing.

Things got ugly fast since I make the money and he wants it.

Wants it all even and is using the kids as leverage. ”

Pieces fell into place. “And your job—working so much and the type of work was used against you.”

“Viciously,” she admitted. “And the judge is…” She shook her head. “He’s made it clear that I’m no kind of mother if I could work and not raise my kids—pushing all the babysitting onto their father like he’s a victim in this.”

I ran my tongue over my teeth. “And your attorney said?”