Page 28 of Empire State Enemies

I swallow hard. “Maybe we could sit—”

“Walk.” She doesn’t even glance back.

“Right.” I launch into my rehearsed spiel, hating how grovel-y I sound. “I’ve been working really hard, early, late, weekends too . . . Hit all my goals, you said so yourself. So I hoped I could get a salary bump to reflect that.”

She stops abruptly and I nearly crash into her.

For a long moment she just stares at me in silence, and I worry she’ll fire me on the spot. My confidence withers under her gaze.

Finally, she speaks, voice calmly pleasant. “A raise? You think you deserve a raise?” She clucks her tongue in disappointment.

“I hoped—”

“I’ve invested everything back into this company, you know why?”

I stare at her blankly, panic rising. Where’s she going with this? “Um, why?”

“Because I consider you allfamily.” She pauses, letting the word sink in for effect. “My blood, sweat, tears, and soul builtthis place. And I’ve invested just as much into mentoring each and every one of you.”

I nod while imagining pouring rat poison into her morning triple-shot soy latte.

“Knowledge is dollars,” she says.

“I appreciate that, but I’m still paid less than—”

“I took a chance hiring you,” she interrupts, holding up a hand. “I could’ve easily found someone more qualified.”

“But with Shelly gone, I’m doing her work too—”

“And getting more exposure and experience.”

I’m dangerously close to losing it and throwing myself on the floor, thrashing until she caves or calls security.

There’s no plan B here. I need this raise.

Sure, I feel temporary relief now that Deano’s hustle meant covering this care home installment. But I still have a ticking time bomb. Another massive payment comes due in five months, twenty-eight days and roughly six nerve-shredding hours.

Rumor has it Vicky motorboated a waitress at last year’s Christmas party. For a wild moment, I consider ripping open my blouse, shrieking “Willthishelp convince you?”

She fixes me with a stern, disappointed gaze. “You’re practically getting one-on-one training with me, Lexi. Girls would commit murder for your job. Think hard about that. I have meetings. We’ll discuss this another time.”

And she’s off, trotting down the hall, leaving me quivering in frustration. Well, that was a complete waste of time and dignity.

I dig my nails into my palms, willing myself not to break down as she disappears around the corner. I think about asking the maintenance guy where the rat poison is kept.

Hot tears prickle as I storm down the hall. Breathe in, breathe out.

I’m monumentally fucked. Vicky just crushed my last shred of hope under her expensive heels.

Fingers suddenly squeeze my ribs and I yelp, whirling around so fast I nearly crash into the giant plant.

Kayla frowns. “I’m guessing the chat with the Supreme Leader didn’t go so great?”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Ya think? She shot down my raise fast.”

“Crap. Well, there has to be something . . .” Kayla snaps her fingers. “Ooh, what if you pretended to have another job offer? She might counter to keep you.”

“I’m applying for millions of other jobs. I just don’t know if I can call her bluff.”