Page 11 of Gluttony (Seven Deadly Sins #4)

Chapter Nine

Bowie

“Where did you get those scones? I don’t recognize the logo on the bag.” I grin at Drew’s questions. Not only am I pretty sure I just won him over with a snack, but the way he’s chewing like a Neanderthal is messing with his well put together facade.

Drew is a scone whore and I’m going to milk that weakness until it’s a dried up well. After all, he’s Orion’s gatekeeper and I need to get into that fortress. Especially after what happened with Hadley because I have no doubt he yapped away to his brother and best friend about my identity.

Although, I have to admit I handled that little scandal quite well. Even River backed me up.

“It’s a new bakery that opened up two doors down from my studio. You’re my first taste-tester.” He’s not, but men like to feel important like that, and stroking Drew’s ego is going to be just as important as stroking my bosses’ cocks. After all, I can’t get to said cocks unless I get close to them.

“I recognize the green tea but what is that little jolt…” I don’t have time to answer before a voice behind me takes the floor.

“Lime. This bitch just found my new obsession and I’m here for it.

” Hayes’s secretary, Crosby, sits on Drew’s desk and swipes the last of the scone sitting on the paper bag.

“I’m not supposed to like you, just so we’re clear, but if you keep bringing these around I might pretend hard enough that you won’t notice the difference.

” I frown at his words like I’m offended—which I’m not.

“So, what you’re saying is that your loyalty to Hayes is one ingredient away from imploding?” Hayes hates me, that much is clear.

“No, ma’am. Never that. Hayes Beckett is the difference between me living under a bridge or in a sweet little one bedroom in Chelsea overlooking the Hudson.

” He pops the last of the scone in his mouth and makes a moaning noise that has Drew rolling his eyes.

The theatrics are on point, about as perfect as his makeup.

“I’m confused. If not Hayes, then who?” As I take a sip of my coffee, Crosby stands then pats Drew on the head like he’s been a good boy before giving me his full attention.

“Abby, of course. You know, the poor woman you’re replacing?

” I do my best not to flinch. It’s not a secret that what Mickey had done to her pisses me off.

“Mr. Beckett has theories, and well, I love a good whodunnit, don’t you?

” With a wink, Crosby wipes his mouth and walks back to his office with Drew and I watching him.

“Don’t mind him. His snark is worse than his bite and if you can get past that, you’ll find he’s excellent at his job, which is why Hayes will never replace him.

” At Drew’s praises, I make a mental note to get nice and cozy with Crosby as well.

If anything, I’ll walk away from this con with a better insight on fashion and work ethic.

“Duly noted.” With a smile, I take the last coffees and scones to Ginny, who’s been holed up in her office not participating in our pre eight o’clock gossip time. “See you later, Drew. Oh and could you get Orion to give me his list of tasks for this week, please? I’ll be at my desk, organizing.”

“Sure thing.”

Poking my head into Ginny’s office, I smile at the serious look on her face as she types away on her computer.

“Nobody likes a lurker, Bella. Or should I call you Bowie?” Ah, fuck. I sigh, taking a step inside and setting the hot deliciousness on her desk. Hopefully the scone will bring her back on Team B.

“Hadley told you, huh?” They say it's best to not fight it when you get hit by a massive wave. The way I explained it to Hadley, this isn’t a big deal and people change their names all the time.

Ginny stops typing and gives me her full attention. “Should I be concerned?”

I frown. “Because I changed my name? No. I wasn’t a fan, that’s all there is to it.” I love my name, it's the only thing my parents left me of any significance.

“I’m concerned about your tastes. Anyone named after David Bowie shouldn’t dismiss the honor.” Right there with you, sister. Thing is, I can’t back down now, can I?

“What can I say? Twilight changed my life.” Kill. Me. Now.

“That scone better be the best thing in Manhattan because choosing vampires over a musical genius should be cause for termination.” Ginny pulls the scone out of its bag and brings it to her nose.

“Hadley won’t like that you changed bakeries.

He’s a child of habit, that one.” As she chastises me, she brings the pastry to her mouth and takes a tentative bite.

I’m pretty fucking confident that Hadley will fall to his knees and beg me for more. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself because I need this plan to work or else Mickey is going to lose his shit.

Judging by Ginny’s wide eyes from her first taste and the subtle moan that escapes her mouth when she swallows, I’m guessing I’ve won her over as well. Three for three this morning. It’s going to be a great fucking week, I can feel it.

For the next hour, I get acquainted with my new job tasks. Little by little, they’re adding new responsibilities to my plate, which are just a step above coffee fetching and scone hunting. Last week they tested my endurance, this week, however, I’m thinking it’s my organizational skills.

They don’t know this, but this is where I shine.

Living in a foster home demanded that all of my shit be accounted for, to within an inch of their lives.

That our time be spent wisely and our bags ready to grab at a moment’s notice.

Because Mickey was always concentrating on his computing skills, I took care of both of our things.

I’m an organizational guru and could probably make a ton of money on how-to videos. But what’s the fun in that?

The phone rings just as I’m closing out my Excel sheet.

“Bo-Be…Yes?” Fuck, what name am I supposed to use now?

“It’s hot when you stutter. I wonder if I can make that happen while I’m fucking your arse?” Hmm, I wonder how much money I can get from a harassment suit…

“Hi, Hadley, what can I do for you?” Fuck, I don’t mean for my voice to be low and husky like that, but here we are.

“That’s a loaded question, Bowie. Sure you want the answer to it?” I don’t have time to volley back a petulant response so I do my best impression of an adult and wait him out.

“Suit yourself. We’re in Hayes’s office. You need to come see us.” This shouldn’t be a surprise. Lying at a job interview is pretty serious shit, I’m guessing. Still, I need to go in there with my fighting spirit intact. There’s no way I’m telling Mickey I got fired.

“On my way.” I sit there for a minute, phone in hand and poised at my ear as though still talking to someone.

The different scenarios of how this is going to play out are too many to anticipate.

Obviously, Hadley told Orion and Hayes about our conversation on Saturday night.

It’s not like I wasn’t expecting this, my entire Sunday was just one long freakout about how to make this right.

Mickey doesn’t know and I need to keep it that way. Which means I need to beg for this job. Literally get down on my knees and beg.

Mouth open like a good girl.

Okay, maybe not like that …yet. Soon, though, or else what the fuck am I even doing here?

With a deep breath in, I put the phone back on the receiver and stand. I'm a strong, independent woman and I can handle these three men, no matter how angry they are. I may not know them very well, but I’m pretty sure that if Ginny loves them—Hadley in particular—then they can’t be all that bad.

I hope.

The sound of laughter echoes down the hall as I approach Hayes’s office.

Ginny looks up from her tablet and gives me a close-lipped smile that reeks of pity.

My returning grin—forced and a little too wide—says please don’t let them tear me into pieces.

Her eyes avert and I’m pretty sure that’s my death certificate signed in the blood from my warm veins.

Fuck, why am I like this?

Stop being so fucking dramatic, Bowie!

With a hesitant knock on the already opened glass door, I straighten my spine and get ready for the guillotine.

“You wanted to see me?” My gaze scans the three men as I try to gauge their moods. Hayes is predictable with his stern eyes and permanent scowl. We’re in his office, which means he’s leading this showdown.

Orion offers me kind eyes as if that’ll lessen the blow that’s about to hit me in the face, while Hadley is a different beast altogether. I can’t decide if he’s a lion, hungry for a meal, or a wolf ready to protect the pack.

Maybe both. Probably.

When he runs his tongue across the top of his teeth, my question is answered at once. It’s definitely both.

“Yes. Sit.” Under any other circumstance, I’d be telling Hayes to fuck off with his condescending, holier-than-thou attitude, but this is what I signed up for and I’m not ruining it all over a misunderstanding. Okay, it’s a fucking scam, but they don’t know that.

I sit, all eyes trained only on me.

“Hadley filled us in on your little white lie.” As Hayes spouts his words, his mouth twists as if he’s just bitten into a lemon. “What would you like for us to call you? Bella or Bowie?”

I narrow my eyes at my boss, pretty fucking sure I’m being punked.

“You’re not firing me?” My question is directed at Hayes, and just as he raises a condemning brow at me, Orion cuts off whatever it is he was about to say.

“No. Name changes aren’t a sufficient cause for termination. As you told Hadley, people do it all the time.” Okay. My spirits begin to soar, my back straight as a steel bar with a nervous grin that would probably scare small children as I realize I’m going to be okay. It’s fine.

“We do, however, need you to take some of Ginny’s workload from her. Are you familiar with Mediabase and SoundScan?” Oh, am I ever. I studied for this when we first started planning the con.