Page 61 of Hate You Up Close

“Answer me,” I demand, digging my fist into the guy’s back while still clutching his jacket between my fingers.

“I…Uh…We…” he stutters, looking to his friends for help. Begging them with his helpless stare.

I squint my eyes, straining to read the small print on the badges dangling from their suits.

Internal Audit.

It looks like all three of them work in the Internal Audit department.

Today must be my lucky day because I just left a meeting with their boss, Roy Andrews.

Roy is a big wig at the bank, and much like me, he doesn't take shit from anyone

Unlike me, he is huge on respect. If he heard the things they were just spewing about a woman that works at the bank, he would fire their asses immediately. That’s how strict Roy is.

After another thirty seconds of watching them stand around with their mouths wide open like fucking idiots, I pull the manager card.

“I’m sure Roy would love to be filled in on your interesting conversation. A conversation in which you’re having out in the open about an employee of the bank.”

I purse my lips together, dramatically tapping my pointer finger against my chin.

“What is it that you said?” I furrow my brows. “That you want to fuck her so hard that the executive floor would hear her screaming?”

“No, please,” one of the men across from me begs, shaking his head in a panic. “Please don’t.”

“Who thefuckwere you talking about?” I ask again. “This is your last chance.”

I already know who they’re talking about, but I want to hear them say it.

Also, I take a mental note of the names of each of their badges. Whether they fess up or not, I will be speaking with Roy, because fuck them for thinking they can talk about Roxanne like that. Like she’s nothing but a piece of meat.

The only person who’s allowed to talk or even think about Roxanne, naked and moaning, is me. Nobody else. She’s mine, even if just in my dreams.

“R-Roxanne Taylor,” one of them croaks weakly.

My skin heats with rage. Hearing her name from his lips makes me want his blood on my hands.

“And who is Zach?” I growl. “What department is he in? Don’t make me ask twice,” I threaten.

Say your fucking prayers, Zach.

“Zachary Miller. He…He’s an auditor. He’s on our team.”

Perfect. They all report to Roy, the biggest hardass at the company.

I nod slowly, satisfied with the information they’ve given me. But I refuse to say thank you. These dumb fucks don’t deserve anything from me.

I let go of the guy's jacket, quickly shoving him towards his friends before I do something I can’t take back. He goes flying into their chests, and I think I even hear the little shit whimper.

What a pathetic piece of shit.

I narrow my eyes, slowly dragging my threatening gaze across each of their faces. I lower my voice to a tone that even sends a chill down my spine.

“Keep her name out of your fucking mouths. Don’t look at her. Don’t speak to her. Don’t even fucking breathe near her. Do you understand?”

They all nod, their chins moving up and down like fucking bobbleheads.

“Do you understand?” I repeat through gritted teeth.