Page 44 of No Holds Barred

“I told you that I’d have your back.” Hope handed the iPad over. “I just wish that I could be there the entire time that you have to deal with her.”

“Well, the initial meeting is over, and she didn’t catch me by surprise like she wanted to, so that’s one up on me.” Angelica rolled her shoulders.

“I’m sorry about Eva.”

“Don’t be. She doesn’t know the extent of my injuries, and I’d rather keep it that way.”

Hope nodded her understanding. “And Leanne? How did you know she didn’t get that job?”

“Because she asked me for a reference. And unlike the last time, when I just wanted her out of my hotel and out from under me, I decided I wasn’t going to lie in the letter.”

“Really?” Hope furrowed her brow at that. “So what did you tell them?”

“The truth.” Angelica reached down and touched Hope’s forearm. “I told them that Leanne is very good at following instructions when she wants to, but that she also has a history of harassment in the workplace, particularly with upper management, and while she is competent, it often comes with the cost of personality conflicts.”

“She harassed you?”

“I like how that’s all you take from that conversation.” Angelica frowned.

“You never told me.”

“There’s a lot I haven’t told you. Namely, two years ago when we parted ways, she told me never to talk to her again. So why is she back here? This week of all weeks? And don’t for a second think it’s because she’s a bleeding heart and cares for my wellbeing.”

“I didn’t.” Hope bit her lip and shook her head, no idea why Leanne would be here. She didn’t know her that well.

“I don’t know why she’s here, but it’s because she needs something from me. Whether it’s a letter of recommendation, a job, money?—”

“Money?”

Angelica hummed and nodded. “Is that Ashlee?” Angelica pointed toward reception.

“It is. Let me introduce the two of you.”

“Thank you.”

Hope led the way toward the reception desk, walking slower than normal to make sure Angelica kept up with her. She wasn’t going to let Angelica face this ordeal on her own. And today confirmed that more than ever.

Chapter

Fifteen

“What do you want for the hotel?” Angelica asked, facing Ashlee from where she was sitting at the desk in the small office. Rex had put her behind it to keep her foot out of the shot. They wanted to avoid showing just how injured she was if they could manage it.

Ashlee bit her lip nervously and shook her head, but that was the only answer she gave.

Angelica sighed. Was this because Ashlee wasn’t comfortable having a conversation with her or was it because she genuinely didn’t know the answer? Angelica twiddled the stylus between her fingers as she looked Ashlee over and debated the best way to get her question answered.

“I think what Ange means is, in five years, where do you want to see the hotel?” Leanne chimed in, her voice much softer than Angelica’s had been.

Ashlee’s eyes lit up. “Oh! I uh… I don’t know.” She faced Angelica again. “I guess just profitable.”

Oh, how had Ashlee ended up in this position?

“Ashlee,” Angelica softened her voice to match Leanne’s a bit better. It was clear Ashlee needed to have a gentle hand. “How did you end up owning The Godfrey?”

Leanne jumped in again. “I don’t see how that’s relevant.”

“It’s relevant,” Angelica fired back, sending Leanne a glare. She hated being questioned, and she really despised being questioned by Leanne of all people. She flicked her gaze to Rex, wondering if he was picking up on this tension. “Ashlee?”