Page 121 of Pack of Crooks

Biting my tongue, I toss the generic to-go cup the company keeps on hand in the trash and head to the elevator. I’m pretty sure Tristan likes telling people what to do because it makes him feel powerful. Like the king of the world.

I step inside the elevator, turn to rest against the back wall, faltering when I see him step inside as well. My heart skips a beat. Why is he following me?

“Did you need something else, sir?”

Scoffing, he stands before me. I eye the doors behind him, but they’re slowly sliding closed. In this small space, I realize just how tall he is. Keeping my breath steady and features smooth, I wait for him to degrade me or tell me how much I suck, or deliver whatever other demand he has in store.

“How long have you known about Ellen and Vivian?”

“I don’t?—”

“Don’t lie to me,” he barks.

Unlike when my pack does it, I fight his command. I happily let my alphas compel me. But Tristan? Fuck him. Still. I have to play along. “Not long,” I admit.

“What do you think about it?”

“I’m happy if they’re happy,” I say with a shrug.

He steps toward me, catching a strand of my hair and tugging on it. “What do you think of the boss fucking the employee?”

Is he coming on to me right now? I think I’m going to throw up. “I think the boss shouldn’t be distracted when there are bigger problems to address.”

Squinting, he tugs on my hair once more. “But maybe a good fuck is exactly what the boss needs.”

A lump lodges in my throat and I try not to hurl all over his suit. The elevator doors open and three people join us, saving me from having to respond. Tristan scowls, gives me a pointed look, then exits the elevator, striding across the lobby floor.

“Are you getting out?” someone asks.

“Uh, no,” I rasp, shaking my head and wrapping my arms around myself. There’s no way I’m leaving the building with Tristan in a mood like that. Every instinct tells me it wouldn’t end well.

The elevator slowly makes its way back up to the executive floor. I have to plant that virus today. Tristan can’t be trusted, and the way he looked at me a few minutes ago?

It’s disgusting.

Exhaling, I head to my desk but falter when Vivian emerges from Ellen’s office, a box of her things in her hand.

“What happened?”

Vivian sniffs, eyes watery. “She fired me, and—” She cuts off with a pained sound.

Ellenbroke up with her.

“Oh, babe. I’m so sorry.” I give her a big hug, wishing I could smother the hurt.

Vivian shakes in my arms, but pulls back after a few moments, takes a deep breath, and leashes some of the tears. “This was my dream job.”

I nod. “I know.”

The self-blame and shame practically scream across her features, but really, this is Ellen and Tristan’s fault. Their fight shouldn’t have hurt Vivian. Then again, Tristan doesn’t seem to care who he hurts. I had higher hopes for Ellen.

“Do you want me to come over later? I’ll bring food and wine.”

A tear slips down her cheek. “That would be nice.”

“Text me, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispers, clearing her throat and scowling at the CTO’s nosy admin. “Hey, Samantha, why don’t you go choke on a dick?”