Page 77 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband

"Dr. Bennett," he says pleasantly. "Perfect timing. I have some paperwork for you."

He hands me the documents, and my heart stops as I read the header:

Notice of Immediate Termination for Policy Violations.

"You have one hour to clear out your office," Harrison continues, his voice dripping with false sympathy. "Security will escort you out when you're finished."

CHAPTER 18

DAX

I'm in the middle of explaining to Kevin why his dating advice is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine when my phone explodes with texts that make my blood turn to fucking ice.

Chen

Emergency. Harrison's office. NOW.

Martinez

Get to admin wing. Tessa needs you.

Torres

Dude where the fuck are you? This is bad.

"Shit." I'm already moving, leaving Kevin mid-sentence about some girl from his marketing class. "Something's wrong with Tessa."

The walk to Harrison's office feels like skating through quicksand while my brain conjures every possible nightmare scenario. But nothing prepares me for what I see when I round the corner: Tessa standing outside Harrison's office witha security guard at her elbow, holding a cardboard box like it contains the ashes of her career.

Her face is pale but composed, that professional mask firmly in place even though I can see the devastation in her hazel eyes. She's wearing the navy blazer that makes her look untouchable and competent, but her hands are shaking slightly as she grips the box.

"What the hell is going on?" I demand, loud enough that half the administrative wing probably hears me.

The security guard actually has the balls to step between us. "Sir, you need to?—"

"I need to what?" I'm close enough now that I can see Tessa's been crying, and the protective rage that floods through me is so intense I'm surprised I don't spontaneously combust. "Get the fuck away from her."

"Dax." Tessa's voice is steady, but I catch the tremor underneath. "It's okay."

"No, it's really fucking not okay." I look at the security guard like he's something I'd scrape off my skate. "What's in the box?"

"Her personal belongings," the guard says with all the personality of wet cardboard. "Ms. Bennett has one hour to clear out her office and surrender her building access."

"One hour?" The words come out like a growl. "For what?"

That's when Harrison appears in his doorway wearing the kind of smile that makes me want to introduce his face to my fist. "Mr. Kingston. Perfect timing."

"Harrison." I don't try to hide the contempt in my voice. "What the fuck did you do?"

"I terminated Dr. Bennett's employment for policy violations. I thought you might be interested to know that your Boston deadline has been moved up."

My stomach drops like I just took a slap shot to the gut. "What?"

"Midnight tonight. The Bruins need an answer, and given the current... complications... I thought you might want to expedite your decision."

I look between Harrison's smug face and Tessa's carefully blank expression, and suddenly everything clicks into place. This isn't about policy violations or professional standards. This is about Harrison forcing my hand.

"You son of a bitch."