Page 166 of Savage Suit

I opened my mouth.

“As long as it is above the current ten grand.”

Rolling my eyes, I snorted. “Then I want a million per contract, payable under any circumstances, including early termination, and a half million for each goal I achieve.”

“Done,” Reid said with a shrug. “I think you have about ten goals to reach between the two contracts.”

“Ten goals?” I echoed, believing he understood my facetiousness at the amount I threw out. “What are they?”

“Tied into your bonuses.”

“You know what I mean, Reid!” I flared. “You’re telling me I had eleven goals to meet.”

“I am?”

“Didn’t I receive a bonusformeeting a goal?”

He frowned, before understanding dawned and he nodded. “Yes, yes, of course! You did indeed.” He cleared his throat. “That means we owe you four hundred ninety thousand dollars.”

I gasped as he pulled out his cellphone and started punching in numbers.

“No!” I huffed. “Don’t you dare! Are you insane? I was joking.”

His finger hovered above his phone. “Are you sure?”

“Positive!”

“Fine,” Reid said unhappily, shoving his phone back into his pocket. “Don’t you have a goal of having a big bank account?”

“I am. Your point?”

“My point? You’re kidding me?”

“I’m not,” I said stiffly. “I don’t know what you’re getting at.”

“You’re declining a guaranteed two million dollars and an extra five hundred thousand dollars. Why?”

“What do you meanwhy? I don’t deserve that much money, Reid. We both know it. Theonlyreason that amount is even on the table is because…because…” I couldn’t finish the sentence because I felt sick at the idea.

“Noah’s cock doesn’t rule his business decisions, Ryan,” Reid snapped. “Even if it did, why wouldn’t you accept? Whyshouldn’tyou accept?”

“Because I want to earn a salary based on my talents not my pussy,” I bit out, too angry to filter myself.

Drawing in a deep breath, he shook his head. “Life’s short. Why worry about why you’re getting such a salary? You would achieve your dream in months. Weeks, if Amage gives the contract to Sauncier.”

“I don’t know how to make you understand why I feel as I do.”

“Do you understand why?” he asked, not unkindly.

Did I? I wasn’t sure anymore. I was so proud of my degree, earned because of my hard work. “I have always tried to lead by example, Reid. It’s what my parents would’ve expected of me.” At the words, I lowered my lashes, still so hurt over everything I’d learned.

“They aren’t here any longer and you would lead by example if you took the money you asked for. Didn’t you tell Quinn to charge higher than what she intended for her work?”

It didn’t surprise me she’d told Reid what I advised. “It’s different,” I insisted. “Quinn is an independent contractor. I’m not. Unless I win the lottery where I never have to work again, where could I go once my contract ends to continue to make so much money? Such a salary might price me right out of any other positions.”

“Or open all types of doors to you. If you met all the goals, you would add several million to your bank account.”

“There would be no cushion. Purchasing a house would put a dent in the money. Without adding to my savings account, my expenses would eat it up until I was broke again.” Suspicion welled into me. “Did Noah put you up to this?”