Page 24 of Severed Heart

Chapter Nine

DELPHINE

US PRESIDENT: GEORGE W. BUSH | 2001–2009

“THAT MAN CANNOThides his desire for you,” I tell her in a hushed tone, knowing every woman’s eyes are on Roman. He’s a rare type of handsome that is not common in Triple Falls—the face and build of a movie star, not a man who owns a factory.

However, as he walks through the floor each day, his eyes drift to only one woman, and it’s always the woman to my right. He has been enchanted by Diane since she started at the factory.

“He’s beautiful,” she agrees just as quietly, keeping her eyes down and continuing her work, “though everyone here hates him.”

“He is a thief,” I tell her, and she looks over to me.

“He shorts checks because we have no choices but to work here. If we report, we lose work visa. This is corruption I fight for. Corrupt mens like your Roman Horner.”

“I’m so sorry, and I promise you, he’s notmyRoman Horner.”

“Can you not speak about what he does to our checks?”

“I can barely talk to him, period. Our relationship isn’t in that place right now. And don’t change the subject again. Tell me about your Alain.”

“Nothing to report,” I say.

“Don’t clam up on me.” She pushes her arm to mine in a nudge, adding a tight smile.

“Clam?” I ask.

“Close up like a clam. Don’t shut me out.”

“Oh,” I say as her eyes search mine. Aside from Celine and Beau, Diane is my only ally working at the factory, and for good reason—one of them approaching us now.

“By lunch,” Donna snaps, dumping a plastic bin to purposefully ruin our progress, making it impossible to know which products we’ve already sorted.

“Bitch,” I snap, and Diane grabs my arm to stop me from gripping Donna’s hair and slapping heragain. The woman laughs and waves her fingers behind her to taunt me.

“Your husband looks to me because you areugly,” I taunt back, and Donna turns around and rushes toward me. Diane steps in front of her, and I laugh at her feeble attempt to charge me, waving my fingers like she did.

“Let her go, Diane,” I laugh, “I would love to show her who to respect.”

“For the love of God, Delphine,” Diane huffs, struggling to keep her back. “You’re going to get us both fired.”

“Worth it to teach this hag how to regard me!”

“Stay away from my husband, you whore!” Donna yells.

“Maybe if you know how tofuck, he would not swells his cock forme.”

“Your insults could use some work,” Diane chortles, still struggling.

“She understands my point,” I say, bored by the woman’s snapping jaws.

“Stop egging her on,” Diane grunts before shoving her back. “Enough!”

Diane finally pushes Donna away from our part of the line. Half of the factory takes notice as Donna stumbles, and Diane speaks up for those whispering and watching the spectacle. “If your husbands have wandering eyes when they pick you up, it’s not her fault. Check yourmen, ladies. They’re the ones with frothing mouths. Grow the hell up!”

I stick my tongue out at Donna before she stalks off. Diane gives me wary eyes as I tighten my gloves and turn back to sort out the mess the woman made.

“It will takeall dayfor us to fix this,” I hiss.