Two Bar Mitzvahs (No Weddings #3)(56)

I shot him a deadpan look. “Nice image. Who the f*ck’s gonna to protect you from me, with you being one with her ass all day?”

He slid his forearms across the kitchen table, staring hard at me. “To protect our girl from harm, I’d take a bullet. Even from you.”

The corners of my lips twitched. “Thanks, man.” Mase had our backs as a good friend. It meant the world. “Somehow I don’t think Hannah would be thrilled about having a security detail. Try explaining to my woman that you’re there to protect her from an irrationally vengeful ex.”

He tilted his head, arching a brow. “I could pull it off.”

For a crazy minute, I considered his half-serious offer. “Nah. Not needed. Hannah has expressed repeatedly she wants to knock Madison on her ass.”

He nodded and leaned forward. “Sure thing. Offer stands. And whatever else you need, it’s yours.” He reached out a closed fist.

I nodded and knuckle-bumped him.

All the talk about Madison, and my earlier emails about Friday’s health inspections, fired an urgent need under my ass to confront Madison. “Okay, man. I gotta get going.” With a scrape of wooden chair legs, I stood, then grabbed my laptop and coffee mug.

An hour later, I showed up at the country club and phoned Suzanne from the lobby. “Hey, Suzanne, it’s Cade. Got a minute?”

“Sure, Mr. Michaelson. I’ll be right out.”

A few minutes later, Suzanne appeared in the hallway that led back to her office. I met her halfway. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go back to your office to talk.”

She gave me a short nod. “Absolutely.”

When we got there, I followed her in and closed the door. Suzanne took a seat at her desk, looking at me expectantly while I sat in the chair positioned against the wall.

I took a deep breath. Normally, I was a good read of people. And I sensed deep in my gut that Suzanne wasn’t loyal to Madison. Besides, Madison kept Suzanne on a really short leash with us, stepping all over her authority to handle our account. So I took a calculated risk.

“Suzanne, have you noticed anything unusual that Madison has done regarding our event—or us?”

Her brow furrowed. “I’m not sure I understand. Are you unhappy in some way with the event?”

“No. You’re doing a great job. We’re pleased in every way with how you have helped us. Let me explain.” I offered the details of our sabotage over the last month, including the two complaint-provoked health inspections.

Suzanne blinked hard, then stared at me as if she’d seen a ghost. “The other day I heard Madison on a phone call. She said she’d become ill after eating at a local establishment.”

Bingo.

She glanced down at her desk. “I have something to confess. When you were here for the sampling, Madison instructed me to bring you to my office and purposely delay you so she could speak with you privately. I overhead everything she said in the hallway afterward. I’m mortified that I had any part in that.”

I leaned back. “Thank you, Suzanne. Your honesty and observations are appreciated more than you realize. We’ve been waiting for a break like this to figure out what the hell’s been going on.”

Suzanne continued, “That’s not all. When I couldn’t secure the second photo booth, I looked into the two that were reserved for the weddings. I thought maybe we could double book one to be able to both use it that same day, if the times didn’t conflict. I found out one of the weddings was fake. It didn’t make any sense before. Now it seems to have an explanation.”

“Sure as f*ck does.” Damn. I wanted to kiss Suzanne.

I blew out a hard breath, my mind racing. “How much do you have on Madison to be able to report her actions to the club’s board members?”

Her brows drew together. “With what you’ve said, and the things I’ve witnessed, it’s enough. Our board takes our members concerns very seriously. Madison is harassing you, professionally and personally. That hallway conversation she had with you could be considered sexual harassment: our general manager made a sexual advance to a subcontractor hired by one of our members. I’m pretty sure the board will want to talk with you though.”

“I’m good with that. Give them my cell and email.” I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my knees. “Other than the board, please keep this between us.”

“I will. By the way, I was finally able to secure the photo booth once the rental company confirmed there was no wedding at the reserved location. So we’re on with two for Saturday.”

“Perfect.” I let out a sigh of relief. “I’m going to talk to Madison, confront her. I want her scrambling on defense; she’s been on offense for too long. I won’t mention a word about our conversation though. You do your thing with the board members.”

“Do you think it’s wise to meet with Madison if part of our complaint is about sexual harassment?”

I stood and gave her a nod. “Give me a few minutes. Then tell her I asked to meet with her in the front lobby. There will be plenty of witnesses there to see and hear our conversation.”

“Okay. I will.”

“Oh, and Suzanne?”

She glanced up at me.

“Thanks again. We owe you one. In fact, if you ever need a job at a country club, I will give you a glowing recommendation for ours or any of your choice.”