Beholden (The Belonging Duet, #2)(57)

“You should be,” Piper sneers.

I clench my teeth while balling my fist, ready to punch this bitch in the face. It’s as if she’s incapable of being a decent human being. “Why are you in my office?”

She gives her classic smile and I fight the urge to wipe it off her.

“Do you mean my new office?” She looks around and waves at Sean who’s watching the two of us.

My eyes close and I choke the bile clawing it’s way up my throat. I’ve never been happier about my move than I am in this moment. “You were hired?”

“Yup,” she sharply enunciates the single syllable. “Isn’t that great? We’re going to work together every single day.”

I give a half laugh and roll my eyes. “Didn’t they tell you?” I lean in conspiratorially, “I don’t work here anymore.”

Her eyes widen briefly, letting me know I caught her off guard. “You were fired?”

“Fired? No, don’t be silly.” I pause and smirk. “I was given the California office. I’ll be running it. So in a way …” I tap my chin and trail off.

“Isn’t that nice for you,” Piper says sarcastically.

“Yeah, it is. Hey, come to think of it, I guess you work for me.” I smile when I realize there’s a fraction of truth to that statement.

“The hell I do.” Piper shifts so she’s standing taller.

I’ve never been an evil person, however at this moment I’m enjoying every moment of her discomfort. She’s caused her fair share in my life and I’m all too happy to return the favor.

I let out a dramatic sigh. “Yeah, you kinda do. It’s okay though. You probably won’t last long here anyway. Our company doesn’t take well to lying, vicious sluts who don’t know how to be professional.”

“Really? Do they take well to sleeping with the clients?”

I rein in my reaction because that’s exactly what she’d want. I stand there unwilling to break eye contact. There’s no way in hell I’m going to back away from her.

After a few seconds, she sighs and puts her hands on her hips. “Oh, Cat, let’s not fight. It doesn’t matter anyway because I’ll have your job just like I had your man—or should I say men,” she goads me but I couldn’t care less about the only man she actually has had.

Laughing at her bullshit, I smile and walk away. She’s not worth the time.

“Oh, Catherine?” she calls out, stopping me.

Unwilling to make a scene in my office I turn and walk closer to keep my voice quiet. “What?” I ask acerbically.

“I saw your press conference online, I meant to call you but I knew I’d be seeing you soon.”

My palms begin to sweat and I feel dizzy.

Piper begins before I can say a word. “You looked great, but I wish I recorded it so I could’ve seen your face again when you found out about Mr. Cole’s wife. That must’ve been a huge blow. I was really happy to talk to Linda that morning. She’s a great journalist and was eager to learn more about his story. How is his wife by the way?”

My stomach plummets and my fingernails are piercing the skin of my palm. “You don’t know anything.”

She smirks and walks towards me slowly with a gleam in her eyes, knowing she’s got me. “Well, it appears you don’t either. Such a shame. Another man, another betrayal.” She sighs and puts her arm around my shoulder as if we’re great friends having a friendly conversation. “I can’t believe he never mentioned her to you. It was one of the first things we talked about. You would think considering your high-ranking position, you’d know enough to ask the basic questions. The horror. Just think, you’re as bad as me.” She laughs and I shrug out of her grasp.

“I’m not anything like you. I don’t sleep with men who are knowingly involved with other people. I don’t take pleasure in hurting others. And I sure as hell don’t get fired from every job I’ve been at. No, you and I have nothing in common.” I turn and walk away.

Fucking Piper. One day, karma is going to throat punch her and I’m going to laugh.

I forego the bathroom and head into my office and shut the door. Taylor jumps at the sound but I don’t say a word. I’m sure all the color is drained from my face.

“What’s wrong?” she asks concerned.

Is “everything” a good answer? Right now it feels like the floor is falling out from under me. It was bad enough losing him, but to know Piper knew about his wife when I didn’t guts me. When are the surprises going to stop hurting? I don’t understand how everyone around me seemed to know, but I was left in the dark. Every time I get close to being anywhere near feeling okay, something else slams me in the face about Jackson. The only saving grace is I’m leaving in a week and a half. Thank God I won’t have to work with her.

“Piper apparently was hired.”

Her mouth falls open. “Here?” she practically screams. “As in this office?”

“Yes, she waved to Mr. Cartright and walked over letting me know she and I would be working together.” I groan and flop in my chair. “What in the world could the partners be thinking?”

“She looks good on paper, and in front of a camera.”

“She’s ugly everywhere else.”