Love in Spades: Four Kings Security Book One (Four Kings Security #1)(8)
Colton had finished his business and washed his hands, when the sniffling turned into tears.
“Hey, do you need help?” Colton asked gently, making his way over. The young man gave a start. He’d clearly been so lost in thought he hadn’t even been aware Colton was there.
“Oh God, I’m sorry. Crying in the bathroom. This is so cliché and embarrassing. I should go home, but I forgot my wallet, and that asshole was supposed to have been my ride home, but then he probably wasn’t even going to take me home. Man, even that sounds cliché. I’m a walking cliché. I can’t believe this is happening to me. No, of course it’s happening to me. It’s exactly the kind of thing that would happen to me.” The more he paced, the more distraught he seemed to be getting.
“What’s your name?”
“Joshua.” He wiped at his eyes and pressed his lips together, most likely to hold back more tears.
“Joshua, why don’t you start from the beginning.”
“It’s pathetic. I’m pathetic. I really thought….” He shook his head, fresh tears welling in his eyes.
“You’re not pathetic. You’re upset. Tell me what happened.”
“Long story short? I got a new job as an assistant for a big law firm downtown, and I thought I’d been hired because I am damned good at what I do. Turns out I was hired because I was a ‘hot piece of ass.’ My boss’s exact words.” Joshua took the tissue Colton handed him. “Thank you. He brought me along tonight to meet an important new client. Asshole wanted to fuck me in the back rooms. When I said no, he kept trying until I pushed him. He got pissed and told me not to bother coming to the office tomorrow, how I was nothing but a hot piece of ass.”
“He fired you because you wouldn’t let him fuck you?”
Joshua nodded. “I even moved because he asked me to. He said I needed to be closer to the office in case he needed me, and he’d make sure the firm reimbursed me. I had to dip into my savings, but with my new salary, it would be okay. I could pay that back in and finally start paying off my student loans, and now I don’t even know how I’m going to pay my rent next month or my car payment. I won’t even be able to afford health insurance.” His bottom lip quivered before he broke off into a sob. “Oh God. What am I going to do?”
Colton gently laid a hand on Joshua’s shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze. “You’re going to thank your lucky stars you’re no longer working for that bastard. It’s going to be okay, Joshua. I promise.” He pulled out his wallet and one of his business cards, which he handed Joshua. “Call that number tomorrow morning and speak with Nadine, my executive assistant. She’ll be waiting for your call. One of our other executive assistants is leaving for a job in New York in a couple of months. In the meantime, he can train you on his duties. The pay and perks are very generous, and the company offers full health insurance coverage. We would love to have you at Connolly Maritime if you’re interested.”
Joshua’s jaw dropped, and his blue eyes went huge. He moved his gaze to the card in his hand, then up to Colton. “You…. Did you just offer me a job?”
Colton nodded. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “If you’re interested.” Joshua’s gaze turned wary, and Colton chuckled. “Google me. I can wait. Two n’s, two l’s in Connolly.”
Joshua worried his bottom lip between his teeth, his eyes back on the card in his hands.
“Go ahead. I won’t be offended. I like that you’re not taking my word for it.”
With a nod and a small smile, Joshua pulled out his phone and tapped away at his screen. Colton knew what he’d find. He’d been featured in Forbes Magazine more than once, along with a host of other magazines and websites connected to the business world. There were pictures of him at charity events, parties, tournaments, races. The more Joshua scrolled through the information on his phone, the wider his eyes became.
“Oh my God.” His head shot up, and he gaped at Colton. “You really are Colton Connolly. My boss has talked about you.”
Colton scrunched up his nose. “I don’t think I want to know.”
“He was hoping to get himself invited to the White Party on Fisher Island.”
“What’s your boss’s name?”
“Ted Booker.”
“Yeah, Ted Booker is never getting an invite. The White Party on Fisher Island is hosted by an old family friend and current business associate. Booker will be lucky if he’s allowed on the island.” Most people had no idea how much power and sway Connolly Maritime had in the state of Florida. Colton wasn’t one to throw his weight around, but if it was to teach a man like Ted Booker a lesson, then he’d happily do it.
“You could have your pick of anyone you wanted for this job. Why would you help me? You don’t even know me.”
“Intuition. I have a good feeling about you, Joshua. You’re not going to let me down, are you?”
Joshua shook his head emphatically. “No, sir.” Tears welled in his eyes again, and he threw his arms around Colton. “Thank you so much, Mr. Connolly! I swear I won’t let you down.”
Colton chuckled and patted Joshua’s back. “I know you won’t. Everything’s going to be fine.”