When she was convinced she’d done the best she could with the story, she rushed into Walt’s office. After the report aired, she was sure the police would string up the firm by their scrawny security necks. Finally, she’d get to tell a story the way she wanted.
She waltzed into his office. He looked up. “From the way you’re bouncing, you got something good.”
She’d handed him copies of all the documents. “I have the report ready to air.” She expected his eyes to shine and a rare smile to cross his face. Instead he scowled.
“You know damned well we can’t air this.” He shoved the pages back at her.
Her heart flipped. “Why not? Harman is stealing from people.” It wasn’t a case of a restaurant being dirty or women being taken advantage of. This was way worse. “Not only are they taking goods, but they’re stealing people’s faith in humanity.” Her body vibrated as her blood pressure rose.
“Harman is our biggest sponsor.”
“I know, but in this case, it shouldn’t matter. They are breaking the law.”
“That’s the way of corporate America.”
Bullshit. “So what you’re saying is that money is more powerful than the truth?”
“Sad as it might seem, that’s the case.”
He was wrong on so many levels. “If you won’t let me air this, I’ll take it to the Intrigue Sun, and then to the cops.”
“Then I’ll fire you.”
Her heart stopped. If she didn’t tell, she’d be an accessory to a crime. But if she said nothing, she’d be safe.
“You can’t do that.”
“Let’s be reasonable.” He picked up his pen and twirled it over his knuckles. “I think you’re overreacting here. Maybe the transition from Denver to here has been difficult for you. Why don’t you take a few days off? Go see your friends in Colorado.” He pulled out his drawer and extracted a checkbook. “In fact, the station will pay for your food and board for the weekend.”
“You’re trying to buy my silence?” She barely could speak the words.
“You know better than that. I can see you’re agitated and need a break. I want to help, that’s all.”
“What’s the bottom line here, Ich…Walt?”
“Drop the story. If you persist, young lady, I’ll see you don’t work in this state again. You have until tomorrow morning to tell me your decision.”
This job was the last link to success. Before she said anything she might regret, she turned and left. Tears spilled over her lashes, but she brushed them away. She had to get out of there. This wasn’t the end. Or was it?
She picked up her purse and rushed out, needing to think things through. She really wanted to expose the truth about a company that was stealing from potential clients. What they were doing was wrong, but if she went to the cops or to the newspaper, she’d lose her job.
She’d been poor and could never go there again. On her way home, she picked up a dinner from the Eatery. Cooking was the last thing on her mind. Maybe she’d have a nice glass of wine and a soak in the tube. There had to be something she could do and not end up in the unemployment line.
She sat on her sofa watching some mindless show on TV in her nightgown and robe when the doorbell rang. She hadn’t spoken with either Cody or Shane today. There was no way she could explain her situation and not get in trouble with them.
The bell rang again, followed by a knock. “We know you’re in there.”
That was Shane’s voice. She stood, wrapped the robe belt around her middle, and opened the door. Even the flowers in Cody’s hands and the grins on their faces couldn’t lift her out of her funk.
“Come on in.”
Cody picked her up and swung her around. “Our woman seems to be down. What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing.”
Shane ran a tender hand down her arm. “You’re upset about something. Tell us.”
She couldn’t hide her problems forever. “You want something to drink?”
Cody’s glance caught the wine bottle. “We’ll have what you’re having.”
She poured each of them a glass of wine. “Okay, I can tell you a little bit, but I’m not giving you details.”
She basically outlined the fact that she had a story in which a crime was being committed. “If I go to the police, or tell you, Cody, Walt will fire me.” She then told them that Walt had tried to buy her silence.
They didn’t ask for details and threw out possible suggestions for the next five minutes.
Cody shook his head. “There’s no way out other than to go to the cops.”
She couldn’t do that. They understood that she’d lose her job, but did they realize that by going on unemployment, her mom would be affected, too?
“I know I should, but it’s hard.”
Cody wrapped his arms around her. “We want what’s best for you.”
“Losing my job isn’t in my best interest.”
He leaned back. “You are a truth seeker. That’s what we love about you. Why change now?”
“You know why.”
“We know you. You won’t be able to live with yourself if you don’t do the right thing. The guilt will eat away at you.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t help.”
Cody stood, then Shane. “I wish we could make the decision for you, but it’s up to you. Sleep on it.” He kissed her forehead.
She could read between the lines. If she didn’t give up Harman Security, neither Cody nor Shane would love her again. “How about if this is the last time I cave?”
Shane stepped over. “Trust me when I say it will happen again. This is the third time. You need to make a decision about your future.”
They were right. “I’ll try.”
He squatted in front of her and took her hands in his. “Both Cody and I try to do what’s right. It’s never easy. We can’t let our needs or feelings get in the way of the truth.” He shrugged. “The Jessie we knew and loved used to fight for everything. You were the champion of the underdog. In your heart, you still are.” He let go of her hands and swiped a palm down his jaw. “You hated the establishment at one time. What happened to that woman?”
There went that love word again. Clearly, Shane didn’t mean it or they wouldn’t have been so harsh now. “Ask anything of me, but just don’t ask me to be poor. That’s not who I am anymore.”
“You’re right. You’re a journalist with an amazing talent. You do have possessions, but possessions don’t make the woman. We love you for who you are, and always will, but this isn’t you.”
One again, they were right. This wasn’t who she was deep inside. But damn, it wasn’t easy being true to oneself.
He nodded to Cody, and they both walked out.
If the ceiling had fallen or an earthquake had shaken the building, she wouldn’t have noticed. So numb she couldn’t move, Jessie remained more depressed than before. The choice was simple. Keep her job or lose the two men she loved. They didn’t say that, but that was what they meant. Tears streamed down her face and her body turned cold.
It was Cody and Shane who didn’t know what they wanted. If she were dirt-poor, they’d never love her. It would be like in high school all over again. Rich men didn’t love poor girls. She was in a no-win situation. The sages always said that when a person hit rock bottom, the only way was up.
They were dead wrong.
Chapter Thirteen
Jessie kept flipping the channels on the television all night long. Nothing held her attention. She debated her dilemma for hours. She’d even taken out a piece of paper, drawn a line down the center, and listed the pros and cons of each choice. While not telling on those criminals could result in jail time and have her begging for food, it was the thought of never being with Shane and Cody again that was the deciding factor.
Around 7:00 a.m., she put on jeans and a T-shirt, gathered the incriminating evidence, and drove to the police department. Fortunately, Chief Strong was there.
“Hey, Jessie
. Sorry, we still haven’t figured out who set the fire at the Tanner house.”
“I know who did it.”
Her tone must have been flat because he rushed over to the other side of the desk and pulled up a chair for her.
“Who?”
She handed him the proof that Harman Security was breaking into homes and stealing their goods. Rhonda Tanner was the secretary to the President of Harman Security. She had transcripts of conversations proving that the president had orchestrated all of the criminal activities.
“This is hard to believe,” the chief said.
“I know. I tried to get Walt to air this, but he refused. He told me if I told the paper or the police that I’d be fired.” She shook her head and a chuckle escaped. “I haven’t slept all night.”
“You were right in coming here.”
“I know, but the truth doesn’t pay my bills.”
“You’ll find something. Hell, maybe you should apply here. You’d make a great investigator.”
She appreciated that he was trying to help. “Thanks.”
Cleaning out her desk was the last thing she wanted to do, but she owed it to the station to let them know she was resigning. When she filled out her next résumé, it would look better to state she quit rather than got fired.
Walt floated by, looked at her, and continued on his way. Since she hadn’t said anything, he probably figured she was cool with the cover-up. After all, she let the Burger Haus lack of sanitation story disappear in the wind, and she didn’t pursue Lysner’s Automotive scam either. She kept waiting to see the exposé in the paper, but so far there’d been nothing. She thought Cody had written the stories. He was probably waiting for her to wise up and quit. Well, he’d get his chance now.
She typed up her resignation and walked into Walt’s office. He looked up, but kept his hands on the keyboard. “Yes? Got something juicy I can actually use today?”
“I quit.” She let her resignation float down to him.
He read what she’d written and his face turned red. “You can’t do this.”
“I’ve already turned over the evidence to the police. The chief knows you told me to sit on the Harman Security story. I wouldn’t be surprised if the cops came in here and arrested your sorry ass for obstruction of justice.” They never would since Walt would deny he knew anything about the story, but she liked saying it.
“You do realize what this will do to your career?”
“Yup. But I’ve been thinking. I don’t like working for an establishment that squelches the truth in favor of revenue.”
Walt pushed back his chair and rounded his desk. Sure, he was a good eight inches taller than she was, but today he’d never be able to intimidate her. She had to hold in a laugh at his pathetic attempt to show he was the boss.
“Get out of my office.”
“My pleasure.” She tossed him a smile and sashayed out.
Despite the fact she was now going to be impoverished, there was a lightness to her step she hadn’t expected. Doing what was right felt good. It had been years since she’d been this free.
After she picked up her few possessions, she left all keys on her desk and walked out.
The big question was what to do now. She should let Cody know that he could run the Burger Haus and Lysner’s Automotive stories without any consequences to her. In a way, by trying to keep her happy, he’d sacrificed his professional ethics. Though for all she knew, he’d already told the authorities about his suspicions.
She’d made a copy of the evidence she’d given the chief. This would be a juicy story for any newspaper. She needed to make a visit to the Intrigue Sun.
When she walked in, only Wanda was at her desk, and the glass-enclosed office behind her was empty.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m looking for Mr. Callen. Is he here?”
“No, I’m sorry. Can I give him a message?”
Tell him I’m sorry and that I want him in my life. “Can you give him this envelope?”
He’d know what to do with it. “Sure will.”
With the truth about all three stories told, she headed over to the beauty salon where her mother worked. If Jessie didn’t find another job fast, she might have to move home with her. While she adored her mother, the one-bedroom apartment wasn’t big enough for both of them and Rex, her seventy-pound dog.
By the time Jessie got back to her apartment, she was quite exhausted. She bought a newspaper to look for job opportunities. She wasn’t sure what job she’d qualify for outside of journalism, but she wasn’t ever going back into broadcasting again. The censorship wasn’t for her.
It was close to 11:30 a.m. when someone knocked on the door. She looked through the peephole and her pussy jumped up for joy. She pulled open the door.
Their expressions appeared solemn. Shit. She’d done what they’d wanted. Were they coming to tell her they couldn’t be with a woman who didn’t have a job? She prayed they weren’t that shallow.
“Come in.”
Both took her hand and sat her down on the sofa. “How are you feeling?” Cody asked.
“Happy and sad at the same time.”
Both men leaned over and kissed her cheeks. “We are so proud of you,” Shane said.
“How did you find out?”
“When I got the envelope you left, I called the chief to tell him. He said you’d already been there, and that by disclosing the offense, you’d been fired.”
“I’ll have to admit, doing the right thing felt good.”
“I would have come over sooner, but I had a few articles to get out.” Cody winked.
Relief washed through her. “So you nailed the Burger Haus and Lysner’s Automotive?”
“While I was talking to the chief, I learned that they planned on nailing the President of Harman Security. Chief Strong is also trying to find evidence to tie him to Rhonda’s murder.”
She leaned back against the seat. “That’s so fantastic.”
“It’s all due to you. If you hadn’t stood up for what was right, justice wouldn’t have been served.”
“I’m glad.”
Shane got up from the seat across from her and sat next to her. He took her hands. “What’s the matter?”
“What’s the matter? I lost my job today.”
“If you need a loan, Cody and I can help.”
She waved her hands. “I’m not a charity case. I need a job.”
“Come work for me,” Cody chimed in.
She chuckled. “You don’t pay enough. I know the pay scale.”
Cody squeezed her knee. “You could always move in with us. That would save on rent.”
The idea was incredibly enticing, but she didn’t need their pity. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll figure something out.”
Shane squeezed her hands. “You won’t move away from Intrigue, will you?”
She had to smile at the fear crossing his normally stoic face. “I hope I don’t have to, but I might need to. There aren’t exactly a lot of jobs here.”
Cody nodded to his friend. “What do you think about convincing Jessie what she’d be missing if she left us?”
“I’m not sure she even likes us enough if she’s contemplating moving.”
They were only kidding her. She hoped. “You guys know I have to have a job.”
Cody turned her shoulders toward them. “How about if we asked if you’d be willing to move in with us, whether you have a job or not. We both love you, Jessie. That’s why we got on your case about pursuing the hard stories.”
His words finally registered. “You love me? As in love love me?”
“Yes, we love love you.”
A crest of joy lifted her up. “I love you both, too.” She giggled, unable to contain her thrill.
“How about we show you just how much?”
“I’d like that.” She turned to Shane. “I don’t think I’m ready for any more fiery heat for a while.”
“I’m okay with that.
Besides, I have other things to occupy you.”
She couldn’t help but glance at his cock, praying she’d get to experience both of her men at the same time.
Cody stood and swooped her up in his arms, acting as if she weighed less than a stack of newspapers. He headed to her bedroom, delicately placed her on the bed, and turned on a side table lamp. The idea of making love to both men already had her pussy in high gear.
“I’ve been so jealous of what Shane had with you. I can’t wait to delve into your luscious body and pack you full of my cock.”
She loved when he talked dirty. “Shane, you’re going to let him talk to me like that?”
“Babe, all I’ve been thinking about is your sweet ass. As much as your pussy turns me on something fierce, I just want to take you in your behind so bad, I can hardly sleep.”
She loved that her men were as single-minded sometimes as she was. “Then I want to strip both of you naked and suck on your cocks first.”
“We’re not sure—”
She held up a hand. “My house. My rules.”
They both looked at each other and shrugged. “Have at us, then.” Cody lifted his arms, ready for her to take off his shirt.
“You boys will have to have some patience while I strip you.” She pulled Cody’s T-shirt over his head and ran her fingers over his abs. “I do love your body.”
She whipped around and repeated the same procedure on Shane. She had to admit, Shane had a bit more definition, but given his profession, that was to be expected. Perhaps she spent a little too much time playing with Shane, because Cody turned her around.
“I’m dying here.”
She laughed. “Take off your shoes. Both of you.” They immediately obeyed.
Next she unbuttoned Cody’s jeans and slipped them down over his hips. “No underwear? What would your mother say?” For a split second, his eyes had widened, as though she would spill the beans.
Then he smiled. “She’d be proud that I’m going to bring home the best girl in Intrigue.”
Since his sister had married two men, she figured his folks were open-minded. “You do say the nicest things.”
Monroe, Melody Snow - Truth and Seduction [The Callens 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 12
