“It was just a threat, Ava. I wanted to place enough fear in him he would think twice before violating that order of protection.”
She turned to grab the plates of pizza off the counter. “That explains why I never saw him again.” She placed them on the kitchen table. Brandon followed behind with two bottles of beer in hand. “Not disturbed by my actions?”
“I just hate that I’m reliving the fear I worked so hard to get past.”
“You won’t have peace until that Harrington bastard is caught. This is all his fault.”
Ava tore a piece of her crust off her pizza and placed it in her mouth. “I never thought Justin would betray me in such a manner.”
Brandon balled his fist and rammed it into the palm of his hand. “When I see his face again, I plan to give him a good ass whippin’.”
“Don’t talk that way, Brandon. Just allow the system to take care of Justin. They’ll catch him in due time.” Ava sipped her beer. She winced at the strong flavor. She’s only an occasional beer drinker.
“I think you should stay here until that happens.”
She narrowed her eyes as she chewed her bite of pizza. “I don’t think so.”
“It shouldn’t be up for discussion. Either you stay here or I’m staying at your place. I’m not leaving you alone.”
“I appreciate you worrying about me, but I need to return to my normal routine. Going back to work is the first step.”
Brandon ate his last bite of pizza and brought the beer bottle to his lips. “That asshole is out there biding his time until you drop your guard. That’s when he’ll make his move, and I’ll be ready.”
She eyed him intently, she recognized the anger in his voice. When he goes into full-blown protection mode, there was no reasoning with him. “It won’t be fair to you if I stay here.”
“It wouldn’t be fair to leave you alone and deal with a situation Justin created. We may no longer be together, but I’ll always protect you.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Ava arrived at work before anyone’s shift began. She hid behind the closed door of her office. The more people she could avoid the better. Justin’s face has flashed across every news program and all over the internet. She knew her co-workers would have questions she couldn’t answer.
Last night she’d decided to meet with the President and Vice President of the commercial lending division. Dan Peterson and Daniel Thompson, who everyone referred to as the two Dans. Although she isn’t interested in the job, Nina had a point. As a professional, she had to take the meeting to hear their offer.
She scanned the notes she created with questions about the director’s position. Ava raised her head at the sound of footsteps entering her office. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you,” said Meghan. She wore a look of pity on her face, one that Ava wanted to avoid.
“You’re not.” She closed her laptop. “What’s up?”
“We haven’t spoken since… you know. How are you doing?”
“Can you close the door, please?”
Meghan did as asked and sat across from Ava. “Just a warning. You and Justin are all everyone has been talking about.”
“I figured as much.” She frowned. “I’m here to meet with the two Dans and then I’m leaving.”
“Dan Peterson and Daniel Thompson?”
“Yes.”
“You’re accepting the director’s position?” She asked with excitement in her voice.
“They haven’t made an official offer, but Nina suggested I at least meet with them. To be honest, I’m not in the headspace to take on a position of that magnitude. However, if the offer is too good to pass up, I might reconsider. I’m a professional who can leave my personal life at home. I’ve had plenty of practice.”
Meghan eyed Ava with a frown. She could tell she was dying to ask the one question on everyone’s mind. “It’s okay, Meghan. You can ask about Justin.”
“Have you heard from him? Is there any word on where he could be?”
Ava closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. “I don’t have a clue where he is. I haven’t seen or heard from him.”
Meghan shifted in her chair. “He’s actually on the run?”
“I’m not trying to be evasive, but I don’t know. It’s like the more I learn from the police, the more confused I become. I can’t reconcile the person who I know versus the person they’re telling me he is.”
“I can’t imagine what you’re going through. All last week Nina behaved like it wasn’t happening. She carried on as her usual bitchy self.”
“What did you expect? She doesn’t have an emotional bone in her body.” Ava smirked. “Can we talk about something else? When I think of Justin, I become a confused, emotional mess. I need to remain in top form for this meeting.”
“Sure.”
“Have you thought more about becoming a loan officer?” asked Ava.
“I have, but I don’t believe it’s in the cards for me.”
“Why not?”
“No offense, but I’ve noticed this company only promote certain people. It’s more who you know, instead of what you know.”
“Networking is key, but that’s with any corporation.”
“I don’t know, Ava. I don’t have a degree or the time to get one.”
“What if I mentored you?”
A smile eased its way across her face. “You would do that?”
“Yes.” She checked the time on her phone. Her meeting was twenty-minutes away. “I’m due upstairs shortly. We’ll talk more afterward.”
Meghan made her way to the door but paused before exiting. She turned towards Ava. “I hope you accept their offer. Think of the changes you could make around here. Nina would have never thought of mentoring anyone.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
∞∞∞
When Ava arrived one floor up at the executive conference room, the two Dans sat at the conference table in the midst of a conversation. Daniel Thompson stood to greet her. “Hello, Ava. You’re right on schedule,” he said extending his hand forward.
“How are you both today?” she asked shaking their hands and sat facing them.
“The question is how are you doing? Nina filled us in with what’s happened to you,” said Dan Peterson. He’s been with the company for decades and old enough to be her grandfather.
Ava smiled as she wondered what Nina had filled their heads with. “I’m hanging tough.”
Dan nodded and continued. “We both wanted to meet with you because of the vacancy left open with Nina’s transfer to the West Coast office. Before her departure, she highly recommended you as her replacement, and I understand why. We reviewed your impressive credentials and work experience. That, coupled with your time with the company, we would like to extend an offer to you.” He removed a sheet of paper from a folder and slid it forward.
Ava glanced at the paper that included the offered position of Director of Loan Operations and the compensation package. Her face remained stoic as she read over the numbers. With unflappable confidence, she slid the offer back towards Dan. “I believe you can do better than that.”
He and Daniel traded a glance. “Something wrong?”
“For one, the salary is twenty percent lower than the base salary of someone who has less experience.”
Daniel revealed what appeared to be a nervous smile. “That doesn’t include the bi-yearly bonuses,” he said.
Ava gave herself enough room in her chair to straighten her posture and cross her legs. She gave direct eye contact as she responded. “Gentlemen, not only do I have a BA in Business Administration, but I also possess an MBA in Finance. I have cultivated relationships with some of your top clients who have generated millions of dollars of revenue. Then there’s my length of experience in the industry. I’m sure you can arrive at a more ideal figure.”
“What were you thinking?”
“At a minimum, thirty percent above the position’s base in addition to the bi-yearly
bonus.”
“That number will put you above more seasoned executives.”
Ava cocked her head to the side. “You mean above the male seasoned executives.”
A sudden surge of redness appeared on Dan’s face. “That’s simply not true.”
Daniel leaned forward with his hands folded on the table. “We understand your length of experience in the industry exceeds ten years, beginning with your internship in college and beyond. However, your employment with our organization is just over a year,” said Daniel.
“Yet, you’re offering me a high-level executive position.”
Daniel tightened his lips and grimaced. “Give us a moment.” Seconds later he and Dan exited the conference room. She didn’t want the position, but the fact they didn’t value the hard work she’s done for the company had pissed her off. It had now become about the principle. She had to fight for what’s right.
“We discussed your counter-offer amongst ourselves,” said Dan as he entered the room alone. “We’re sorry, but we can’t meet your request. There is another candidate under consideration, but we would like to offer the position to you at the original figure.”
She looked him dead in his eyes. “No one here has garnered the business I have. The numbers speak for themselves. But you chose to insult me with a low-ball offer. I rather work for someone who recognize what I bring to the table and willing to pay me my worth.”
“What are you saying?”
She stood to her feet and pushed her chair back with enough force it hit the wall. “Consider this my resignation!” She stormed out of the conference room and made her way back to her office running into Meghan. She followed Ava, as she stacked her personal items on top of her desk. “What happened?” she asked.
“I need a box,” said Ava.
“There’s one in the copy room.”
Ava passed her and grabbed a medium white box that’s used to hold copy paper. When she returned to her office Meghan stood with a confused look on her face. “Did you have your meeting?”
“That was a joke.” Ava filled her box with folders, personal papers, and a book that held her client list. “They don’t value us, Meghan. We work our asses off for this company, but when it’s time to reward us, they offer pennies.”
“You only met with them because Nina asked you to. So, the offer shouldn’t matter.”
“That’s not the point! What if I wanted the job? I now know where I stand with these people. They offered me less than someone with half the experience.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said. “Why are you packing? Are you taking more time off?”
“I quit.” She emptied her drawer into the box.
“What? You can’t do that!” Her eyes were wide and full of anguish.
“It’s already done.” Ava’s eyes darted towards the doorway and standing there was a security guard.
“I have to escort you out the building when you’re done,” said Tyson. He’s worked as security for the company before Ava was employed there. Everyone knew him by name.
“Are you serious?” said Meghan.
Ava let out a chuckle. “Unbelievable.” She shook her head.
“It’s only to make sure you remove nothing proprietary,” he said.
“Well, I haven’t. You can check my box while I speak with Meghan in private.” She stepped out with Meghan, as Tyson entered her office.
“I can’t believe they’re treating you this way,” said Meghan.
“I’m a female who challenged the two men on top. There’s no way they would allow me to get away with that. Just remember they need you until they don’t.”
Meghan frowned. “I’ll miss you.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll keep in touch, and I intend to keep my promise of mentoring you.”
“On your own time?”
“Yes. Once the craziness with Justin settles down, I’ll begin the groundwork to start a commercial brokerage firm. When I do, I’ll bring you in and take all the clients I brought over to this damn company.”
Meghan hugged her goodbye, and Ava didn’t feel an ounce of regret as she drove to her house. She hadn’t been there in days and needed more clothes. She flicked on the lights on the main level and placed her box on the floor. Next, she proceeded to the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of water from the fridge. After twisting the cap, Ava guzzled the water like she was dying of thirst. The sound of the doorbell caused her to remove the bottle from her lips. She placed it on the counter and wondered who could be at her door. No one knew she was there, and she hadn’t spoken to Brandon since he left for work. She turned the wand on the blind just enough to peek out the window. Tess. She expelled a heavy breath. “What are you doing here?” she asked, opening the door.
“I was in the neighborhood. Did you know your house is under surveillance?” She pointed to a gray sedan parked across the street. Ava had noticed it when she arrived but paid it no mind. She’d assumed they were waiting for someone.
“How do you know that?”
“Because it’s an obvious unmarked police vehicle, and he was here yesterday,” she said stepping inside.
“Wait? You came here yesterday.”
“Yeah. I took a chance,because I was shopping in the area.”
“I thought you were still out of town?”
“It’s a long story I’ll get into another time, but here’s the cliff note version. Sam and mom have settled their differences. At least until the next time they want to kill each other.”
“So, you didn’t bring Sam home with you?”
“No. How you’re doing?”
“I just quit my job.”
Tess’ mouth fell open. “You didn’t!”
“Would you like something to drink? I only have water.”
“No, thanks. Why did you quit your job?”
“I didn’t have a choice.” She led Tess into the living room and told her what happened during her meeting. “I can’t believe they had the nerve to insult me with an offer of $180k plus bonuses.”
Tess scrunched her nose causing her eyes to narrow. “That’s seventy-thousand more than your current salary.”
“So,” she shrugged. “You’re missing the point. If I’d accepted their offer, I would’ve been the lowest paid executive on payroll. I did my research and the starting point should have been at least $200k.”
“What are you going to do now? Find another job?”
She shook her head. “I have savings I can live off for a few months. I have too much on my plate to deal with a job.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but your decision to quit your job was irrational and impulsive.”
“Impulsive? How?”
“You’ve said many times you didn’t want the promotion, so why do you care how much the job pays? I think your actions are a result of your anger with Justin.”
She rolled her eyes and proceed up the stairs to her bedroom. Tess followed.
“I don’t want to talk about him.” Ava filled a canvas bag with two pairs of jeans and shirts. “I appreciate you coming over to check on me, but I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not, and you need to talk about it. If Justin was still here, you wouldn’t have cared about their offer.”
Ava’s jaw tightened and her eyes narrowed at Tess. “He isn’t here! Our whole relationship was a complete lie!” She fell onto the bed and covered her face with her hands. She fought back tears while Tess placed her arm around her. “I’m tired of men viewing me as a weakling they can victimize or treat with a lack of respect.”
“I know.” Tess patted her arm.
“First Phillip, then Justin, and now those two idiots. Do you know they had the nerve to send someone to escort me out of the building?”
“They didn’t ask you to stay?”
Ava wiped her eyes. “Shows you how much they valued me.”
“At least there’s one man in your life you can count on.”
“Brandon has been great.
/> “What’s going on with you two?”
“He’s supporting me through a rough time.”
“Supporting you how?” She asked with a sly smile.
“We’re not getting back together, Tess.”
“Never say never.”
Chapter Twenty-four
By the time Brandon arrived home, Ava had already downed half of a twenty-five-ounce bottle of wine. She sat in the dimmed living room while sappy love songs about heartbreak played in the background. The open bottle of wine and a glass sat on the sofa table. “Just in time to join me,” she said to Brandon, holding the near-empty bottle up in the air.
“I’ll grab a beer from the fridge,” he said. He returned from the kitchen and sat beside her. Through her less than sober gaze, she noticed the somber look on his face. “Ava, I have to…,” he began.
“Let me guess, you spoke with Tess.” She interrupted.
“Tess?” His eyebrows lifted.
“She told you I quit my job.”
“You quit? Why? You love your job.”
Ava sipped from her glass. “The job… yes! Not so much the employer.”
He turned his body towards hers and placed her hand in his. “I haven’t spoken with Tess. Your job is not what I need to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” She frowned. “What then?”
“They’ve matched the prints on the gun used in the homicide.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense. Whose are they?”
“Justin’s.”
She jerked her hand from his grasp. “Why are you lying?”
“I wish I were, but I’m not. The prints were compared to items removed from his home. It was an exact match.”
Lost in her thoughts, Ava slowly lifted her body from the sofa and moved to the center of the room. She paced the floor with her arms wrapped around herself in some sort of self-comfort. She heard Brandon’s words but found it impossible to believe. “I heard what you said, but it makes little sense.”
“What do you mean?”
She turned to face him. “I mean, we know he met with Phillip, but…”
“But what? You believe he’s innocent.”
“I don’t believe he’s a murderer, Brandon! That’s not the man I know.”
Betrayed by You Page 14
