Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108846 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
I steal a peek at Belinda to read her expression, but her attention is on me, her eyebrows arched in a bemused Now what are you going to do? way.
“I personally reviewed each applicant forwarded up the chain. Everyone has adequate experience and can start immediately. I’m confident my people have built a solid team.”
No shit he’s confident. And patronizing and bitter. The guy who wants my job has been eyeballing me since I stepped inside this meeting room, and now he’s throwing around words like “my people” and holding on to that list like fucking Gollum with his precious ring.
A soft cough is the only sound in the room.
Dorian’s waiting for the twenty-six-year-old out of his league to bob his head and agree. I might have done that, too, if I didn’t have an ulterior motive, because the truth is, it’s just a bunch of names to me. That would have been a colossal mistake. Belinda’s advice has settled in the forefront of my mind, and I can’t shake it.
What would Henry do if one of his managers pulled his dick out in a meeting to compare sizes? Because that’s what this feels like, and I don’t like it.
Would Henry point out the chunk of muffin caught in this fuckhead’s bushy mustache? No, he has too much class for that.
I clear my throat—mostly to compose myself—and keep my gaze locked on him as I ask, “Belinda, has there been a change in the management structure overnight?”
“There has not, and I believe I would be the first to know.”
“And, as the director, I still make the final decision on all opening hires under my departments?”
“That is correct.” I could be wrong, but I detect the slightest hint of humor in her voice.
“Perfect. Dorian, I’ll have that list now.”
With pursed lips, he digs it out from a folder and shoves it across the table. The asshole had a hard copy all along. There was no need for that pissing contest.
I ignore everyone and scan it quietly, searching for the names I memorized.
There they are, near the top. Mick Wallen and Will Moore, placed in outdoor crew positions. Flipping the page, I quickly find Ron Schultz as well. Surprise, fucking surprise.
Grabbing a pen, I draw lines through their names. “These three aren’t good options for Wolf.”
Dorian glares at my markups before shifting an incredulous expression to me. “Can I ask why not?”
“No.” Henry wouldn’t explain himself.
“But those are three solid hires,” he argues.
“I know for a fact they’re not, so do I need to question every name on here, seeing as you were so sure you’ve built a solid team?”
“No,” he mutters.
Silence hangs in the room.
“Do we have what we need, then?” Belinda asks after a beat.
“I do,” Lena confirms, nodding to her various managers. “Thank you.”
I shrug, my gaze never leaving the disgruntled Dorian. “We’ll see. Also, Dorian, Archie will book a meeting with you first thing Monday morning to discuss what we’re going to do about the drainage issue on the ninth hole.”
He frowns. “What drainage—”
“The fucking swamp you seem to have missed.” I took a quick drive out yesterday afternoon to check if it was still there. It was.
His arrogant mask slips. No doubt he’ll jump in a golf cart the second he leaves here to prove me wrong. And when he sees that I’m not? Hopefully he’ll arrive on Monday morning with a solution already worked out.
“Okay, then. Thank you, everyone, for your hard work,” Belinda announces. “Now go and enjoy what’s left of your weekend.” Her clawed hand settles on my shoulder, a silent message to stay seated.
I note Lena isn’t getting up either. The department managers hurry to get away, as if lingering might get them assigned more work.
“Minnie has sent both of you links to the database that includes all recommended hires. The interview recordings are there, but given timing, I would trust your managers—”
“I don’t,” I blurt. Dorian has rubbed me the wrong way. My petty side rarely makes an appearance, but when it does, it’s highly motivated. I will check every single name on this list just to say I did.
“We don’t have a lot of wiggle room, Ronan,” Belinda says with forced patience, her hips swinging as she parades around the table. “The sooner HR can verify references and—”
“Is this my department to run?” I respond with a measured tone.
“It is, but—”
“Then I’m going to review these hires until I feel confident in Dorian’s choices.”
She inhales sharply, her eyes flaring.
I brace myself for a tongue-lashing to put me in my place.
“As long as next week’s training sessions aren’t delayed.”
I falter, not expecting her to roll over so easily. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Belinda pauses to size me up, her gaze trailing over the open collar of my shirt, down to my splayed thighs. Either she wants to climb onto my lap or stab me in the groin with her pen. “If there’s nothing else …”