Chapter 4

"Why is it always the guys with the huge dicks who get killed off?" Scarlett asked, reacting to Grace's news.

"I really liked him," Grace said sadly. "I think maybe he could have been the one."

"He's the first guy you matched with, so I doubt that. I'm sure there was something wrong with him. Like maybe he kept the remains of a dead relative in a spare room or hated dogs or something. But I'm proud of you for going full slut on the first date," Scarlett said, wiggling her eyebrows at Grace.

"I mean, technically that could have been date number two," Grace corrected. "But who knows, it doesn't matter now."

"So, when is your next date?" Scarlett asked as they stopped in front of the conference room before going in.

"I haven't had a chance to check the app for new matches yet, but I'll look after this meeting," Grace replied, opening the door to enter.

She stopped midway through the doorway, surprised to see Mr. Kennedy and his assistant already waiting and working. Scarlett collided with Grace, causing her to stumble forward.

"Ladies, thanks for joining us," Mr. Kennedy said, barely looking up from his laptop, but she knew he saw her almost fall.

"You said 9 a.m. It's 8:50 a.m. We're not late," Grace said defensively, as she aggressively dropped her belongings on the table across from him.

"I never said you were," he said, eyes focused on his screen.

"But your tone implied–"

"Grace is usually the first one to arrive for all our meetings, but she had a rough night," Scarlett chimed in.

"Oh?" Mr. Kennedy looked up, with an inquisitive eyebrow raised.

"It was nothing, let's begin," Grace said, giving Scarlett a dirty look that told her to keep her mouth shut.

Scarlett was never good with subtle hints.

"Nothing?" Scarlett scoffed. "She was up half the night with Vamp Control, trying to figure out where her boyfriend lives."

"Okay, that's enough," Grace pleaded.

"Seriously?" Mr. Kennedy asked, leaning forward in his chair. He had a look of concern on his face, but Grace didn't know him well enough to determine if it was genuine. "Is your boyfriend okay?"

"He wasn't my boyfriend," Grace replied quickly. "We only went out on one date. Barely a date, it was just coffee and–"

"She watched him get killed by a vampire in the middle of a video sex call."

"Thanks, Scarlett," Grace said through clenched teeth. She could feel her face warm, becoming redder by the second. "Our new boss needed all those details."

"Do you want to take the day? We can start this tomorrow, but I'm afraid that's as long as this project can be delayed," he offered.

"No, I'm fine. Seriously. I'm tired and pissed off," she said, shooting daggers at her assistant. "But fine."

"Good," he said, his lips pulling into a half smile. "Before we start, if you don't mind me asking, did you see the entire attack? Not many people have witnessed a vampire attack," Mr Kennedy asked, his voice laced with awe.

"It happened very quickly. It moved so fast. I didn't have time to warn him," Grace said.

"Yeah, the poor guy died with his dick out," Scarlett mumbled, but loud enough for everyone to hear. "At least he died doing something pleasurable."

Grace shook her head, eyes wide, wishing she were somewhere else.

"Why the city leaves the protection against vampires to teen girl slayers, I'll never understand," Grace joked, trying to steer the conversation away from her date's dick-exposed demise.

"It's too bad the vampires and evil clowns couldn't have had it out with each other last night," Mr. Kennedy said. "When did the evil clown threat start? I don't remember that happening when I last lived here."

"Just in the last eight months, I think. Give or take a few weeks," Grace answered.

"I didn't have killer clowns in my notes of things to look out for. Is there anything else I should know about?" he asked.

"No, I think that's the only thing missing from the list you gave me in your little packet," Grace said sharply.

"I see we are finished with the pleasantries," Mr. Kennedy observed. "I know you're going to fight me on this, but it's going to work."

"You're right, I will. And no, it won't," she replied.

"Let me save you, us, some time. I've already spoken to the city, and they're on board with my proposal. It's happening. "

"So you not only stole my account, but you went behind my back and pitched a new campaign?"

"I wouldn't say steal."

"Why am I even here then? If you are scrapping everything I've done."

"Because I need my top PR specialist to execute the plan," he said, shuffling through papers.

Grace took a moment to absorb everything he said, and then it dawned on her.

"You need me," she accused.

"What's that?" he answered, feigning disinterest.

"The city told you I had to stay on the account, didn't they?"

"Yes, they did," he admitted. "But don't mistake that little side note as a chance to change the direction of this new campaign."

Asshole

"If they don't want the campaign I drew up for them, which is what they had asked for, by the way, then why keep me on?"

"I was told you are the best in this entire city," he shrugged.

"Yet you sound displeased that your new employee holds such a title," Grace pushed.

"You assume incorrectly. Though, I've never had an employee argue with me so much."

"Then let me save you some trouble. I get the gist about what the city is now asking for. Or what you made them think they want. I'm going back to my office now. You stay, or go wherever you want, I don't care, and we take the day coming up with ideas. Let's meet tomorrow and see what we have to work with," Grace proposed.

Grace heard Scarlett suck in a loud breath. She looked over at her assistant who gave her an "I can't believe you are talking to your boss like that" look, but she didn't care. She felt Mr. Kennedy was mishandling how this was being presented to her and she would show him that she wasn't a push-over. Besides, he admitted that the city insisted that she remain on the campaign, so she had the upper hand.

After she gave Scarlett a look back that told her to calm down, she brought her attention back to her boss. He sat there staring at her with a brooding look, his eyes dark and his jaw set tightly.

"Unless," Grace continued. "This meeting's purpose was to force all this work onto me? I do all the work but you get the credit for having the idea? Our last boss didn't get involved in accounts. He took on a more managerial role. Is that your plan?"

"He was also a secret werewolf and ate a third of the after-hours cleaning staff," Scarlett snorted, mumbling to the other assistant.

"Do you find the cleaners' deaths amusing Ms. Grant?" Mr. Kennedy asked, eyes still locked onto Grace's.

"No, Sir," she answered loudly. "You have to admit it's kind of funny though," she mumbled again to the other assistant. "His first name was Harry."

"Please don't talk to me," Mr. Kennedy's assistant said, taking an exaggerated step to the side.

"Ms. Grant, Lucas, You're dismissed," Mr Kennedy commanded.

Scarlett looked to Grace, who nodded to tell her it was fine to go.

Grace's hands started to shake. She took a few deep breaths to try to centre herself before her anger exploded and she did something foolish and unprofessional. When Scarlett and Lucas closed the door behind them, she turned to her boss.

"I don't know how they do things where you came from, but here, we don't dismiss each other's assistants," Grace seethed. "Moving forward, I would ask that you not dismiss mine without consulting me first."

"You don't like me," Mr. Kennedy said.

"You have been our boss for barely a minute," she replied.

"You didn't answer my question."

"You didn't ask one, you made a statement. Besides, I'm still waiting for you to answer mine."

"Your last boss was lazy. Besides secretly eating people, he turned a blind eye to too many things, let a lot slide. The firm is hemorrhaging money. I was brought in to bring the firm back into the black, or the owners would have to sell, or worse, declare bankruptcy. Where I come from, those in charge worked just as hard as everyone else, with their own clients and campaigns. Maybe if the werewolf did that, this place wouldn't be in so much trouble, and I wouldn't be here."

"Well, even if he was good at his job, he did wolf out on people, so…" Grace reminded him.

"I answered your question, Ms. Walker."

"It doesn't matter what we think of each other. You clearly can't stand me. Let's just try to act professional and get through this. Maybe we can figure out how to split this account moving forward." She grabbed her belongings and started walking towards the door. "Tomorrow at 9 a.m. work for you, Mr. Kennedy?"

"I'll have Lucas send confirmation," he said. She thought she saw the hint of a smirk but left before she could be sure.