Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67795 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“You’re not going to find my business on that spreadsheet.”
I turn at his words and let my gaze settle on Pastor Braden, trying to question him without saying a word. He diverts his gaze and shakes his head.
“You won’t find it there, Letty. Just give him what he needs. It’s listed as AHSB Funds.”
The words are barely audible as they come out, and I am officially worried.
Worried and scared, but this is my first day on the job, and I can’t afford to make waves. Not only will my mom never let me live down getting fired, but I don’t want that to follow me around to another job and another for the rest of my career.
“Okay, Pastor Braden. I’ll help get Mr. Shades sorted.”
He nods, looking like someone other than the kind and gentle man I’ve known for years, and leaves me alone in the office with the threatening biker.
I let out a long rush of air and turn back to the computer screen to close the software program I’ve been working on. It’s just a way to distract myself for a few more seconds until I can get my emotions under control, and I have a lot of emotions going on right now.
This is all too confusing, and I feel as if I can’t ask any questions. Besides that, I don’t think I should ask any. I don’t know if I even want to know what this is about. What if Shades is making the pastor do something illegal?
Be brave, Letty. Protect the pastor and the church.
My inner warrior fires me up, and I spin around in my chair and glare at the infuriating biker.
“Such a tough guy,” I sneer.
He flashes a smile that’s arrogant and self-satisfied, almost triumphant, and shoves his hand into his pocket.
“I am a tough guy, sweetheart. One of the toughest you’ll ever meet.”
“And you show that by tossing out threats like a petulant child? That tracks,” I say sarcastically.
He shrugs his broad shoulders. “Threats push through all the bullshit that I don’t have time to deal with, like your snooty objections to something you don’t know a damn thing about.”
“No, you don’t,” I growl and push up out of my chair, walking toward him with one threatening finger aiming right at his chest. “Don’t come in here and act like I’m some naïve little girl just because I don’t know about your shady business or why Pastor Braden feels the need to help you. I’m just trying to do my job.”
He smirks again and takes his hands from his pocket to cross them over his chest. “Because he’s a good man of God, and it’s his Christian duty. Right?”
He’s goading me, and I know it, but I can’t stop myself. I poke his chest twice. “Yeah, he is, and I don’t like the way you treat him. If you want my help, tell me what’s going on right now.”
“You done?” His voice is calm, even-keeled like I’m just a non-threatening entity that amuses him.
“No,” I poke him again. “I’m not done. This is a church, and you walk in here with no respect for any person in this building, and I want to know why.” I poke him again. “Well, why?”
The next sound that comes out surprises me. It’s a low rumbling laugh that’s entirely too appealing. This man isn’t supposed to have a laugh like this. His should be dark and growly, menacing like a Disney villain.
It shouldn’t sound like warm honey, and it shouldn’t make my body react in ways it never has before.
“That’s none of your damn business, little girl.”
I try not to wince at that little girl dig because I know what he’s doing or what he’s trying to do. He wants to make himself feel better by proving that I am no different than him, that I am unable to control my baser emotions like anger and hate.
“The name is Letty, as you well know. But if you don’t want to tell me anything, then I’m afraid I’ll have to do my due diligence before dispensing church funds to you.”
His nostrils flare, and for a brief moment, I wonder if I’m ready for whatever comes next. Anger. Violence. More threats.
“Don’t play games you don’t know the rules to, Letty.”
“I know something is wrong here. I know the pastor is a good man and doesn’t deserve whatever you’re doing to him.”
“Yeah? Well, let me tell you what I know, Letty.”
He’s no longer a picture of relaxation but rather a tightly wound coil of unspent energy as he stands taller to intimidate me before he gets in my face.
“I know that you’re a naïve little rich bitch, who thinks she knows everything about the world because you have some useless degree and use big words with your shitty rich bitch friends. I know that this is the real world, honey, and whatever you think you know about me and your precious little pastor, you don’t know jack fucking shit.”