I'd never hit a woman, never even contemplated it. But I was having definite visions of destroying whatever was left of this woman's career.
Calm down. This isn't about her; this is about Millie.
"Ash, you can't be serious. This is—"
I stepped forward, drawing up to my full height.
"This," I said, my tone low and deadly. "Is my company. Mine." I punctuated my point with a finger to my chest. "I am the CEO. I am the founder. And I am a man in love with a woman. Millie Hawthorn to be exact. That picture, Ms. Turner, is exactly what it looks like. And I don't regret a goddamned fucking minute of. You've put at risk my future. You overstepped. You fucked up. And I don't tolerate fuck ups."
I looked to Dyl. "Clear my calendar. I'm taking a leave of absence."
Dyl's mask shattered, happiness dancing in their eyes. "You're going to Millie, aren't you?"
"You bet your fucking ass I am."
I brushed passed Sally, heading for the elevator, rage still surging through my veins as I stabbed at the button.
"Ash, I—"
I glared at the protesting woman.
"Goodbye, Sally. And, if I were you, I'd find a job in another city. Fuck, in another country. No one I know is gonna hire you if I have anything to say about it—I guarantee it."
With that, the doors closed and I refocused on what was important.
Getting to Millie.
Chapter Fourteen
Millie
The account books sat in front of me, my eyes feeling like sandpaper as I stared at the numbers attempting to work out how to stretch our income.
Maybe if we—
"Oh, fuck no!" Keiko called from the reception area. "Absolutely fucking not! Get out!"
"Keiko, I—"
My heart clenched at Ash's familiar voice.
"No!" Kei yelled; her tone furious. "You're a fucking traitor. You hurt the most wonderful woman I know! Do you have any idea how much she cried? Dude, you're a fucking—"
"Idiot! I know! I should have fired Sally five minutes after she was hired. Instead, it took this to prompt me."
Wait. What?
"Wait," Keiko echoed my thoughts. "What?"
"Please Kei, I need to see her."
I sat frozen at my desk, straining to hear their discussion now whispered. Just as I was about to crack, Ash appeared in my doorway, Keiko hovering behind him.
"Millie."
I swallowed, my stomach feeling as if I'd been punched as he stared at me.
I stood slowly, my emotions as brittle as glass.
