Flinching at the sound of a door slamming shut, Kane's eyes followed Hunter as he stalked to his desk, fuming, "Kane, your duties as Director of Operations have been less than helpful as of late. On more than one occasion you have defied my orders which not only cost us matches but also the upper hand!"
Did he not realize there was more to the Authority than just protecting Seth?
"Sir, with all due respect-,"
"Shut it, Kane! I don't want to hear it. Just get out."
"Hunter, I-,"
"Get OUT! I'll figure out what the consequences are and you'll hear of them soon enough."
Stunned, Kane nodded curtly before exiting Hunter's office. Shutting the door, he let out a breath as he tried to compose himself. This was not Hunter. This was not the man he worked with for the past 20 years. Something changed in him, and it wasn't for the better. Kane was truly concerned for his friends in the Authority, and also whoever else decided to cross paths with Hunter.
Stephanie sat in the chair as she watched her husband lash out at Kane. This was no way to treat a man who was so loyal and did everything he was told! In fact, Stephanie thought that he was doing a better job directing everyone around more than Hunter. He had the guts to never back down and still had the moral code to step aside and do the right thing in the end. So why was he getting punished?
"Hunter, I don't think Kane should get any kind of punishment. He didn't do anything wrong." Stephanie felt safe when she was in the ring with Kane. She could remember all the times that Kane stood in front of her while fights broke out, making sure to protect her. He sure seemed to care more than her husband.
"Stephanie, we can't have someone like Kane thinking he can defy orders, or thinking he can make his own without our consent or prior knowledge…"
"Isn't that his job, though? To relieve some of the pressure of running the company off of us?"
She could see him getting upset, and she stood and walked in front of him, "I think you're wrong about Kane. You need to reconsider punishing him." With that, she walked out of his office, leaving him an angry, pissed mess.
Slouching back on the couch in his office, Kane loosened his tie, letting it dangle around his neck. In his other hand there was a glass of whiskey. Hey, if he was going to be ousted as Director of Operations soon, he had to take advantage of all the perks, right? Bringing the glass to his lips, he stiffened as a knock sounded throughout his office. Before he could get himself composed, he saw his door open and in walked Stephanie.
Fearing that she was going to reprimand him, he sat up and started to say something but was cut off, "Kane, it's okay, I'm not here to punish you. I'm here to thank you."
His puzzled expression caused her to laugh and he watched as she sat down next to him, "Uh… if I'm not mistaken, it was your husband who was threatening my job not very long ago."
Another laugh reached his years, "Kane, I want to thank you, for always having my back and protecting me. It might not mean much to you, but it does to me. The little gestures truly do go a long way, and I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
Kane stilled, suddenly the melting ice in his glass was more interesting. He didn't move or say anything until he felt her hand on his that caused him to look back over at her, partly in shock. "I really mean it, Kane. Thank you." He watched her stand up and turn to leave his office. With catlike quickness, he had stood and placed a hand on her shoulder, stepping up behind her.
"It does mean a lot to me. There are some things more important to me than protecting that spoiled little brat Rollins." His voice had dropped to a whisper as he concluded his sentence, but he was sure she had got the message. It was at that moment he realized how close he was to her, and if anyone walked in how it would look. Giving her shoulder a gentle, reassuring squeeze, he backed away, downing his glass of whiskey as he heard his door open and close, signaling she had left.