Wounds to Bind Chapter 13 – 'So you'll get your kicks by exerting your will over me.'

July 5 – CPOV

Striker reports Anastasia packed a gun case and gear box in the trunk of her car, with her suitcase and totes. They knew she had applied for an updated carry conceal permit. They just didn't expect her to receive her updated permit before the beginning of August. She left Montesano before five this morning and arrived in Seattle just before seven.

XXX – APOV

Two men stand at the front door of SIP, handing flyers to all entering staff when Claire and I arrive. Claire read the flyer aloud while we enter. The men made me feel uneasy. They looked like they could belong to Christian's band of black-suited unmerry men.

"Big staff meeting – staff, last names between A through L meet in the main conference room from 10-12. Staff with last names M through Z meet in the main conference room from 2-4." Claire sighed. "The unfathomable happened."

"What happened?" I inquired.

"SIP is in play. The rumor circulated when everyone's travel was cancelled. No one knows who bought Seattle Independent Printers. The two front runners are Kavanagh Media and Puget Publishing. Kavanagh Media was the last big company to do a walk-though at SIP. These meetings will probably be with new management. Everyone will be on their best behavior. There's always reorganization with mergers like this. No one knows which staff will be kept, or which staff will be terminated." Claire alleged.

'Crap,' I thought. 'What chance do I have of keeping my job when management is concentrating on keeping theirs?'

"See you at the two o'clock meeting. Maybe we eat lunch with Emily and Amber. They are in the morning group. Maybe they can give us the deets?" Claire suggested.

XXX

"Any interesting news at your condo this weekend?" Jack's face has a sly look, despite the fact he sounds disinterested.

"If you are asking if Kavanagh Media bought SIP, I don't know. I was out of town until early this morning. The subject never came up while Kate and I dressed for work. Her internship at Seattle Times begins today. Ethan works at Couture by Celeste this week, then at Kavanagh Media for the remainder of the summer." I shrugged. "I guess we'll all find out what's going on soon enough."

"Some of us sooner than others. HR requires us to sign and return these forms before the meeting starts." Snarky Jack handed me an NDA. He walked toward the elevator…not his office.

FMTT, and an NDA. I know what's going on, and I can't mention my thoughts to anyone. When did Christian decide to buy SIP? When did he plan to tell me he was my new boss's, boss's boss?

XXX

I know my poker face left the building. I know I wear my stubborn and intractable face. "I do not believe this is a fair evaluation, nor representative of my work and my abilities. I will not sign this evaluation. Please email me the steps needed to request a review." I take a picture of the evaluation. My clothes are inappropriate for my position. Assistants don't wear designer clothes. I am anti-social since I don't drink or socialize at company happy hours nor give my boss an occasional ride home. However, I seem to enjoy getting noticed in the social pages. I have not followed Jack's directives for other duties as assigned. The ten reports for the conferences are referenced. My failure to make required numbers of materials for the editorial meetings is referenced. My failure to process editorial meeting minutes is referenced. Jack Hyde is my supervisor, not Amber. My filing, mailing author letters and manuscript handling is adequate. My synopses are excessive and take time which would be better spent learning company rules and customs.

"SIP has been bought out. The chances of your continued employment with a does not meet expectations rating are slim." Elizabeth's voice is almost shrill.

'You'd like that, wouldn't you?' My stubborn and intractable face is getting a workout this morning. "Again, I request a review of my employee evaluation. Please email me the procedures," I stand and walk out of her office. I don't wait to be dismissed. I'll probably be written up for being rude, but I cannot deal with her smirks and snarks any longer. I return to my desk, note the time I spent with Elizabeth, and begin my micro-management schedule.

Break time I relieve Claire. My kindness might offset my urge to make voodoo dolls of Jack and Elizabeth.

"I'm bursting," Claire declared. "Just give me a few minutes and I'll be back. By the way, the news is embargoed but Grey Enterprises Holdings bought out SIP." Claire disappears before I can admit I am not surprised.

Claire returns in ten minutes, which have been quiet ones, thank god. "I tried to call you earlier," she explained.

"I was in Ms. Morgan's office…" I start to say.

Claire swears under her breath. "Let me guess – does not meet expectations, right?"

I nodded miserably. "I refused to sign and requested a review of my evaluation."

"Holy Shit!" Claire exclaimed. "No one has ever refused to sign. I don't think anyone ever requested a review. Elizabeth probably doesn't know what to do."

"Please tell me there are procedures for requesting a review." I searched the procedures manual I have on flash drive for naught.

"I don't think there is," Claire sucked in a breath.

"Well then…I will research Grey Enterprises Holdings website for their HR division. I will hope their HR has a form page with a request for review form. If there is, I will complete and send the form to Grey House HR." I hope the grapevine will share my threat with those in power. Someone needs to know I'm getting screwed…and not like my hot, private time with Christian.

XXX

Everyone ordered deli delivery and clustered in gossip groups in corners, offices, cubicles and bathrooms. Titters, whispers, giggles and gossip are temporarily halted when one of Christian's unmerry men wander through the various sections of SIP, taking notes for Mr. Corporate Raider. So much for NDAs. Christian Grey is in the building.

The Submissive will conduct herself in a respectful and modest manner at all times. She must recognize her behavior is a direct reflection on the Dominant. She shall be held accountable for any misdeeds, wrongdoings and misbehavior committed when not in the presence of the Dominant.

I nibble on my lunch because I'm a nervous wreck. If I keep my head down, will anyone notice me? I will act professionally. I will not react badly to his presence in the building and embarrass myself. I won't dance because there's no editorial staff meeting today. There's no sense being gleeful for exchanging one dreaded meeting for another.

Claire shares my refusal to sign my evaluation with Amber and Emily. They are shocked I didn't receive a better rating. They are more shocked to learn I intend to request a review. They search the SIP procedures manual and online server with me. There are no forms nor procedures. Amber flips over to the GEH site, and searches for the employee forms section. She downloads the procedures for me. I can complete the form online and attach the electronic copy I made of my evaluation. I intend to complete and submit the form at home.

XXX

Fuckety-fuckety-fuck…he wore that tie! Damn him! I remember to breathe calmly…not pant…not gasp for breath. I will not fidget. I will not cross my legs. I will not press my thighs together. I will not react. Breathe. Count to …fuck! I will not react! He may look like a Greek god…but he is the damned devil in disguise. Tie you up with that tie, bend you over the conference room table and beat your ass with his designer black leather belt. He obviously had an appointment with Mrs. Robinson over the three-day weekend; his hair is trimmed. I want to snatch the Bitch Troll bald for touching him. I want to smack him around the universe for letting the Bitch Troll touch him. I want to puke thinking about the two of them together.

XXX – CPOV

Holy Fuck! She is a vision in a periwinkle summer dress. She's wearing heeled sandals and nude stockings. Are they thigh high stockings? Lace topped…with her soft skin accessible above the stockings before I get to her panties? What color underwear is she wearing? Blue to accent her eyes? Virginal white? Fuck…is she wearing a thong or bikini panties? I'll bet I could destroy them and her composure in one firm yank.

Her hair is in an inverted ponytail. Her makeup is light and natural with raspberry lip gloss. I just want to fuck her mouth. Christ…get yourself under control Grey! You must address these people and you can't have a semi when you do. She does not look at me, I don't stare at her. Fuck…I just want to take her on the top of the conference room table. Actually…I can't take her here; the place is not secure. I need to move her…move SIP to a secure location. Then I can have fantasies about fucking her on a conference table, in the new office, before anyone else begins working there.

XXX – APOV

Ros Bailey was the female equivalent of Christian Grey – tall, lean, good bones, breathtaking face. She wore an amethyst designer pantsuit with a pair of nude Louboutins. Her blazer was unbuttoned. Her white silk shirt was open to the first button, modestly covering what appeared to be a pair of breasts every girl wants to inherit from her mother. Ros wore wide gold hoop earrings and a messy updo which screamed chic. Her purple berry lipstick looked durable…not rubbing off on the rim of her coffee cup. Or on the lips of someone who pushed her up against the wall and kissed her like they intended to make her panties explode.

I will forever remember these details because I want to be like Ros Bailey when I grow up. I'll never be five-foot-ten. I'll never learn to walk in five-inch heels. But I can learn to carry myself with confidence…

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ros raised her voice to be heard above the murmur of SIP staff. "This is the second of two meetings Grey Enterprises Holdings will conduct today. The purpose of the meeting is to explain the steps which will be followed this next week while we transition SIP into Grey Publishing. Get comfortable; Mr. Grey would like to address you. But first… consider this question: Are you doing work worth doing, or are you just doing your job?"

XXX – CPOV

Dealing with the assholes at SIP is a shitty start of the new week, that's all I can say. Barney tells me emails are being hacked at SIP/GP and we need to shut their IT department down as soon as possible. He's upset with the lack of professionalism from the SIP IT staff and recommends they be turfed. He can provide a temporary IT staff until recruitment and new hires occur. He'd rather cope with the increased workload and temporary staff rather than let the IT team for SIP/GP continue to blunder along. He's already assigned staff to upgrade the SIP/GP website. He's been to the new site at Grey Annex and has enough equipment in stock to provide Grey Publishing with new computers, software and dedicated servers. I told him to order what he needs. He may need a month or longer to analyze the old work towers, laptops and servers. He will not assign this task to the GP IT crew. The good thing about installing new computers is – Barney wipes the old ones and makes them available for purchase by staff. Several of our working parents are on waiting lists to get technology for their kids for the upcoming school year.

Barney recommends scanning and storing archived manuscripts on their own server. The archived hard copies should move to offsite storage at a fireproof facility. The new IT staff can be trained to scan manuscripts, which will give them something to do other than ignoring hacked emails. IT support at Grey House is updating SIP's manuscript database. He advises the new IT Director for SIP/GP needs to know database languages. Barney and his crew will be at GP the week of July 11 to install the new servers and upgraded firewall. His team needs most of next week to install the new computers, printers, copiers updated applications and technology in GP. I'm secretly pleased by this, because I plan to assign Anastasia to assist with the move. Barney can overhear and report issues to me.

Barney reports one of the editorial support staff downloaded the request for review of evaluation form and procedures from Grey House's website. I task him with searching employee calendars to determine who was evaluated. I'm sure the employee was Anastasia…she's been at SIP for thirty days.

I've met Anastasia's boss, Jack Hyde, during the morning meeting. I'm not impressed. I'm less than impressed. I am less than comfortable with some of the looks the fucker gives me. Assessing me, like he seeks a crack in my character. What the fuck is that about?

Ros adeptly handled the questions from the morning meeting, and the ones from the afternoon meeting. Ros catches Elizabeth Morgan assessing me. Ros shares a questioning look. What the fuck is Morgan's issue? She spends half her time watching me and half her time watching Anastasia. Ros noticed her inattention also and emailed Morgan a list of SIP/GP HR tasks. I take the podium and thank everyone for coming and for their attention. I explain this has been a busy day. Anyone who does not have a pressing task to complete is free to leave for the rest of the day. Anastasia disappears in the crowd. I hoped to give her a ride home.

I turned Striker's preliminary SIP reports over to Welch. He thinks they came from Kavanagh Media. Welch is conducting deep background checks now. I have two editors who will be turfed for endangering us with sexual harassment lawsuits, including the three people they have embroiled in sexual liaisons. I have two more editors who will be turfed if they continue to pull their attitudes out of their ass. I may not know about publishing books, but I know when companies are poorly organized and squander their resources.

XXX – APOV

Thank god this is an ice cream dinner night. Kate had a rough first day at Seattle Times. She thinks she is being evaluated on a different scale from the other interns. I make a heaping bowl of Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream. I drink a Diet Dr. Pepper. Kate makes an equally heaping bowl of Dark Chocolate Cherry Fudge ice cream…but she has a large glass of Merlot to drink. Kate wants to share her first day of internship with me. However, she wants answers first. Thank god ice cream slows her questions…she must be experiencing brain-freeze syndrome. If my mouth is full of Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream, I have time to formulate answers to her intrusive questions.

I stretched out on the couch, wearing new blue cotton pajamas. Kate approves of everything I bought. Except…she'd like me to shop with her of course. SIGH. I distract her by telling her she can't shop until she organizes her closet. Kate thanks me for hanging and folding all her clothes. She loves how I've rearranged the living area. Kate loves Ray's suggestion to make the area before the windows into a lounge area with bar, bistro tables and stools. She loves the chocolate velvet throw pillows for the couch. She compliments me on the placement of the settee near the front door and the coat closet. We can drop packages or pull on boots.

But Kate isn't distracted very long. She asked how long Christian and I have been taking a break from one another. I cite the weekend I returned from Savannah. I share my trip and visit with Mom and Bob. I share Christian coming to Savannah and leaving early because of a business situation. I claim we have fundamental differences in how I should live my life, and ergo…we're taking a break. I tell her I returned the Mean Machine, the car and phone. Christian gave me the sale funds for Wanda, which is how I bought a new car, computer, printer, etc. Kate understands why I returned Christian's things.

Kate's vexed because Mia gave her a synopsis of the Coping Together event instead of me. I tell her I had a great time at Coping Together when everyone left me alone. I told her how pretty the gown was, and how Celeste spoiled me with a girl's day at the salon. She was surprised to learn someone told the media I was there. She understands I didn't know how to handle the situation. She went out to the Coping Together site to look at the pictures.

I didn't explain Christian's therapist seems to know more about me than makes me feel comfortable. I didn't explain how good Christian looked. I didn't explain I refused to participate in the First Dance Auction. I wanted to tell her what a bitch Elena Lincoln was to me, but I don't want her questioning Christian and Elena's business partnership. I wanted to tell her I think I adore Grace. I think I will keep those thoughts and feelings to myself until I understand them. I'm a girl with issues. No matter how much I research, I'm powerless to understand my issues, let alone fix me.

I told Kate about Christian buying SIP. She could not believe SIP will become Grey Publishing and move to Grey Annex…a large complex located behind Grey House. There is a large parking area separating Grey Annex from Grey House. For the next three days, a GEH HR panel will interview SIP staff. The staff transitioning to Grey Publishing will take their personal items home on Friday, July 8 and bring them back to work on Monday, July 18 at Grey Annex. Those not making the transition will sign a non-disclosure agreement, take their personal items, final paychecks, letter of recommendation and exit…escorted by Grey House security.

"What did you do for the holiday weekend other than fish and cook? You got some sun while you were there." Kate approved.

I tell her I saw a bunch of pregnant classmates, some of whom had hell on wheels two-year-olds. I tell her I was invited to join the planning committee for our fifth class reunion. I tell her Mom was freaky about some of the single men at our Fourth of July barbeque. She was especially upset about Curls McStud (honestly, she named him). He's the gorgeous one in white shirt and jeans. Mom claimed she's seen him on a nude calendar of wounded warriors. Kate pulls up every nude wounded warrior picture possible...and while we see some gorgeous hard bodies...Curls McStud wasn't there. I don't want to think about Mom hallucinating naked men.

"Speaking of fun, I left Dad's house at five this morning and drove home in my new car. I've decided to name her Lita." I announced.

"Lita?" Kate questioned before a large lick of ice cream.

"Well, Lita is better than Harrison, Gerald or Betty," I laughed.

"Harrison…Ford," Kate groaned. "I approve of Lita if that's the way your mind is bent. So why aren't you driving Lita to work every day?"

"Riding the bus gives me time to read manuscripts for work. I don't know when I'll have time to read at work this week. We are supposed to have normal schedules until we have our panel interview. Then we know if we're packing to move, or packing to leave." I can't keep the worry from my voice.

"Are you worried you'll be out of a job?" Kate inquired.

"Yes…no…maybe," I shrugged. "If Grey Publishing gets rid of Jack, they don't need me. They may not need me if they have interns who work at Grey House. I'm the most recent hire…I could be the first they fire."

"Christian won't fire you." Kate's confidence is a soothing balm.

"Why? Because of our brief relationship? If anything…he'd get rid of me so he never has to see me." My mind remembers that grey tie from today. I'm glad my squirming while I'm thinking about that grey tie is interpreted as an ice cream shiver by Kate.

"Ana, he was disappointed you didn't come sailing come to the barbeque on Monday with me." Kate protested. "Elliot and I spent most of our time at the barbeque in the pool."

"Why?" I can't imagine Elliot's family being cold or rude to Kate.

"Elliot hates Creepella – Elena Lincoln. He was grateful she didn't come sailing or to the barbeque. Carrick made some lethal cocktails he called red, white and booze. He made pitchers of strawberry lemonade with star-shaped ice cubes. We could have lethal or legal. Grandma Frannie absolutely forbade discussing business before, during and after dinner. Elliot said Elena would have been vexed. He says the woman has no conversational topics other than business or charities. What can Elena say – my hobbies are backstabbing, bitch slapping and Botox?" Kate scoffed.

"So, then what happened," I shoved ice cream in my mouth to keep from yelling, 'Go Frannie!' OH DAMN, brain freeze!

"Christian sat between Mia and Grandma Frannie during the barbeque. Christian apologized for leaving early. He claimed fireworks bother Taylor and his security staff."

"I understand. Dad and José Senior had half-a-dozen friends from the VFW at our house during the fireworks. They all wore combat earmuffs to block the sounds of the explosions." I explained.

"I know you don't want to talk about it, but I'll gladly bust Christian's balls for hurting you." Kate offered.

"Thanks, Kate, for being my Enyo." I guess we've danced around the why aren't Christian and Ana making fireworks of their own issue long enough.

"Goddess of destructive war and blood? If I'm a goddess...I'd rather be the goddess of Love, Sex, and Desire." She moaned.

"Oh please!" I roll my eyes. "Elliot needs to quit treating you like a goddess."

"Well, what god does Christian portray? I need to know so we're evenly matched in the art of war." Kate uses her spoon like a faux sword in the air.

"Mercury." I reply too fast. "He changes moods faster than…"

"…than I change clothes?" Kate teased.

"No kidding. I'm driving to work on Friday. If they interview us alphabetically, I won't be scheduled until then. Do you want to go somewhere fun on Friday night? I may need libations to cheer me up. I may need to research bus routes to the new building. I need to know where to park, etc. I'm definitely not driving on Wednesdays. I still don't want to give my drunk boss a ride home." I savor a bite of Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream.

'You can always tell Christian what a sleaze Hyde is," Kate suggested.

"Not happening. I must deal with Hyde on my own," I shrug.

Kate suggests we go to the Hard Rock for dinner on Friday.

"You can pick the place. As long as Elena Lincoln is not there, I'm in." I don't reveal the written note from Dr. Flynn in today's mail. He requested a meeting with him and Christian tomorrow. I don't think seeing Christian and his expensive charlatan is wise. I explained I won't be available to meet until the twentieth of July. That puts a month between Coping Together and our meeting. I need time to think about things. I hired a delivery service over the lunch hour to send the answer back to Dr. Flynn. We didn't exchange emails on SIP's server which is all I care about.

I also don't tell Kate today was my thirty-day employee evaluation…which I refused to sign. While half the staff met with Christian, I was evaluated by Elizabeth. I may be out the door before the Grey House panel interviews me. I may beg Eamon to hire me. I don't want anyone to know I received a does not meet expectations rating for my first SIP employee evaluation. I'm following their asinine micro-management schedule. I'm surprised I'm not micro-managed during breaks and lunch hour. I am determined to use the GEH form to request a review. I plan to be preemptive…in case Elizabeth gets a bug up her butt and tries to terminate me before my appointment with the Grey House panel. Before I go to bed, I will complete the form, attach my copy of the employee evaluation with my work performance standards and email Grey House HR.

XXX – CPOV

I vented to Flynn about being grateful Elena didn't join my family events on July Fourth. I'm tired of feeling I'm bound, gagged and cock caged when she is around my family. I'm tired of feeling like she controls my life. Elena may know me physically, but she does not know me. She understands me even less. I tell Flynn I want a relationship with Anastasia as easy as the one Elliot and Kate have with one another. I thanked Flynn for his excellent advice about having Franco come to the condo to cut my hair and give me a manicure.

Flynn explains Anastasia cannot meet with us until July twentieth. He lets me read the note she sent back to him. When Flynn sees my disappointment, he asks, "What is your next goal?"

"I'm working on the SIP acquisition. I'm researching other fiber optics companies to acquire, but I miss Anastasia. I miss her touch. I miss her kisses. I miss the feel and scent of her skin, the silk of her hair. Work and physical pursuits won't keep her out of my head. I hate going to bed because I'm lonely without her and the nightmares recur two or three times a week. My late-night piano playing won't chase thoughts of her away anymore."

He does not comment, so I continue.

"I can't fly Charlie Tango without thinking about her. I can't soar without thinking of Savannah. I can't sail without thinking about her beautiful blue eyes. I miss the romantic, young woman who saved herself for something better than a one-night stand in college. I miss the young woman who takes care of her father, and who doesn't dwell on her mother's issues."

He is still mute, and I feel verbose.

"I thought I knew myself…I thought I was in control of my life. I let down a strong young woman who thought her love could push the doubts and fears of my past away. I hate myself for driving her away. I hate she left me so she could feel safe. I wish Anastasia had forgiven me. I cannot shut down and reboot my life."

"So, how will you handle the situation?" Flynn still holds the message from Anastasia.

"I'm taking a page from Anastasia's book. I will be proactive, not reactive. I need to work…but I don't need to be in business with Elena. I'm researching my options on how to remove Elena from my life."

"That is a beginning…" Flynn recommends using Franco until I decide what to do with Elena. There's no sense tipping her off about what I'm considering. He urges me not to discuss business around Franco. Books, magazines, music are safe conversation bets. No discussing work, vacations or family events. "Do you have other things on your mind?"

I tell him Leila is still in the wind. I tell him about Mia and my serious conversation about starting a company for her. I don't tell him it came to me in the middle of the night – a Mia-owned company housed in Grey Annex would provide me with information and access to Anastasia. Plus, I have an additional reason to increase the security at Grey Annex and perhaps keep Anastasia safer.

"I've thought about touch therapy. I'm keeping my Friday appointments to see Sela. Can you rearrange your schedule to accompany me?"

"I can rearrange my schedule," Flynn agreed.

XXX – 3PPOV

"Welcome to Introduction to Computers, I will be your instructor for these eight night classes. My name is Laura Dennison. I always compare the first class to a first date. You're nervous; I'm awkward; conversation is stilted. We have trouble making eye contact. If we don't have a way to communicate, this budding relationship will falter and die." Laura shook a cup holding Popsicle sticks and withdrew one. "Mr. Steele, Raymond, where is your favorite place in the world?"

"Please call me Ray, and one of my favorite places is the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, at dusk."

"Thank you for your answer, Ray. I've been there and agree the view is spectacular at sunset." She was busy ticky tapping the keys on the computer when a picture of the reflecting pool flashed on the screen ahead. "You can probably find a static picture, but if you know how to search…" Laura tapped keys again. "You can find a virtual walking tour, which provides more information." A new website came up on the screen and Laura showed the class a few minutes of the virtual tour. "If I teach you nothing more than how to widen your horizons either by virtual tours, emailing, Skyping or researching weather patterns in Washington…I will have achieved my goal. Please turn your laptops on and let's begin."

July 6 – CPOV

Ros hands me a large cup of coffee. Barney hands me a tech report for SIP. Rhys Redman, Grey House HR Director, hands me an email requesting direction. Redman printed an email from Anastasia Steele apologizing for the interruption. She requests a GEH HR review of her thirty-day SIP employee evaluation. She scoured the server at SIP and cannot find a form or procedures. She found Grey House's easily, and asks if SIP employees are considered Grey House employees since the merger? He printed Anastasia's completed form requesting a review and printed her attached employee evaluation. Redman insists the evaluation cannot stand. He claims the current evaluation is a lawsuit waiting to bite us in the ass. He wants to fire the HR staff at SIP.

I read the evaluation and scream out a line of profanity which would embarrass Mom. Taylor hears me shout and enters the office to see what the shouting is about. Ros is furious about the 'inappropriate dress' comment on Anastasia's evaluation. We agree with Redman – SIP is in dire need of a workable procedure manual, appropriate HR forms, and a dress code. Redman has marching orders. Barney discusses tech issues with us and receives his marching orders. When they leave my office, Taylor strongly suggests Grey House insert someone in SIP and near SIP to watch Miss Steele and ensure her safety. I agree…however, her security team must be unknown to Miss Steele.

XXX – 3PPOV

"Thank you for lunch," Laura carefully folded her napkin and laid it on the table. "If you're ready, I'd like to see your business. I can recommend computer applications you need. I can recommend which tutorials and further training will help you."

"Steele Woodworks has been in my family for three generations: my grandfather, father and now me. I'd like to leave Steele Woodworks to my daughter, Annie, and any children she may have." Ray carried their dishes to the kitchen. "She bought me the laptop, printer and cell phone for Father's Day. She paid for the classes also. I want to do well and show her I'm not a Neanderthal when it comes to technology."

"You're not a Neanderthal…you're a newb," Laura laughed and then explained the word to Ray. "Be sure to email your daughter, she should laugh at your Urban Dictionary savvy."

XXX – APOV

"I'm sorry, but giving you a ride home is inappropriate. I know what office gossip can do to an intern. I don't want anyone to accuse me of fraternizing with you as a form of job advancement or job security. I don't want gossip about you and me to reflect on my employee evaluations." I gathered my tote and walked to the elevator.

"Considering your evaluation, you ought to be currying my favor. If I had known you would be so damn uncooperative, I would have hired someone a little less smart and a little more pleasant!" Jack roared at my back.

Snarky Ana mentally flipped him off. That remark explains my shitty employee evaluation.

XXX – CPOV

Striker report to Grey: AS on bus home today, told coworker JH wanted her to drive him home, in his car! She refused. He went home with E. Morgan. His follower reported he ate a steak sandwich with fries and salad and nursed a single scotch rocks at lunch. He introduced two authors to each other. He thinks they can co-write a series of books. Both of them have the same sort of characters and plotline. He thinks pairing up would be advantageous, co-authoring their first trilogy. One writes excellent characters and dialogue; the other writes believable action scenes. Lunch bill split between two authors who departed. JH slammed three doubles at the bar before leaving the restaurant. We're trying to get his information from his prior company and residence, but we need more time. We've labeled our requests for information as a background check for a potential job.