Pretty Playboy (Cocky Suits Chicago #8) - Alex Wolf Page 0,3
normal.
People fear the companies they work for. It’s ridiculous the amount of power we let these corporations and our bosses have over us. Sure, you need to do your job and perform your duties, but they need to step up and be loyal to employees too.
This is why I do what I do. To give my workers a voice. To give them some power to fight back when they’re treated unfairly. Someone to be fair but hold corporations to account.
“They can’t fire you for it. I promise. This is in case they do fire you, so we can be ready.”
“I don’t know. It feels wrong.”
I reach out and put a hand on her leg. “They make you feel that way on purpose. So that you choose work over your children, work over your own health, work over everything. They need to choose you over the company needs for once. You deserve it, for all the years of loyalty. For the pride you take in your work.” I take a deep breath and do my best to comfort her. “We’ve already talked about this, and they’re looking for any reason they can to fire you. And they’ll find one eventually, no matter how hard you try. You’re great at your job, right?”
She nods.
“I’m great at mine too. I promise. I won’t put you and Nicole at risk. Not more than you already are, anyway.” Nicole is her eight-year-old daughter. She was just diagnosed with leukemia a few months ago, so she requires a lot of medical attention, and a lot of time off work for Jennifer.
Jennifer’s employer has decided to be an asshole about it, instead of doing the right thing and easing the stress on her. It pisses me off.
“I know, I’m just scared, Ms. Page.”
I reach over for her hand. “Call me Campbell, please. And you and your daughter will be taken care of. I promise.” I grind my teeth a little.
They wouldn’t pull this shit with my guys on the floor doing manual labor in the warehouse. Wouldn’t dream of it. People in that boardroom fear me, but because Jennifer is a clerical worker, non-union, they want to fire her now that she’s become a liability, because she takes time off legally to see to her daughter’s health. They’re betting she won’t go to a lawyer, and she’ll just disappear so they can find a replacement who doesn’t have a sick kid. Not a fucking chance on my watch.
A text from Paisley comes through on my phone, asking me to meet up at a bar called The Gage in one hour. I shoot her a text back saying I’ll be there, then I turn to Jennifer. “That’s one of the attorneys I’m working with on your situation right now. You’re going to be fine.”
Jennifer smiles at me, but I can tell she’s still not sure. She’s scared. She shouldn’t have to be.
This is why I do what I do.
An hour later, I walk into the restaurant/bar that sits across the street from Lake Michigan. It’s a little upscale from the places I usually meet, but right up the road from The Hunter Group, so I imagine this is where a lot of the attorneys hang out. When I turn and survey the place, that’s exactly what it looks like—attorneys everywhere.
When I make my way up to the bar, Paisley’s nowhere to be seen, but I’ll be damned if a certain someone doesn’t turn around in his seat and smile right at me.
Penn Hargrove.
Ugh.
I don’t particularly enjoy being a hardass around all these lawyers, but I’ve found it’s the best way to keep them on task. The people I represent depend on me, literally, with their livelihoods. My job is to get results for them.
“Well, well, look what we have here.”
He’s so smug. I don’t know why I detest him so much, but I do. I think it’s just men in general. He looks like that kind of guy. I know I shouldn’t stereotype, but when you deal with men in suits everyday who only give a shit about profits and spreadsheets, it wears on you. He may be different, but I’m not taking the chance. The burden of proof falls on him.
He is cute, though. There’s no denying that. Usually, in my experience, it makes them even worse.
“Paisley messaged me. Said she wanted to go over a few ideas.” I glance around to give him the hint I want nothing to do with him.