Snapshot

by Kay Cove

“I’ve never had somebody hate me like that for simply existing. That sucked.” “I’m so sorry. I…what they asked for…” His jaw tenses. “Inexcusable.” “I mean, it kind of makes sense, though⁠—” “Lennox,” Dex scolds. “Absolutely not.” “Just hear me out… What are you going to do? Fire everyone who is uncomfortable with me as the CEO? Hell, Dex. I’m uncomfortable with me as the CEO. What if your team quits on you?” Dex shrugs. “Let them quit. Or I’ll fire them one by one until I have a team who respects where my priorities lie.” Glancing up at his hazel eyes, I ask, “Being?” “Everything else in my life can break and shatter…except us. You’re my priority, Lennox. It’s as simple as that. I’ll get rid of anyone who threatens my happily ever after.” “Are you thinking with your heart or head?” I ask him, trailing my thumb along his tense jaw. “Because one of us has to be reasonable, and when it comes to you, I’m all heart, Dex.” “Glad to hear it,” he says. “Forget about today. Let me handle the board. After I made an example out of Jensen, they are all walking around on eggshells. Clearly, they all would like to keep their jobs.” “Yeah, and it’s fantastic to know that the people who report to me hate me.” I scoff and take another swig of my drink, but this time, I forget to breathe, and the bitter burn catches me in the back of my throat. “They don’t hate you. They fear you. It’s uncomfortable for them to realize I have loyalty to more than Hessler Group now. They are used to leaders...