Blackmailed by the Billionaire Brothers: The Complete Series by Sylvia Banks

leaving. It would have to be done delicately. Now that I
thought about it, I might be doing something really cruel. The relief I saw in
his eyes when I answered if I liked my job and if I would stay seemed to have a
more in-depth meaning. Did he see this as more than sex? No way. Not possible.
Still, now was not a good time to spring my newfound opportunity to pursue my
dream.

Chapter 12

 
    When I hauled my aching self to
my desk a hand written sticky note read, come
see me – bouncy loudmouth . Urgh . The epic
battle of brothers wasn’t over. I didn’t care except for the part where they
couldn’t leave me out of it. They were obnoxious but discreet so I gingerly
walked to the bathroom, checked to make sure I was presentable in the mirror
and went to the HR department.
    Even after the depletion of all
my muscle strength for the day my nerves exploded. The kind of anxiety I got
when going for an interview. I stood in front of Ellis’s door and took a huge
breath. Going from the ultimate high to the low of anxiousness gave me
emotional whiplash.
    I opened the door before I
could think and walked in. Ellis sat behind his desk with an unusual stoic
expression. He looked like Warren’s brother more than ever. I’d thought about
what I wanted to say before I got down here but the words seemed to jumble into
one sentence.
    “Before you say anything I want
to tell you that you have nothing to worry about, I’m not trying to get money
or anything and besides I’m going back to Boston because I’m going to take over
my cousin’s bakery.”
    I must have looked like a crazy
redhead. I’d just gotten right to the point without really knowing what Ellis
would say. He seemed to be taking my words in but he remained sitting, hands
folded with his best boardroom battle face. Still the silence was killing me.
    “… er , if it’s about…”
    “Ms. Renzi ,”
Ellis said. He’d never said my last name. Not even in our interview. “If that’s
true then I’d like for you to look this over and sign it.” He pushed a manila packet
towards me.
    I took the eight-by-ten
envelope, opened it and pulled out a small stack of paper. The packet was all
legalese. An NDA, an employee exit pack, a letter of
resignation and a very generous severance pay for my trouble. Health insurance
and enough money to get me out of the mountain of debt I acquired from
schooling was more than tempting.
    I really didn’t have anything
to lose. But Warren’s unguarded expression came to mind. From everything you’ve said, it seems you want to stay . His words rang
in my mind. There was a hopeful spark in his eyes as he said it too. But the
bakery was my dream. One that I’d lived with for a long time. Finally it seemed
my dreams were becoming reality.
    “It says here you want me to
leave immediately,” I looked up at Ellis. My boss relaxed into his chair with
less intensity and more concern.
    “Yes, it’s for the best.”
    So no two
week notice. I’d make a clean break with Warren. It was cold turkey, but
it might be for the best. He didn’t seem the type that wanted long goodbyes. He
might be hurt, but he’d get over it.
    “And what about the tape?”
    “That’s already been dealt
with. I’ve destroyed the original and the copy.” Ellis looked me in the eye. “I
promise no matter what I won’t let that kind of thing happen to you.”
    I nodded. He was serious. Ellis
was the type of guy that wouldn’t put people in a bad situation. Especially a woman. “Do you have a pen?” I said.
    Ellis slid a Bic my way and I signed on the dotted line. I sat in his office
while he went out and made copies, write a cheque and
gave me the whole thing in a clean and tidy manila folder.
    “The front desk has your
personal belongings ready,” Ellis said, giving me his last hug goodbye. “If
there is anything else you need from your desk I’ll get it for you.”
    He must really want me never to
see Warren again. I’d had thought I could say