Holding Her Close (Bits and Bytes, Book 0) (Bits & Bytes) by Allyson Lindt

crossed his arms, sitting up straighter as he clamped his lips shut.
    “Fantastic.” If Vance sensed the hostility radiating in his direction, it didn't show. “The letter was so formal. I wanted to tell you both in person what a difficult decision these layoffs were for us. If we could have seen any way around letting such talented people go, we would have gone that direction instead.”
    The words felt hollow. Zach didn't like the tone or delivery. Was that what everyone they were about to fire would hear? Empty reassurances that meant nothing and held even less sincerity. Instinct told him not to burn this bridge. That wasn't how business operated. Wasn't how he operated. But almost half a decade of geezers telling him what he could and couldn't do was culminating in a single moment of frustration. He bit the inside of his cheek, measuring his response. “I'm sure. Anything else?”
    Scott's brow rose and he sat up straighter, posture stiff.
    Vance didn't flinch. “I understand our legal has agreed with your man on a final draft of the buy-out offer. I'm sure you've signed by now.”
    Scott coughed.
    Zach stood. No, he wasn't interested in salvaging this relationship. Not with the man who had spent the last twelve months threatening them, only to make real on those threats with cash. Not with the company who was forcing them away from something they'd built from the ground up. “We've got a couple more things to clear up here. Are you done?”
    Vance smiled, not moving. “Throw your tantrum if you'd like. Get it out of your system. If those people are still working here in a week, they lose access to their severance offer. You wouldn't do that to them, would you?”
    Whoa. Lose their severance? Where had that come from? Zach blinked, trying to shift to keep up with the new threat. “Our legal—”
    “ Is going to get expensive if you’re no longer working for the company retaining him.” Vance cut him off. His phony smile vanished, and his eyes narrowed. “You’re really going to pay out of your own pocket for a bunch of kids to fight a legitimate layoff? No wonder you’re here now.”
    “ We’re here now —” Scott's blurted exclamation was loud amid the quiet threats, “— because not everyone has the same ethics we do. Those people out there deserve more than your callous brush-off and a form letter attached to a goodbye check.”
    Zach glared at him, not feeling as much relief as he wanted when Scott backed down with a scowl. There was a lot about this deal that didn’t feel right, but technically, there wasn’t anything they could do now besides thump their chests.
    Anger seethed under his skin, prickling his arms and making his muscles tense to the point his neck ached. He turned his attention back to the older man. “You're making some big assumptions about what we are and aren't doing.”
    “ I assume nothing.” Vance uncrossed his legs. “I know you haven't accepted our buy-out offer yet. I know,” he looked around the office, “you haven't cleared out of here yet. I know I saw at least one person from the layoff list at her desk when I got here.” He leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. “Walk away now. You'll be under our roof long enough for our legal to make sure all your paperwork is in order. You're a smart kid. I'm sure you'll make some sales team somewhere a lot of money.”
    Zach didn't know which infuriated him more: the knock against his age and skills, or the implication their lives would get difficult if they didn't just roll over and play nice. “I appreciate the advice.” He stepped around the desk, stopping halfway to the door. “Now if you'll excuse us, we have important things to take care of this morning.”
    Vance smirked and stood. “Of course. It was great to get to know the staff this week. I'm sorry it wasn't under better circumstances.”
    Zach kicked the door shut after the him, dwelling on the twinge of disappointment it hadn't hit him in the