Macie waited until Alex hung up. At least she assumed it was Alex. Unless Ian had other enemies among the crew. And, if she was honest, that was entirely possible. She didn’t disagree with Alex’s opinion of Ian’s work, but she fumed at the way he treated her former co-worker. She rolled back to her desk and pulled up the graphic. It actually wasn’t bad for Ian. That surprised her. There were several things that needed to be tweaked, but nothing needed a major overhaul. It was for an ad about an upcoming charity walk the station sponsored. Alex was the designated local celebrity leading the way. Of course, he wanted it to look good. That didn’t mean he needed to be a dick.
The door to her office flew open. Macie didn’t even turn around. The heavy breathing and stomping would’ve been creepy if it wasn’t for the fact she knew who it was and she knew she had his balls in a vice. He just didn’t know it yet.
“Where’s Ian?” a very familiar and very calm voice said.
“Quit.” One word answers usually pushed people over the edge. She had a gut feeling they would do the same to this guy. From the rumors about his temper, it wouldn’t take long. She’d been grateful she hadn’t met him based on what little she’d heard. He wasn’t popular and he wasn’t nice, but he was great on camera. That was all that really mattered.
“What do you mean he quit?”
Macie turned around in her chair, crossing her legs and smiling as politely as she could. “Guess someone pissed him off. He walked out.”
Alex’s gaze slid down her body in a way that did creep her out. He wasn’t a bad looking guy with highlighted brown hair and light green eyes, but there was a menacing undertone in his voice and a deliberate sneer. Macie didn’t want to run into him in a dark alley. But here, at work, she could handle him.
“And you are?” Alex asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Macie. I report only to Nancy and do exactly what she tells me.” Macie uncrossed her legs and sat straighter in her chair. “If you have any questions or concerns about my work, talk to her. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have plenty to do.”
Alex smirked and leaned toward her. “Oh, you’ll do what I tell you, or you won’t be here.”
Macie shook her head and turned around in her chair. She wanted to show her cards, but laying them on the table now would be a major mistake. She’d hold her hand close and wait to show it when Alex pushed her too far.
The door clicked closed behind her. Macie ignored the sinking feeling in her stomach that sent shivers down her spine. She fixed a few minor issues with the graphic and forwarded it on to Alex with a blind copy to Nancy. Alex didn’t email her back, but Nancy did with six other projects that needed to be done by five. Macie glanced at the clock on her monitor. Only four hours to do it in. It was going to be close.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
It was almost five-thirty when Macie finished retouching Alex’s smug photo. Apparently, that was where Ian went wrong. Alex wanted to look like a movie star, and Ian made him look like a news reporter. It was high school jock versus nerd all over again. She thought that shit was over, but obviously not. She read through the email exchanges again. They were almost as abusive as the phone call. Alex had managed to keep a string of cuss words out of the text. Smart move on his part. If he’d done that to her, she would’ve blind cc’d Nancy in everything.
“Macie,” Nancy shouted from her office as Macie hurried past. “A moment, please.”
It took every ounce of energy she had not to slouch her shoulders and act like she’d been called into the principal’s office. Because it felt exactly like the time her high school principal pulled her in for some creative decisions she’d made on the school’s mural. Apparently, he didn’t like the overly large nipples on the school’s mascot. She took her suspension in stride. Totally worth it.
“What’s up, Nancy?” Macie asked with fake nonchalance as she stepped inside the office.
“Have a seat.” Nancy pointed to the chair Macie occupied most.
“I really need —”
“This will only take a minute.” Nancy pointed again. “The hot date can wait a few. Besides being fashionably late is still a thing, right?”
Macie knew if she argued, she’d be stuck in Nancy’s office all night. Date or no date, Nancy would talk until Macie passed out. Macie sat as smoothly as she could without plopping.
“Alex has asked for you to do all his work.” Nancy tapped her pen against the desk. “I’m inclined to agree.”
Macie closed her eyes. “Please, no.”
“Do you know who he is?”
“Nope, and I don’t really give two shits. I only met him today,” Macie said as her eyes snapped open. She pulled out her phone and set it on Nancy’s desk. She pressed play on the clip of Alex’s verbal abuse. A triumphant smirk fought to explode across her lips. Surely Nancy wouldn’t make her work with Alex after hearing that. Hell, he’d be lucky to keep his job. “Imagine what he’d do if I pissed him off. Nobody should have to deal with that.”
Nancy took Macie’s phone and replayed the message. She didn’t grimace or shake her head. Instead, she deleted the recording.
“What the fuck?” Macie fell back against her chair.
“Alex’s father owns the station.” Nancy slid the phone across the desk. “He’s a spoiled brat who needs to be bitch slapped by every person on the planet. Even then, I don’t think it would help him much.” Nancy shook her head, resigned to the losing hand she’d been
