Evin’s Fight
Ahren Sanders
Copyright © 2021 by Ahren Sanders
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.
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Proofreading: Kendra Gaither @ Kendra’s Editing & Book Services
Cover Design: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs
Contents
A Note To The Reader
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Epilogue
What Happens Next?
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Author Links- Keep in touch!
Other Books by Ahren Sanders
A Note To The Reader
When I set out to write this series it was far different than what actually hit the pages. These three men and the woman that captured their hearts went through many changes, but eventually it all clicked into place. I love all these characters and the stories for different reasons, and each of them held something personal from my life. When the series launched in late 2019, all three books were scheduled to release within the next twelve months. Due to the pandemic, the series took much longer. Thank you for sticking with me.
Whether this is your first dive into the Southern Charmers Series, or you have followed these men—I hope you love this over-the-top Evin as much as I do.
Xoxo
Ahren
Prologue
Evin
“So, this is what the newest Executive Vice President extraordinaire does to earn the coveted corner office and obscene salary. You sit around and watch television?”
I drag my attention from the wall of screens playing today’s business news to find Jackson Hart leaning against my doorframe with an arrogant grin.
“Pull up a chair and I’ll find the Hallmark Channel.”
He chuckles, coming to sit across from my desk. “Some of us have to work for a living.”
“Too bad, I’m told the cozy mysteries are the shit.”
He leans back, casting a glance around my office. “Here I thought your fancy promotion came with a full-time assistant. Maybe they could help you make this place more appealing. Clients with millions of dollars in investments rarely approve of their portfolio manager looking like a hobo.”
I crack a smile and shake my head. “Is that why you’re here? About the assistant position?”
“Can’t a guy visit his friend without an ulterior motive?”
I quirk an eyebrow, unmoved by his false sentiment. Jackson is a transplant from one of our branches and joined our team a few months back. I’d met him years ago and we hit it off. Our stories are similar in that we started with the bank after college and worked our way up.
While my position heads up the Financial Assets and Portfolio Division, he serves as General Counsel and Chief Resource Liaison. Which means he’s responsible for the Human Resources team.
He’s wicked-sharp, highly educated, and all-around liked by all. It’s not unusual for him to drop by and shoot the shit. In the last months, we’ve formed a friendship outside of work. But inside this building, he’s typically all business, which is why he’s here about my recent denial to take on a full-time assistant.
“Okay, the position is one reason I’m here,” he admits.
“I’m good with continuing to share Tessa. We function well together, and her time split has never been a problem. If I find things change, we’ll reassess before budgets.”
His expression grows serious as he sits forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “Evin, the sixty to seventy-hour weeks can’t continue. Having a dedicated person to take some of the load will free up some of your time.”
“You been talking to my mom and sister?”
“No, but sounds like they see the writing on the wall, too.”
“What writing is that?”
“Burnout, fatigue, stress, premature anxiety, all the textbook symptoms.”
“Ahhh, here comes the psychological assessment side of Dr. Hart.” He hates the reference, Dr. Hart. He’s nowhere near a true doctor, but his years of training on employee behaviors make him somewhat of an expert.
“Would be falling on my job if I didn’t take the health and well-being of my employees seriously.”
“Jackson, I’m good. Promise. I knew what I was getting into when I decided on this career. But I also know how to make the break.”
This is mostly true.
He studies me for a second and nods his acceptance. “I’ll note that as an issue to be discussed at a future date. We’ll readdress in a month.”
“Whatever you say. What else is on your mind?”
“If you didn’t like my push for the help, you’re certainly not going to like what’s coming next.”
An uneasy feeling skates over me, and I wait for him to elaborate.
“You’ve heard about the changes to the PTO and comp time policies we’re implementing?”
“Vaguely, not my wheelhouse since I’m not involved.”
“Well, it’s about to become your wheelhouse because Human Resources slid your file to the front. Even with the new rollover policy and the payout grid, you stand to lose a significant amount of your accumulated time off. Now with your promotion, your benefits
