Brash Company Read online

  I get that she’s pissed, and I’ve been looking for another job in between finals, but everyone’s looking for a job right now, and I’m nothing special. My former job saying they wouldn’t re-hire me when other places call them doesn’t help, either. So yeah, I’m smiling, but I know we need to be at McDonald’s and not here.

  As I’m contemplating all of this, I hear a voice I recognize. Turning, I see the doors to a private room closing. They don’t close fast enough, because I see him. Sully Ayoub. Big Ass on Campus. King of the Assholes. The fucktard who cost me my job.

  I don’t even realize I’m across the restaurant until I’m slamming the door open. I hear someone tell me I can’t go in, but I ignore them. I ignore all the eyes that turn my way as I stalk over to Mister Privilege himself.

  “You didn’t have to crash my party, Beautiful. I would’ve invited you.”

  “I. Hate. You,” I spit out as I pick up the drink in front of him, and douse him with it.

  “What the fuck?” he yells, standing up, and glaring at me.

  “Some of us need our jobs. Some of us don’t have rich friends who will make sure we have food, and a place to sleep.”

  “You think I don’t know that? I’m not stupid.”

  “No, you’re just the entitled asshole who got me fired last month because I wouldn’t kiss your ass.”

  I see the realization dawn on his face, and something that looks like regret shines is his amber eyes. “Shit.”

  “You lost your job?” my mother asks from behind me, and I hang my head. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  I turn, and take in my parents, who are in their best clothes. Clothes that cost less than the meal we’re eating. I feel no shame in growing up poor, or in the couple standing before me, but I want to sink into the floor, nonetheless.

  “There is nothing you can do.”

  They know it. I know it. Everyone in this room knows it too. Life is almost never fair. I’ve accepted it, but as I look at my parents, and see their faces fall, I want rail at God, and ask him how he could do this. How he could let these good people, who live a good life, struggle.

  “Bitch, you need to leave.”

  I don’t know which of Sully’s friends says it, but it doesn’t matter. None of the people in this room matter. I walk out with my head held high. Taking my parents’ hands, I walk out, knowing what I just said in there meant nothing to the people sitting at that table.

  Until Neveah Ayoub walks up to our table a few minutes later. “May I join you?”

  “Yes.”

  She’s even more beautiful in person than she is when she’s on TV with her boyfriend, the basketball star. She looks down at her hands, before bringing her gaze up to mine.

  “My brother’s behavior towards you is inexcusable. I am truly sorry for what he’s done.”

  “You’re not responsible for him. He’s an adult.”

  “You are correct. It is not my fault, but I would like to fix it. Matt and I would, I mean.”

  As she finishes her sentence, I hear a commotion, and look up to see all of Sully’s friends being led from the restaurant by Matt Corrigan and his friends. No one looks happy, especially the one with the bloody nose. I don’t know if he’s the one who called me a bitch, but I’m guessing he might be.

  “I appreciate that, but unless you have a job I’m qualified for, I don’t know what you can do.”

  I won’t accept a handout from her, or Matt. God knows, they can afford to give me one, but I’m not the kind of person who could take it; I work for what I get.

  “As a matter of fact, we do have a job for you. It comes with an apartment as well. Come see Matt on Monday, and he’ll go over everything.”

  “Oh wow. Okay. Thank you. I’m a hard worker.”

  “I know, Beckham. There wouldn’t be an offer if you weren’t. And please, order whatever you’d like. Dinner is on me. Consider it a graduation present.”

  It’s not until she’s walked away that I realize she called me by my name. I never said my name, but she knew. Corrigan & Co., and its Foundation are a mystery to most of the population, with many of them speculating about what they do. Once, I wanted to figure them all out, but now I’m just thankful to be working with them. Because, I’m definitely in. No matter what the job is, I’m taking it.

  Chapter 1

  Sully

  Tough love is supposed to suck, but I welcomed it. I loved having Matt telling me he was going to cut me off if I didn’t lose my asshole friends. I loved my sister telling me I needed to straighten up, and I loved my mother telling me she was disappointed in me. It’s everything I already knew, and wanted to change, but I didn’t know how to get out of the life I was living.

  How do you just tell the hangers-on who pretended to be your friends that they can go on their way? Or tell the women who’ve been sucking your dick that you’re tired of having random mouths servicing you? If that angry blonde hadn’t crashed my dinner, I’d still be getting sucked, and metaphorically, fucked. I should thank her, but I don’t know when I’ll be seeing her again. If ever.

  I take my prayer rug out, and give thanks to Allah as the sun begins to climb over the horizon. I’m alone on the grass lawn behind the C&C apartments I live in, but even if I wasn’t, I would be in my own world. I don’t live a strict Muslim life, but I pray five times a day, honor our holidays, and avoid pork. Not the best I could do, but it’s been a long time since I tried to do my best at anything.

  After my prayer, I shower, change into slacks and a button-down shirt, and drive to C&C. Today is my first day as a paid intern. After Matt kicked everyone but our friends and family out of my graduation dinner, he told me I was going to be interning at his company, starting today. There was no option of saying no. He told me to get rid of my friends, and said he’d tell me anything else I needed to know when I met him this morning.

  My usual security badge is waiting for me when I arrive, and an elevator opens for me as I approach. I step inside, and try to calm my thoughts. I owe Matt so much, and it’s been a long time since I thanked him for everything. When I stopped taking everything for granted, I still pretended it was owed to me, and that’s something I have to live with. Yes, I’m ashamed, as I should be.

  “You can go right in,” Matt’s First Assistant, Beverly, says to me when I step off the elevator.

  “Thanks.”

  “Have a seat,” Matt says, when I walk in. He waits until I’m in a chair across from his desk before speaking again. “I’ve done you a disservice, Sully. I had so much damn guilt, and the only way I knew how to handle it was to take care of your family.”

  “You can’t blame yourself for the man I became. Nev didn’t turn out like me, and my mother has never taken one thing you’ve done for us for granted. I’m ashamed of my behavior. I am truly sorry for what I’ve put everyone through.”

  “I can blame myself, because I turned a blind eye to your behavior. I gave you the use of a jet whenever you wanted one, paid your credit card bills without question, deposited more money monthly into your bank account than most people earn in a year. I did all of that, and more.”

  “You didn’t force me to take advantage of all of it—or you.”

  “No, but I enabled the behavior, and it has to stop. When that young woman said you got her fired, I was horrified. That’s not who I am, and by God, that’s not who I want you to be. Just because we have more money than most of the world, it doesn’t make us better than them. Above everything else, you not knowing that cuts me to the quick.”

  “I do know it.” I do. I pretended I didn’t, but I know it.

  “I want to believe you, but your behavior suggests otherwise. I know the boy, who was so generous and loving when I met him, is still in there, but I need to see it.”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you I’m the good person you once believed me to be.”

  He nods. “You’re going to intern here, and you’re going to live off the salary you earn. I’m
going to let you keep your car, and apartment, but you’ll be paying for everything else. Groceries, gas, your utilities, and your phone. Since I cover most of that for everyone living at our apartments, Bev will be figuring out your individual costs, and having them taken out of your paycheck. Your credit cards have been paid off, and any new charges are your responsibility.”

  A moment of panic grips me, but then something akin to relief settles in. I want this. No, I need this.

  “Thank you.”

  He looks taken aback, and a little overcome by that. “I love you, Sully. You’re my family, and family helps each other. We’ve all lost our way at one time or another, and I have faith in you and your ability to come back, stronger than ever. I’m not going to lie—this job is going to be grunt work. Coffee runs, copying stuff, pretty much anything my assistants can think of.”

  “I can handle it.”

  “Even if the lovely Beckham Williams is one of those assistants?”

  I shrug. “Am I supposed to know who that is?”

  “She’s the woman you got fired. The one with the balls to break into our private party, and call you out.”

  Damn. “You hired her?”

  “Not yet. I’m offering her a job today, and I’m hoping she’ll accept it.”

  “You think she’s going to fuck with me if she works here?”

  “I’m counting on it.”

  His smile is wide, but I can’t blame him for it. I’m fighting a smile myself. She’s going to bring it, and I’m going to take every last punishment she doles out. In the office—and maybe one day, in the bedroom. Because yeah, what she did was hot, and I’m pretty sure getting burned by that heat would be worth it.

  Beckham

  I’m wearing my best outfit today. My previous job allowed me to wear leggings, and jeans, but I needed business clothes for some of my classes, so I had a few things to choose from. Not a lot, but I got good things on clearance, so I feel comfortable walking into the Corrigan building.

  The woman at the security desk is nice, and though it startles me a little when there aren’t buttons in the elevator, I try and take it all in stride. An older woman is waiting for me when I get off the elevator, and I return the smile she gives me.

  “Hello, Beckham. I’m Beverly, Matt’s First Assistant.”

  “There’s more than one?”

  “Oh, yes. Come on back, and Matt will explain it all.”

  “Okay.”

  I follow her past the reception desk, where a frazzled looking guy is trying to take down some info while other lines are ringing. I see several desks on the other side of the glass in both directions, but inside this area, there are only three desks. Only one is occupied, and the woman sitting at it looks as frazzled as the guy up front. I’m starting to get a little worried.

  “Hi Beckham,” Matt says when I follow Beverly into his office. “Thanks for coming in today.”

  “You’re welcome. Thanks for inviting me.”

  “Would you like water, coffee, or something else to drink?” Beverly asks, but I shake my head.

  “No, thank you.”

  She walks out, and I’m left here, standing awkwardly with one of the richest, and let’s be honest, hottest, men in the world. He’s too old for me, and so happily married, but I can appreciate the hotness.

  “You look like you can’t decide if you want to run out of the room, or try and kiss me. I’d prefer if you did neither, so can you please sit down?”

  I burst out laughing, as I sit, because I was not expecting that. “I can’t believe you just said that to me!”

  “I’m unapologetically blunt. You’ll have to get used to it when working with me.”

  “With you? I thought I’d be cleaning or something.”

  He gives me a look, raising his eyebrows. “You graduated near the top of you class with a business degree, and you’ve worked in customer service for years. While there’s nothing wrong with cleaning, or any other job in this building, why would you expect to be doing that?”

  “This is a pity job, Matt.”

  “No, this is a replacement job, due to someone I’m responsible for causing you to lose your old one.”

  “He’s responsible for himself.” I don’t add that if everyone keeps trying to take the blame for his actions, he’ll never learn to be an adult.

  “You’re right, he is. But, I’m afraid my choices have enabled his choices. For that, I am truly sorry.”

  “I don’t know what I can absolve you of, but thanks for saying that.”

  He smiles at me, and I mentally fan myself. “I like you, Beckham.”

  “Okay.” I mean, what the hell am I supposed to say to that?

  “Let me explain what I’m looking to have you do,” he tells me, with a shake of his head and another smile. “A couple of months ago, I hired a new Fourth Assistant. She didn’t work out, so that position is yours if you’d like it.”

  Four? He has four assistants? I mean, I guess when you’re a billionaire, that’s a thing.

  “What does a Fourth Assistant do exactly?”

  “If I hadn’t had to hire a new one then and now, I honestly wouldn’t know. Beverly keeps things moving for me, and most of the time I’m oblivious as to how it happens.”

  “Sounds like she holds the power.”

  I get another full smile. “My wife holds the power, but Bev’s a close second. Anyway, Fourth mans the front desk and phones, filters through emails coming in through my direct contact box, takes direct deliveries that need to get to me ASAP, and assists the other three when necessary.”

  “The guy out front right now looked scared.”

  “Yes, well, he’s Third, and usually just takes overflow lines, but Bev and Two are busy right now as well, so he’s a little overwhelmed.”

  “You call them Two, and Three.” I need a job, but I don’t like this.

  “Hannah and Mark are their names. Did you think I didn’t know them?”

  “Yes,” I tell him honestly.

  “Beckham, my name may be on this building, but I am keenly aware of the job everyone inside of it does. I can honestly say I know the names of at least 80% of my employees. And, if I don’t, I apologize and ask them to tell me again. No one here is more or less important than anyone else.”

  “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

  “You didn’t. I appreciate you calling me out. I won’t say that during crazy business deals, I don’t yell out numbers instead of names, but it’s nothing personal.”

  “I believe you.”

  “Does that mean you’re accepting the job?”

  “You mentioned an apartment?”

  “Yes. You can have one of the empty ones at the C&C apartment building. When would you like to move in.”

  “Is today too soon?” I ask.

  My stuff is in my car, since my roommate didn’t believe I was really coming to work here. I left behind my bed, and desk, but they were nothing special.

  “Sure. There are a few to choose from, so I’ll have someone in Security there show them to you, and help you move your things in. Bev will give you the address, since it’s not public knowledge.”

  “Everyone knows,” I tell him.

  “Yeah, but I like to pretend they don’t. No one could get in if they’re tried, so I guess it doesn’t matter, but I like to think at least a little of my life is my own.”

  “Your life looks so glamorous, but I guess part of it sucks.”

  “Just a small part, thankfully. Anyway, do you need a moving truck?”

  “No. I just have a few boxes right now. I’ll have to buy a bed later.”

  “The apartments are fully furnished. Chloe Griffin designed them all.”

  “Oh. Okay.”

  I manage to say that calmly, even though inside, I’m totally freaking out. Chloe Griffin is a genius of style, and I may die of happiness before I make it to my first day here.

  “We also have grocery delivery a few times a week, or you can order in
from pretty much anywhere you want.”

  My money is all going to have to go for gas until I get paid, but I can’t tell him that. “I don’t need anything, but thanks.”

  “Maybe I didn’t make myself clear, but I pay for the groceries, and the take-out at the apartments, and the cafeteria here has food 24/7. I know you haven’t worked for over a month, and I want to assure you you’re not going to be going hungry when you’re working with me, and living in my building. Your apartment should have everything you need, but if there’s anything else, you just request it through the app you’ll be shown today.”

  I’m humbled by his words. I won’t feel shame, because I’ve done my best on my own, but he humbles me. “Thank you.”

  “You’re more than welcome. Bev will get you down to HR to get your paperwork done, and then she’ll go over other stuff with you.”

  “I thought she was super busy.”

  “She’s always super busy, and you’ll be too. It’s why I’m going to be paying you so much,” he tells me with an indulgent smile.

  This job is going to be challenging, and hard, but I know I can do it. I can’t wait to start, and also, to pick my own apartment. I feel like I’m in a dream, but if it is one, I don’t ever want to wake up.

  Chapter 2

  Sully

  After talking to Matt, and getting all of my HR paperwork done, I do the walk of shame up to the main C&C Foundation floor. My sister’s office is here, because she works with the actual Foundation, helping refugees, and not just the Society, where she’s a spy. Yep, my sister is a badass spy, although I’m pretty sure it’s my ass she’s going to kick today.

  We haven’t talked since the dinner on Saturday, and I know this isn’t going to be pretty. Nothing in our lives has been particularly great, but it was always us dealing with the hand we’d been dealt, and not causing the problems ourselves. I definitely caused this problem, and while I faced Matt head on, facing Nev is going to be much harder.

  “Hi Sully. I hear you’re going to be working here,” Alex Corrigan says to me. Her husband, Miles, is Matt’s brother, although I’ve never been as close to them as I am to Matt.