#Chapter 17 – Betrayal
Abby

“What? Why?” Some of them have worked for me for years, Olivia the longest of them all. What would

drive her and the others to quit so suddenly?

No one answers.

“Why are you all quitting?” I repeat. I’m not letting them leave here until I get some sort of explanation.

No one looks at me. Clearly, none of them want to be the one to step forward and tell me the truth.

After all these years together, they were just going to sneak away in the night without an explanation.

Without even finishing their shifts.

Finally, Olivia comes forward, a determined look on her face. “Because they’re joining my restaurant.”

I turn to her, my eyebrows going up. “Your restaurant?”

She nods.

“But why? Am I not good enough to work for?”

She shrugs. “I just haven’t enjoyed working for you. I’ve felt for a long time that I could do a better job,

and so I started my own place.”

I thought we were friends, but I can see now that I was mistaken. That realization alone is almost as

shocking as the news that every single one of my employees wants to work for her over me.

A wave of insecurity crashes into me. Maybe I’m not as good a boss as I thought I was. I’ve always

strived to make this a good place to work. A place where employees can actually enjoy their shifts, but

apparently, I didn’t do a good enough job.

I can feel Karl’s eyes on me, and I suddenly wish I just took a cab. Of course, after telling him I didn’t

need his help, he had to bear witness to my failure.

“I didn’t realize you felt that way,” I say as monotone as possible. I can’t let them see how hurt I am.

“You’re still stuck in this ridiculous family system.”

“Right.”

“And I just know my place will be really popular.” She looks around at the others. “Everyone else

agrees.”

no one pays him any mind.

hair, and pronounced limp, Ethan doesn’t come across as

feel the need to poach him

gesturing to

at Karl and Adam as they go. Olivia’s gaze

wonder how much of this has to do with

leave? I refused to get an important Alpha a reservation,

acted petty, and I’m sure she

advantage.

hand on the door. “Good luck,” she says. Clearly, she can’t

taste, but she obviously doesn’t care. “No employees. A

going to be

answer. She just grins and pushes her way

of silence, and I can’t bring myself to look

with Adam and Karl. He stacks the chairs. The injury

guess he’s used to working around

“Abby,” Adam starts.

meet his gaze, “I don’t really

Maybe you should just meet me tomorrow or

want me to

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

I think I’d like to be

good night’s

very much doubt I’ll be getting any sleep tonight,

explanation for this. The last thing I want to do is talk about it.

wrap my head around what I’m going to

even anything to

God, I’m so screwed.

to Karl. “I can’t deal with all

need

“You, cleaning? Now that would be a

brows pull together.

“Me and

leave, because he gives in for once.

spare Adam another

call you,” I

“Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. I respect your

support if you want to continue opening

we’ll talk about it

when he’s gone. Sometimes it feels more like we’re

a couple. Shouldn’t I want him to stay and comfort me?

I got rid of him the first

He nods and gets to work on

the tears fall. I can’t

order another drink, and the bartender pushes a glass of Vodka Soda across

I’ve had, and room teeters a bit as I take

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