Well, we would have to talk about that later. For now, I needed to settle things with my soon to beformersecond-in-command.
“Azz’lx,” I said, frowning at him. “Are you still going to try and deny that you sent Natalie away in your crawler to a dangerous tunnel outside of Gaz’snx and then called her pimp and ordered him to kill her? And remember—all of this is being recorded by the viewscreen of my ship right now.”
“No, I don’t deny it—the little whore deserved it!” Azz’lx snapped, glaring at Natalie. “First she denied me what I wanted, then she madeyoumad at me. I knew if I let her stay she’d only cause more trouble so I tried to get rid of her.” He pointed at me. “And don’t bother trying to take me to Court or get the authorities involved—you knowhsh’fruxdon’t have any rights on O’nagga Nine. Nobody’s going to care.”
“I’m not going to try and get you arrested,” I growled. “I’m not even going to kill you—which is what I fuckingwantedto do.”
Azz’lx paled and took a step away from me.
“Vik’tor, listen to yourself! How can you be talking like this tomeof all people? Why, you’ve known me foryears!”
“No, Azz’lx—I’m beginning to think I never knew you at all,” I told him. “I never knew you were the kind of male who would try to rape a female—or try to have a helpless female killed, just to cover your ass. But I’mnotgoing to kill you, as I said. And you can thank Natalie for that,” I added. “She’s the one who begged for your life.”
“Thatfilthy whore?” Azz’lx snapped.
“Yeah, you’re welcome,” Natalie said dryly.
“Watch yourfuckingmouth!” I growled, glaring at him. “You’re not to speak of Natalie like that ever again if you want to keep breathing!”
“Baron…Vik’tor, please—she’s nogoodfor you!” he whined. “Can’t you see that the two of us were better off before she came into our lives? Just getridof her so we can go back to normal!”
“I’m afraid there’s no going back to ‘normal,’” I told him. “Because as of right now, you no longer work for me.”
“You’refiringme?” Azz’lx demanded, liked he couldn’t believe it.
“You fucking kidnapped the female I care about and tried to have her killed, you little bastard!” I growled. “And you’resurprisedI’m firing you? Well, get over it because fuck, yes! I’m fucking firing your ass—immediately!”
“But you can’t do this!” Azz’lx whined. “I—I’ll take you to court for wrongful termination!”
“I’ve been recording this whole exchange, remember?” I raised my eyebrows at him. “I don’t think any judge is going to find in your favor after hearing what you did and how you lied to try and cover your tracks. So effective immediately, you’re fucking terminated. And don’t bother coming to clean out your office, either—I’ll have Security ship your things to you.” I pointed at him. “Oh—and start packing because I want you moved out of my building inside of a week. I never want to see your fucking face again.”
“You…you…this is allyourfault!” Azz’lx raged, glaring at Natalie. He took a step towards her, his hands clenched into fists. “You got me fired, you little whore and I swear you’re going to pay for it!”
“Hey!” I pushed Natalie behind me and frowned down at him. “You’re never coming near her again. If you do, I won’t hold back again—I’ll fuckingkill you.”
The menace in my voice must have had an effect because Azz’lx paled and backed down.
“Oh, come on now, Boss…” he began, clearly trying to make peace.
Just a fucking lick-spittle coward at heart,I thought, feeling nothing but contempt for him. My hands were curled into fists, aching to punch his fucking face.
“Not your boss anymore,” I said grimly. “Expect your things tomorrow. And don’t bother asking for a reference,” I added. “Because youdon’twant me talking to anyone stupid enough to think of hiring you—you lying sack of shit!”
Then I turned and put my arm around Natalie.
“C’mon, baby—let’s go,” I told her and we headed for the ship.
Behind us, I could hear Azz’lx raging.
“You can’t do this! You can’t do this to me! You’ll be sorry—I swear I’ll make you both sorry!”
When we got into the ship with the door closed, Natalie looked at me uncertainly.
“He seems pretty upset—you think he’ll really try to come after us?”
“Nah…” I shook my head. “Don’t worry about him, baby—he can’t do a thing to hurt you.”
I was wrong…but I didn’t know that then and I wouldn’t find out for a while…not until it was too late.