“None of your concern, Corey.” Ben tried to answer for me but I wasn’t having it. Corey wasn’t speaking to Ben that way any longer.
“I’m your replacement.” I growled my words and leaned closer to him; he couldn’t do anything to me all banged up like he was.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I heard Ben whisper.
“My replacement, you?” I wondered if Corey was ever intimidating. It was hard to be afraid of him in his current state.
“It’s not important, Corey, is it? What’s important is the fact you’re shouting so loud it’s echoing through this whole big house. All the guys can hear you and how you’re speaking to Mr. Asher. None of them are liking you right now.” All I knew was that Gogo and I overheard, but I had a feeling the others would find out.
“Oh please, they probably agree with me.”
I shook my head. “They don’t. You’re alone in your opinions and you’re wrong to invade someone’s privacy. Do you realize that by exposing personal information, some of these guys would face impossible futures. Most of them think of Supernal as home. I don’t think they’ll be too grateful that you ruined their lives.” I stood and shrugged. “But, you know them better than me, isn’t that right?”
I shot Ben a wink when Corey looked away. He seemed surprised. Yeah, the man needed someone watching his back, and I was happy to be that person.
9
Ben
Crew being a knight in shining armor shouldn’t surprise me based on what I’d figured out about him. Yet, there I was, wide-eyed as he winked at me. My heart was threatening to burst out of my chest, and I’d never felt such gratitude in my life.
Corey was speechless and his glance flitted between Crew and me. “You’re new here, you don’t know what you’re getting into. I do know these guys better than you, you’re right. And I think if they find out what boss man is hiding they’ll—”
Crew pushed Corey’s wheelchair back hard and fast until it crashed against the wall. Crew was right there to hold the wheelchair in place so Corey didn’t jostle too much, but I could see the fear in his eyes as Crew hovered over him, his hands on the arms of the chair.
“You don’t know shit about me, I look at you and see a baby. New to this world, not knowing what a hard life is. You want to come in here and burn bridges, you better be damn sure you have a clean escape route, and from where I’m standing, you got nowhere to go. That means, to get out of this you’ll have to walk through the flames, little man. That something you’re prepared to do?”
All I could do was stand there and watch, as Crew stood between me and Corey, protecting me and the men he barely knew. I was mesmerized.
“I deserve more than a ‘have a nice day.’” Corey’s tone had changed, he was defensive now and I was sure it had to do with Crew’s proximity.
“You deserve shit—”
“Crew.” I went over to them and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I appreciate you stepping in, I think I can handle this part.”
I offered him a small smile, glad when it was returned. Crew didn’t leave my office but he backed off and with arms crossed over his chest, he glowered over at Corey.
“Corey, I’ve agreed to handle all your medical expenses, rehabilitation, and care until you’re on your feet. Part of that was a place to stay. When you’re moving around again you can choose where to go from there.”
He was silent for a moment. After a quick glance at Crew he made eye contact with me. “But it can’t be here, right?”
“No. And if you decide to make this ugly, Corey, you’ll be met with nothing but legal nightmares and no chance of getting out of the hole you’ll dig.”
I hit the button on my phone signaling for Dane to come to my office. Once he arrived, I gestured to Corey. “He’s ready to go, please have Raymond drive him back to the hospital.”
“Yes, sir.” Dane went over to Corey.
“I’ll contact you in a few days, Corey. You let me know how you’ll proceed then.”
He didn’t say anything and once he and Dane were gone, I gave all my attention to Crew. He was glaring at where Corey exited.
“Thank you, Crew.”
His head whipped around and he smiled. “I didn’t like how he was talking to you.”
I hummed and nodded. “I can see that. I did have it handled though.”
“I have no doubt you could have handled him…it’s just, he was so out of line.”