Ramagos, Tonya - Strictly Accountable [Stud Service 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Tonya Ramagos Read Free Book Online

should be.”
    This time, Rita opened her mouth to speak, but again Sabrina bulldozed over her. “I’ve done nothing to earn your disrespect and I will not tolerate it any further, especially out there in the middle of that kiosk where anyone walking by can hear. If you can’t handle working for me for whatever reason, let me know now, and I’ll find a replacement. Perhaps Lucille can put you to work at the main office a few days a week.”
    Rita’s jaw dropped and Sabrina knew the other woman never expected to be called on her behavior, much less threatened the way she was now. Well, that was just too bad.
    “I don’t want to work at the main office.” The sarcasm remained in Rita’s voice, but she toned down the volume to a reasonable level.
    Sabrina nodded once. “Fine, then I’ll trust we won’t have any more trouble between us. I’m late for an appointment. If you get backed up again, call me .” She opened the office door, waited for Rita to exit, and closed and locked the door. With no Todd in immediate sight, she took the keys to the customer service desk as he’d requested and left. Betsy was the greeter on duty today, but a serious line to her lips replaced the warm smile she usually wore.
    “It’s about time you took care of that,” she whispered conspiratorially.
    Horrified, Sabrina gasped. “You heard?”
    Betsy shook her head. “I saw the two of you disappear into Todd’s office. I guessed you were finally putting her in her place.”
    Sabrina shrugged. She silently hoped no one else realized what just transpired. “A girl can only take so much. I’ll see you later, Betsy.” She tossed back a wave and a smile as she dug in her purse for her cell phone with her free hand. She touched Lucille’s speed dial as she stepped into the parking lot and headed for her car.
    “Mason Tax Service. This is Lucille speaking. How can I help you?” Her boss’s chipper mood resonated through the wireless line.
    “I just called to give you a heads-up,” Sabrina said in lieu of hello.
    “Uh-oh, I don’t like heads-ups. They usually mean trouble.”
    “And this one is no different, especially in reference to my office these days.” Sabrina pushed out a breath.
    Lucille’s slightly teasing tone instantly sobered. “Do I need to call her and talk to her?”
    “No, that’s part of the problem now.” Sabrina swapped her phone to her other ear as she pulled her keys from her purse and unlocked her car door. “I’m younger, more experienced, and I’m her immediate boss. If this is going to work out at all, I’ve got to handle it myself, which is precisely what I did this morning.” She proceeded to fill Lucille in on her conversation with Rita.
    “Sounds like you handled it okay to me.” Lucille had her back. She never doubted she would have issues there. “And how are things going with Mr. Holt?”
    Sabrina slid behind the wheel of her car, started the engine, and exchanged her cell phone for her Bluetooth. “I’m headed there now.” She glanced over her shoulder, and, seeing the lane was clear, backed out of the parking space. “I’m late.”
    She heard her call-waiting beep just as Lucille said, “I won’t keep you then. But you keep me posted on what’s going on with Rita and Mr. Holt.”
    “Will do.” Sabrina pushed the button on her Bluetooth to swap wireless lines and said a silent prayer she didn’t drop the waiting call. She did a happy bounce in her seat when her mother’s voice flooded the line. “Hi, Mom. What’s up?”
    “Did you call last night, sweetheart?”
    “I did. And where were you? On a hot date?” she teased. Her mother’s giggle made her smile.
    “As a matter of fact, your father took me dancing.”
    “Ooo, lucky you.” Sabrina looked both ways as she crossed into traffic then settled back in her seat for the drive to Holt’em Up Ranch. “Did you have fun?”
    “We had a blast.” The hesitation in Maria’s voice should’ve been Sabrina’s