That’s what Grace kept saying to herself as she geared up for the bimonthly meeting with her colleagues. She was bound and determined to set a new course with her job, starting with calling Richard out on his passive-aggressive way of dumping work on her by implying she wasn’t holding up her end. She needed everyone to collaborate on Dameon’s project. It was simply too much for one person to do. And on a personal level, she knew it was important for things to move swiftly to meet his goals. Besides, it was smart to bring others in. If her relationship became public knowledge, she didn’t want Richard accusing her of playing favorites. Which would be hard for her not to do, if she was honest with herself.

It was afternoon nearly a week into the new year when Grace sat in the conference room with Evan, Lionel, and Adrian. The interns had switched out, and two new college kids took their places.

Richard walked in a few minutes late. He was followed by Vivian Jewel, who was the head of their human resources department.

Her presence wasn’t a normal occurrence, and everyone in the room seemed surprised to see her there.

“I asked Vivian to join us,” Richard said before he took his seat.

Evan looked at Grace and shrugged.

The interns eagerly sat up with their notepads opened.

Adrian started passing around a folder.

Richard stopped him. “I thought we’d start with Grace today.”

Grace felt her breath catch. Since when was she first . . . and when had he realized she had a first name?

Adrian pulled his folders back, and Grace told her heart rate to slow down.

She found her gaze collide with Vivian’s.

The woman’s smile felt off.

“Uhm . . . okay.” Grace cringed. When did she ever stutter? “I have a lot to go over.” She started with her most pressing files before moving on to Dameon’s project. “I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the early side of the Locke Enterprises project to help save time later. Richard, you told me when you handed me this last month that it was something new for me to tackle. When I took a good look, I realized there isn’t anything new here, just more of it. I need more hands if we’re going to expedite this project.”

“What’s the hurry?” Richard asked.

“Dameon . . . Mr. Locke,” she corrected herself, “told us both he wanted to break ground by spring. Get through the rainy season and acquire the necessary permits and zoning changes.”

“We won’t rush anything if it isn’t right.”

“I don’t believe I said we should do that. I’m saying I need more manpower to accommodate the land developer’s request. It seems reasonable—”

“If you’re unable to do the—”

“I didn’t say I was unable.” Why was he throwing words in her mouth? “I’m suggesting if anyone is leaving early or has a half a day to throw toward this, I could use them.” She looked around the room.

No one said a thing. Even Evan looked too scared to come to her defense.

“I’ll take that into consideration,” Richard said.

Grace moved away from Dameon’s project. “I’ve put into motion a crew to begin work on the Sokolov project next week.” She slid over the necessary paperwork that needed Richard’s signature.

Richard looked at it, looked at her, and slid it back across the table. “We’ve decided to work with the landowner.”

“Excuse me?”

“I met with Mr. Sokolov myself. Leave his file on my desk. That should free up a few hours for you.”

“Did he hire—”

“I have it handled, Grace. Is that all?”

Why did she feel like she was in quicksand?

“Yes.”

Richard turned his attention away. “Lionel . . . where are we on the wash?”

And the subject was changed. For the next forty-five minutes, reports were given and ideas were exchanged. For the most part, Grace fell silent.

When the meeting was over, Richard and Vivian stayed behind while everyone else left the room and headed straight to the water cooler room.

“Do you know what’s going on?” Adrian asked once they were out of earshot of their boss.

“That was strange, right?” Grace asked.

“Did someone file a complaint against Richard?” Evan asked.

“Do you think that’s why Vivian was in there?” Grace asked.

“Why else would HR be in our meeting?” Adrian poured a cup of coffee.

Grace knew she didn’t file a complaint, not that she wasn’t willing to. And if Evan had, he would have told her.

“I suppose we’ll find out sooner or later.” Lionel walked out of the room, Adrian followed.

“Why did he start with me?” Grace asked Evan. “And he even used my first name.”

“Maybe he wanted to impress Vivian.”

Something didn’t smell right. Her hand reached for the necklace Dameon had given her and she heard his voice in her head. “Know your worth.”

Thirty minutes before the workday was over, her olfactory senses were confirmed.

Richard requested a meeting with her in a conference room.

When she arrived, Vivian was there sitting to Richard’s left. A man she didn’t know was on Richard’s right. One chair sat on the opposite side of the table making it painfully clear she was sitting in the hot seat.

“What’s going on?” Grace asked before she sat down.

“Please have a seat, Miss Hudson,” the man she didn’t know said.

Her palms started to sweat. This wasn’t good.

She sat as calmly as she could and folded her hands in her lap.

“Grace,” Vivian started. “This is Mr. Simons. He’s one of the city’s attorneys.”

“Okay.”

“Do you know why I’m here?” Mr. Simons asked.

“I have no idea what’s going on.”

The attorney kept a stoic expression while Vivian smiled.

Richard was something in the middle. “The city received a formal complaint where you were named.”

“What kind of complaint?”

“The city has been accused of asking for money in order to approve permits.”

“All permits cost money,” Grace told them.

“Not a fee, Miss Hudson. A bribe.”

Grace closed her eyes and sighed. Sokolov. “This is about Mr. Sokolov on the Sierra Highway project, isn’t it, Richard?”

“So you know about this,” Mr. Simons said.

“A bribe was offered. But not requested by me. I informed Richard the day after it happened.” Only Richard was looking everywhere but at her.

“Why not immediately?” Mr. Simons asked.

“It was late. After hours.”

Richard sat shaking his head and saying nothing.

“You explained to them what happened, right, Richard?” He finally made eye contact with her.

“I told them what you told me,” Richard started. “And that you didn’t want to press charges.”

“I didn’t think it was necessary.” Only now she was kicking herself for that decision.

“When the city is faced with pending legal action of this nature, we have very strict protocols that have to be put in place,” Vivian said.