Chapter 13

Kylie stumbled back and crashed to the floor, her knees barking in pain. She grabbed her stinging cheek, gawking up at Brynn like she couldn’t believe it. “How could you?”

“You little punk, have you lost it?” Randy, off to the side, couldn’t wrap his head around Brynn having the nerve to smack Kylie right in front of him. His brows scrunched up, his voice tight with annoyance. He could feel his grip slipping. “How dare you?”

Brynn brushed her hands off like she’d touched something nasty and shrugged. “What’s holding me back?” Her tone was chill, as if it were no big deal. She stood over Kylie, a smirk tugging at her mouth. “Didn’t you just say I hit you? Figured I’d make it legit—didn’t want to waste that big dramatic scene you put on.”

Kylie sat there, sprawled out, too shocked to talk. The old Brynn didn’t have this kind of spark. She was stumped.

“I’ve been playing it cool ‘til now,” Brynn said, her lips curling into a little mocking grin. “What, you thought I was a doormat? Heads-up: I don’t let stuff slide.”

“You—you’re such a jerk!” Kylie stammered, her voice wobbling like she might cry.

Randy’s hands shook with rage as he stared Brynn down, his face like a thundercloud. Brynn didn’t budge. “You don’t mess with me, I don’t mess with you. Easy peasy.”

With that, she slid into a slick leather chair and plopped down, cool as ever.

“Dad, you know what I can do,” she said, locking eyes with Randy before flicking a look at Kylie, who was fumbling to get up. “I don’t fuss over little things, but if someone steps over the line…” She let it hang there, heavy. “Well, maybe one day I’ll feel like cashing in on all those cute threats Kylie’s been throwing around.”

Randy’s face went dark. He caught her drift loud and clear, and his fists balled up. But he knew she wasn’t kidding—she could pull it off. He stood there, simmering quietly. It just made him madder. With a scowl, he spun around.

“So maybe some people should watch their traps and quit the nonsense?” Brynn tossed out, her voice all fake-sweet. “Don’t you think?”

Randy didn’t bite. Jaw locked, he stomped out of the office.

Kylie stayed put, stuck in place, until Randy’s sharp yell hit her. “What are you standing there for? Get out of here! You’re making a fool of yourself.”

Tears pooled in Kylie’s eyes. She sniffled, head down as she scurried after him, too embarrassed to talk.

The second they were gone, the employees who’d been peeking in broke the silence, going wild.

“Holy crap, that was insane,” one of them blurted.

“Ms. Everett. You’re a freaking beast! That was unreal!” another said, practically shouting.

“So badass,” someone mumbled under their breath.

“You’re our hero now,” another grinned, half-laughing.

The cheers got louder, rowdier, until the whole office was buzzing with laughs and chatter. Brynn glanced at her crew, all throwing her thumbs-ups, and cracked a small, laid-back smile as she leaned back, taking it all in.

In a corner nobody clocked, the Suncrest Group head—who’d seen the whole thing—gave a quiet nod, pulled out his phone, and dialed. The call picked up fast. Keeping his tone even, he ran through what just happened. Then he added… “Mr. President, chill out. She’s sharp as hell—didn’t let anybody step on her, not for a second.” Even he couldn’t help feeling a little impressed as he glanced at Brynn. Now he got why she’d won over the president. He shook his head with a tiny smirk.

“Alright, alright, enough with the hype squad,” Brynn called out. She waved a hand at her pumped-up team with a playful grin. “Back to work, you burns.”

They cracked up, splitting off to their desks with a fresh buzz, jumping into their stuff like they’d just chugged an energy drink. Only her assistant hung back, sticking close with a worried look plastered on her face.

“What’s up?” Brynn asked, clocking the worry on her assistant’s face.

She leaned forward with a playful grin. “Jenna, don’t go all grumpy cat on me. Smile a little, or you’ll get wrinkles.”

Jenna let out a quiet sigh. “Mrs. Johnson, I can’t laugh right now.” Her voice dropped low. “You were so wrapped up with wedding stuff before, I didn’t want to pile on—but I found out Kylie’s been sneaking around, sweet-talking our team behind your back.”

Brynn blinked, not exactly surprised. She just looked at Jenna, calm as ever. It was pure Kylie. She gave a little nod, letting Jenna know she was following.

Jenna, seeing Brynn so chill, couldn’t hold in her irritation. “Mrs. Johnson… how are you not losing it? Yeah, you nabbed the project back, but what’s stopping Kylie from screwing you over on the down-low?”

You can’t trust everyone close by, Jenna thought, frowning. If Kylie turned someone on the team and they started sabotaging stuff, it’d hit out of nowhere.

“Ms. Everett, I know you’re good at this,” Jenna pushed, her voice dead serious. “But I know how people work, too. You’re killer at this gig, no doubt, but now the whole company knows you’re not the Everett family’s golden kid. Kylie’s coming for you every chance she gets. Give it time, and folks might start giving you the cold shoulder.”

As she talked, Jenna trailed Brynn into the office, shutting the door with a quick flick of her wrist. Brynn plopped down behind her desk and let out a soft breath. “I’m not clueless about any of that.”

Jenna nodded, then braced herself, meeting Brynn’s eyes head-on. “I think you should ditch the Everett Group and go solo.”

“With your chops? You’d kill it,” she said, without hesitation. “Staying here’s just dragging you down. If you’re in, I’d be the first one jumping ship with you—Jenna Ellis, ready to roll.”

Chapter B

Brynn leaned back, caught off guard by the fire in Jenna’s face. She went quiet for a second, taking it in. She knew Jenna was a fan, but this? This full-on trust, ready to ditch everything and tag along—it hit her square in the feels.

A little smile slipped out. “You know, I’ve been kicking that idea around for a bit,” she admitted, keeping it low-key.

Jenna’s face lit up, a burst of excitement sparking in her eyes.

“But it’s not go-time yet,” Brynn added, her voice steady and sharp. “The Suncrest project’s mine again, and I’ve got to finish it right. Wrapping it up gives me the juice I need to bounce from the Everett Group with something real in my pocket.”

She let out a dry laugh. “With Randy’s ego? The minute I go solo, he’ll come gunning for payback.”

Going out on her own wasn’t enough—she’d need ammo, solid projects, real wins to back her up. She chewed on it quietly. That was the only way she’d hold her own against Randy. She looked up at Jenna again.

“You’ve always got it all mapped out,” Jenna said, her voice dripping with awe, eyes practically glowing. “It’s crazy.”

She grinned to herself. She’d bet on the right horse.

“Do your thing,” Jenna went on, dead-set. “Anything you need, just holler—I’m your girl.”

Brynn felt a warm buzz from Jenna’s rock-solid loyalty. Her face softened.

“Still,” she said, keeping it real, “tagging along with me might not be the slam dunk you’re thinking.” Her tone stayed even, laying it out straight. “I can’t stand Randy or Kylie, no lie, but the Everett Group’s got legs. You’d be set here.”

“If you roll with me, it’s a fresh start—total toss-up,” she added, holding Jenna’s stare.

But Jenna didn’t blink. If anything, her grin got bigger. She shook her head, not fazed a bit.

“Ms. Everett, I’ve never told you this,” Jenna said, a warm smile spreading across her face, “but I only joined the Everett Group because of you.”

Brynn stopped cold. “Me?”

This… well, it threw her off. She leaned back in her chair, waiting for Jenna to lay it out.