**continuation from previous scene**

Priya had only just tucked away Mindy's business card when a firm male voice jolted her from behind.

"There you are."

Whirling around from the sink, her mouth tumbled open. "Mr. Dimitrov? This is the women's bathroom."

"I'm aware of that." John Dimitrov swaggered forward, cold eyes whiskey-glazed and underdeveloped chin thrust high. His suit—probably worth more than a month's rent—slightly creased after a long day at the office and schmoozing. "Don't tell me you're leaving so soon."

"It's been a long day, as I'm sure you can appreciate. And the parties nearly over."

"The party," he drawled, "is just getting started."

Instinct warned Priya to retreat but there wasn't anywhere for her to go. Nowhere but through him. "Mr. Dimitrov—"

"John. We're friends, Priya. Let's keep to first names," he said around a smarmy grin that might've been charming on anyone else. "How about we both head back to my place? I've got a gorgeous penthouse on 5th. Just finished renovations. There's a proposal I'd like to discuss with you over a bottle of wine. Or champagne, if you'd prefer"

He was close now. So close she could smell the hint of orange from the rind twisted into his drink. The same one he'd been kicking back all evening like water. "Anything you'd like to discuss, we can do so tomorrow during work hours. I'll call your assistant in the morning to schedule an appointment."

John raked hungry eyes over her like he hadn't listened to a single word.  "God, you're a striking young woman. Golden skin and eyes. Fuckable mouth I can't stop looking at. And then you ruin it with this ridiculous dress?" His chin dropped, gaze narrowed on her chest. "I can hardly make out the shape of your waist let alone anything else."

He took hold of her arm but Priya wrenched herself away, elbow bouncing off the wall—hard enough to make the bone sing—she squared off with him. And though she kept her shoulders steady, her knees wanted to buckle. "I don't know what kind of conversations you and Daniel have had about my...position on this team," she thrust up her chin, mustering authority and courage, "but I am an associate." She drilled a finger into his chest. "A fucking amazing one. I have a brain."

"Then use it." John closed in and it took everything inside of her not to give him an inch.

A millimeter.

"There's nothing wrong with getting your hands and knees dirty," he went on, "if it means giving head to get ahead. It's smart. Practical."

"How dare you."

"Oh, don't play the ingénue." John rocked with a laugh. "You want to keep it business. Alright. Let's do business." He lowered his mouth to her ear, his voice whisper soft but it punched her in the gut all the same. "You have something I want. Something I want very badly. What's it going to take? Hm? For us to become...better acquainted?"

Tears, the sear of them stung in her eyes, her throat. And unexpected urge to let them flow overwhelmed her into silence. This was not the sort of reaction she'd expected in a moment like this, and damned if she was going to give in and let him see just how wounded, how angry—how scared—she truly was in this moment.

"I think you should leave."

His eyes darkened, humor swallowed beneath the storm of waking temper. "No."

"If you won't leave, then I will." Elbowing past him, he grunted as she shoved him against the marble counter and jogged for the door. Found it locked. Bastard. She'd only just turned the brass knob when his hand slammed on the door, anchoring it.

"I don't think you appreciate what's at stake here." Hot breath washed over her neck. His other hand closed around her waist. High. His thumb wedged in the base of her cleavage. Erection hard on the back of her thigh. "Do you know who I am?"

"I do," she whispered. "A fucking asshole!" Twisting around, she drove her knee in-between his—until she found that pitiful twig he'd poked her with—and snapped it.

John's eyes bulged. Blue brightened by the red wash of alarm. His gasp was equal parts sob and scream as he bunched over and collapsed at her feet.

Wrenching open the door, Priya ran.

#

Exhausted—emotionally and physically—Priya pressed shaking hands to her face and smothered the urge to sob. She wasn't going to cry.

No, not now. Not for him. Not over this.

She'd hoped by putting her most professional foot forward she'd force his hand—and give him no recourse but to see her as an asset. Not an 'ass'. She'd been witty, poised, refined and prepared. But clearly it didn't matter. But just because Daniel's interests in her on his team was about as shallow as a shot glass, that didn't mean she'd stop fighting.

The war was far from lost.

In the silence, Priya's phone rattled and hummed like a bomb about to explode. No doubt Daniel, receiving word of what happened in the ladies room. Wincing, she dug into her clutch and peaked at her screen. Ten—no twelve notifications—in varying degrees of livid. Letting her know in now short order he was not happy.

She buried it back in her bag as the town car slid to a stop.

"Thanks, Nigel."

"Have a wonderful night, Miss Seth."

Priya poured herself out of the backseat, shut the door and halted on the curb.

Jason Nakoa sat on the steps outside his unit. Long waves of gilded mahogany hair, windswept to the side, all rumpled and gorgeous in the wash of awful lamppost lighting. He was like a picture out of a romance novel, and sight of him any other time would've made the bones in her knees melt.

His eyes popped up just as the car slid away. <Hi. Again.>

"You're up late."

<Facetime with the 'rents vacationing in Hong Kong.> He wiggled his phone, and rose from the steps before sliding it into his back pocket. < I get better connection out here.>

"Hm. Starting to think you're following me," Priya teased, though the effort was half-hearted. Jason's lips parted with a silent laugh—and wow, what that did to the man's already perfect face.

Jason stroked a finger across her chin before capturing it gently with his hand. He didn't say anything, but he didn't need to. The concerned slant of his brows spoke for him: Are you okay?

Priya closed her hand around his wrist, nodded. "Yeah. Just a really...really long day."

She saw his tongue move along his teeth behind lips closed, as if he were tasting her response. Sampling its flavor in search of truth, and not appearing at all convinced.

Jason nodded, released her and stepped away. And held there as she moved past him and lumbered up the townhouse steps.

Inside, she kicked off her heels and chucked her clutch onto the side table. It bounced then tumbled to the floor. Her phone spilling out. It vibrated viciously with a fresh wave of messages.

"Fuck you, Daniel."

Her phone responded with a ping instead of a chime. Email.

Mustering her nerve, Priya picked up her phone, swiped her thumb across the screen and opened her inbox to an unread email from Heather, Marai's executive assistant, with all of HR and the senior partners cc'd.

It was brief, carried all the impact of a bullet shot at close range.

Dear Priyanka Seth,

It is with careful consideration due to concerns raised by our senior partner that, effectively immediately, your employment has been terminated.

See attached for your termination package.

Please seek independent counsel if required, review, sign and return to us before end of day Friday to ensure transfer of any monies, otherwise this offer will expire, and you will receive only as outlined in your fully executed employment contract.

Regards,

Heather Tobin, sent on behalf of named and founding partner, Marai Nagao

Fired.

Fired.

Fired.

The word circulated through her, slicing and gouging. Snagging tender skin and nerves. It sounded wrong. A piece in a puzzle she couldn't make fit no matter how hard she pressed.

Priya snorted. Giggled. Laughed.

Slumped against the wall, it rolled out of her as she slid to the floor. Full-bodied and loud. Then broke. Became liquid.

Laughter bled into tears.

And finally, alone in the dark, she wept.

**OMGGGGF HERE WE GO!!! We're BACK and naturally, Priya spoke loudest - telling me we weren't quite done with her previous chapter.

Part of the issue with diving back into this book was pinning down what did I see happening next for Priya because WoW this moment hadn't been part of the original plan.

BUUUUTTTT I hope when it all comes together you'll enjoy the crazy ride all the more once you see how it all comes together 😉

Tell me what you think and who you hope is up next!!!