Category: CITW: Side Story

Chapter 88.5: Humbled II

Chenae’s POV

Antoine called and said I should be ready to go when he arrives to pick me up for Fall Break. The schedule works out for him because he’s trying to land a major distribution deal, and I’m beyond ready to go home to Momma’s.

I asked Momma why Antoine seems to want to spend so much time with me. She said that he told Pierre he’d take over. He told Momma that he hopes to help reconcile me and Pierre before I dig myself into a hole with my big brother that I can’t get out of. I’m confused by that. I know Pierre is angry with me but I don’t think he’s that mad.

After my last class ends on Wednesday, I pack up my books and laptop and head to the gate. I’m ready to go and I’m glad to see Antoine’s already waiting on me. He steps out of the car and he’s mobbed. Continue reading →

Chapter 87.5: Unpleasant Duties, Part III

Piman’s POV
Friday Afternoon (the day of the firing)

“We have an interesting dilemma,” Thomas says, eyeing the rock garden.

“Interesting dilemma?” I’m contemplating the patterns. We’re at the Morikami Gardens in Boca Raton. I prefer this area. Who expects hoods to do business at a Japanese garden? Boca is a retiree haven, not a gang hotspot.

Looks are deceiving.

“We have five disloyal RangeMen that are being fired”—he glances at his watch—”right now.”

I stare at him. “I’ve heard nothing of disloyalty from Pedro.”

“He’s one of them.” Continue reading →

Chapter 85.5 Intelligent Guessing?

This chapter is simultaneous with ‘You aren’t Sexist? Really?

Meanwhile, in Texas

Tank’s POV

(All conversations in Spanish once Hector joins in.)

Little Girl won’t tell us what this survey is about. She just asked us to take it. Bobby’s been grinning all morning; I’m betting he knows.

I finally finish it and I get an email with my results. Damn. I gotta remember Steph is sneaky, but I’m happy I didn’t embarrass myself. 0.87 in Hostile Sexism, 2.42 in Benevolent Sexism. I’m not a sexist but I have some tendencies.

Les pokes his head in. He doesn’t look happy. “How’d you come out?”

I grunt and wave at the chair. He and Bobby walk in. “Clean. 0.87 Hostile, 2.42 Benevolent. I’m not a sexist asshole. You?”

He grimaces. “1.27 Hostile; 2.81 Benevolent.”

We cringe and I look at Bobby. “0.87 Hostile, 2.09 Benevolent.” I nod. My phone rings.

“Yo!”

“Yo! I took Angelita’s survey.” We all look at each other in surprise. Didn’t know Hector was taking it too. Continue reading →

Chapter 84.7: The Women’s Brain Trust Unites

Candy’s POV—Sunday Night

I’m doing the research, reading back through my college texts and looking in SHRM for the answer.

How on earth do you fight sexism when a lot of women can’t even agree on a definition? Personally, I like the definition ‘discrimination based on gender and the attitudes, stereotypes, and the cultural elements that promote this discrimination,’ because it acknowledges both the act and the supporting culture, but I’m betting there will be at least one woman in the brain trust who disagrees with me.

That’s important in Miami. The culture supports this kind of discrimination. This is also going to be a hard discussion for the company leadership. I wonder if Steph plans to bring this up with the Leadership Core. The RangeMan ‘culture’ is militaristic and highly male-oriented. Men own the company, men run the company, and men are 99% of the company. Steph and I are the only company-wide leaders.

This could get sticky. Continue reading →

Chapter 83.5: 72 Hours with the Equal Rights Warrior

“Time and trouble will tame an advanced young woman,
but an advanced old woman is uncontrollable by any earthly force.” ~ Dorothy Sayers

Edna’s POV

Hot Damn! An all-expenses paid vacation to Miami!

I hang up the phone and start packing. Stephie said the flight would leave Newark at noon tomorrow and one of her RangeMen would pick me up at 10 a.m. and escort me to the airport. I’m thrilled.

Stephie said that she needed help teaching a bunch of sexists to fear the power of a woman. Not a problem. I marched in the 70s for the ERA and I still regret it didn’t pass. I spent years as a housewife only to get screwed in the end. I now live with my propriety-obsessed daughter and her quietly compliant husband.

That house is hell. Continue reading →

Chapter 81.5 We Woo, Part III

Diego’s POV—Wednesday

Plum worship is in effect in Miami.

Miami leadership loves her. Thomas and I haven’t had to buy flowers for the CO yet. Mario came in on Saturday with a special bouquet. He said it was just in case she was still traumatized from her kidnapping but he blushed slightly. That’s Mario’s tell. I asked what they were really for. He admitted he’s talked to the rest of the men around the company. He found out she loves flowers, doughnuts, dancing, and naps. Since dancing was a bust, he brought flowers.

Deuce brought in half a dozen doughnuts. He and Mario talked to Marcus and found out that she had been converted to Krispy Kreme. He stalked a KK for 45 minutes that morning, waiting to get her a hot, fresh half dozen, but since he had no intentions of getting his ass beat by Hal, he gave those to Maria to give to the CO as appropriate. I went back to my office and laughed my ass off.

That explains the glaze in the corners of Steph’s mouth and her obvious happiness during what I expected to be a tense and unhappy meeting. Continue reading →

Chapter 79.5 Information from the strangest places

A/N: This was a one-shot request, but I’d planned for this in the story also. So, thank you to Roscommon for the prompt! It made writing this chapter much easier.

Ram’s POV—Monday Afternoon

Another day, another schedule. I wonder if Hector has a program to do this automatically. Again, staffing is tight. Hal planned to hire an entire class of RangeMan recruits today, but Junior and I will do it later this week.

This op has to end soon. As soon as we get our men back, they leave again. I understand Hal’s frustration now. We have the crown. We have to keep the crown and not having our leadership here is killing us. Continue reading →

Chapter 77.5 Unpleasant Duties, Part II

A/N: Tank’s POVs take place during the first week of Steph’s Miami trip.

Tank’s POV

This is probably the hardest apology I’m going to issue but I’m determined. I just wish I could get the nasty taste out of my mouth.

“Sir. Welcome to Boston.”

Mark has his blank face on but I detect confusion. Good. I nod and toss my bags in the back seat. I climb in and we travel to RM Boston in silence. We arrive and I note the silence on the floor. Everyone is confused. Good. I travel up to Les’s apartment, stash my bags, then head downstairs. I get off the elevator at 5 and walk to Mark’s office.

“Bring the results of Steph’s report with you.” Continue reading →

Chapter 77.3: We Woo, Part II

A/N: Mike is the man Danny has recommended as an XO candidate. Since there’s no real way for you to meet him during the Boston trip, this is your chance to get to know him.

Mike’s POV—Monday

The CO’s just left the gym and every man is quiet.

She holds our lives in her hands.

She holds Mark’s life in her hands.

She holds Pat’s and Rod’s lives in her hands.

And she knows nothing good about this branch. That’s a huge problem. Continue reading →

Chapter 76.7 Unpleasant Duties, Part I

A/N: Bobby POV take place during Steph’s Boston trip.

Bobby’s POV

I’m not known as a cold, vindictive person. That’s good. It means I’m constantly underestimated. I have my moments. I feel rage and anger like the next person, but my default is peace and happy. I’ve seen enough blood, guts, and gore in the world. I don’t need to live in that. I usually rid myself of those feelings quickly and return to my normal state of calm amusement.

Unfortunately, I’m also capable of holding a grudge. A long, detailed, unforgiving one. A harsh one if you piss me off.

I’m pissed off. I have a former subordinate still walking the face of this earth without proper punishment. Continue reading →