Sloan’s frown deepened. “Why?”
“We haven’t gotten paid yet. Figured we’d see what was going on.” Jared dropped his gaze back to his phone like that was the end of it.
Something inside Sloan snapped. His hand tightened into a fist on the desk as that image from this morning hit him again of Becky standing in their kitchen, looking exhausted and pale. Now these assholes were in his office worrying about their paychecks. As if they needed it right now. He paid them enough that they’d be fine without a paycheck for a month or even more.
Sloan stood slowly, his eyes already darkening. “Get the fuck out of my office.” His voice dropped, low and controlled, which made him even more formidable. “You’ll get your fucking paycheck when I say so. And you do not question Becky on anything. You got me?”
“We’re not upset or anything at Becky,” Sid tried to explain. “It’s just some of us got paid and others didn’t. We just wanted to know if there was a problem.”
“There is going to be a big fucking problem if every single one of you don’t walk out of my office.” Sloan growled, his eyes narrowed dangerously. “You will get your paycheck by the end of the day. Now get out and get your asses to work.”
As everyone filed out, Sloan sat back down, his glare following every last one of them until they cleared the room.
And then Steve stopped in front of his desk.
Fuck.
“What?” Sloan snapped.
“I—ah… well… I’m good on my check,” Steve said, talking fast like that might save him from Sloan’s fury. “I mean, I didn’t get it yet either, but that’s not why I’m here.”
Sloan just looked at him, one brow lifting, waiting for him to get to the damn point.
“This is probably a really bad time to ask this,” Steve added, grimacing just as Viktor walked in.
“Steve,” Sloan said, already losing patience as he glanced at Viktor, then back at him. “Get to the fucking point.”
“Right. Okay.” Steve nodded like he was psyching himself up even rolled his shoulders like he was getting ready to defend his title in a fight. “Drew’s starting school soon, and I wanted to take her and Mira to King’s Island for the weekend. Like… a normal family thing. Kent said he’d cover my shifts. I’m not just ditching out or anything. I like my job. I need my job. Big fan of the job.”
“When?” Sloan asked, cutting him off.
“Friday. I’ll be back for my Sunday shift,” Steve said quickly. “And I’ll stay close. If something goes down, I can be back fast. I just… wanted to do something with Drew before she starts school. I mean, once she starts, before we know it she will be leaving for college and?—”
Sloan studied him for a second before cutting him off again. “Fine.”
“Then she’s married to some dumb fuck I want to kill on the daily and having....huh?” Steve stopped his rambling with a confused look on his face.
When Steve just stared at him with a confused look on his face, Sloan rolled his eyes.
“Be back for your shift Sunday, Steve.” Sloan glared at him knowing this conversation wasn’t over because, it was Steve.
“Really?” Steve finally asked still looking a little shocked, which made Sloan wonder if he was that big of an asshole. Sloan knew the answer to that. Yes, he was that big of an asshole.
“No, I’m fucking lying.” Sloan sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Get the fuck out of here Steve and don’t be late for your shift on Sunday.”
“Ah, you’re fucking with me.” Steve let out a breath and snorted. “Not used to you joking especially with me. Usually feels like you’re one bad day away from killing me.”
“What makes you think I’m not?” Sloan said, his eyes narrowing. “Get the fuck out.”
“Going!” Steve jumped, already moving for the door, then stopped like he forgot something. “Oh—uh, Mira wanted me to tell you if Becky needs help, she’s more than willing to jump in.”
“I appreciate that,” Sloan said after a second of hesitation, and meant it.
Steve also hesitated, then added, a little more serious now, “I know Jared can be a dick about his check, but Mira handles our stuff. We’re good. Becky doesn’t need to be killing herself over it.” He shrugged. “She looks really tired. And thanks Sloan. See ya Viktor.”
“Have fun on your trip, Steve,” Viktor grinned watching Steve hurry out the door. “That fucking kid is a mess, but a good dad to Drew.”
Sloan didn’t say anything. He couldn’t. His throat had tightened, the words just sitting there as it hit him that it wasn’t just himseeing it—everyone else was noticing something was off with Becky. And if he was being honest that messed with him in a bad way.