Blackmail
For @amonthofwhump 12 days of Whumpmas, here's day 6 - Blackmail. And a little sneak peek at future Dany, after she's free from Ridley. (Or, boss!Dany, as I like to call her).
References the ongoing (explicit) Christmas party arc [On Tumblr] [On Ao3]
As all Dany pieces, this is dedicated to @hackles-up
Thus, cw for referenced past noncon.
[Dany Masterpost]
-
I remember his eyes. Pale green irises, thick, dark eyelashes. Lindsey Manners' eyes are hauntingly beautiful.
In my memories, they're staring down on me, hungry and lustful.
Right now, they are wide with fear.
I enjoy this far more.
I push my chair back from the huge desk and give him a cool smile. I picked a corner office, on the former conference floor. Not the very top floor, where Ridley used to reside. High enough to make an impression, though. "Mrs..." He clears his throat. "Mrs Lordin, before you try and fire me, you must know that -"
I lift an eyebrow. I can guess what he's aiming for. The man is desperate. He's built his whole existence on my husband. This company. My company. He can't lose it.
"Yes?", I prompt. "What is there that I have to know?"
"You can't", he stammers. "You can't fire me. I have... I have videos. Files. Of that party. You wouldn't want those sent to your business partners."
I throw my head back and laugh, first at his bluntness, and then at the confusion spreading over his face at my reaction. "I wouldn't, that's right", I admit. "But..." With a shrug I reach to the picture frame on my desk. Ridley's and my wedding photo, and run my fingers over its rim. It's creepy, how thin I was. I've been free of him for just short of two months now, and already look a lot healthier. "You know, my husband won't exactly leave me for what happened. And whatever traction this would get, I still own a multi-million Dollar Corporation. You however..." I look him down. "You have nothing but your reputation. Maybe, maybe your fiance. Bianca, isn't it? I've had coffee with her. She's lovely."
Lindsey blanches.
"You've been with her for quite a while, haven't you? Starting dating a while before this... party?" I point at the picture of Ridley. "He likes to keep videos, too, you know. That particular one is a favorite of his. Had me watch them often enough. So I do happen to have my own copy of it. You are very well recognizable on it, Lindsey. Every last part of you. And I, your boss' wife, have very, very clearly been drugged, which you don't seem to mind. At all. So. What do you think, which one of us would suffer more from the repercussions of that publication?" With a last look at it, I put the picture frame back on the table, face down.
"I..." He stammers. "You..."
"Fucking whore?", I assist him. "Mh. Yeah. You sure liked to call me that."
"What... What do you want?" He almost chokes on his words.
"I don't want to fire you. That 14 mil project my husband so kindly rewarded you for? That was pretty good work, actually. I want you to continue that. I'll name you head of portfolio management. You'll work your ass of for me, Lindsey. You'll get married this summer, you'll keep my business going, and these videos stay where they are. Here's your new contract." I slide a Manila folder over to him and he puts his hand on it shakily. "I think it's in your best interest to sign."
I place a fountain pen next to the folder and give him a short smile. "I'll be less generous with the bonus, though."
He swallows and licks his lips. For a second I have to fight my nausea. Then he nods, and I manage to keep my smile straight.
Lindsey takes the pen, scribbles down his signatures next to mine and hurries out of the room.
I carefully close the file, align the folders with the table and lean back in my chair.
Only then do I allow myself to cry.