Chasing His Kickass Luna Back novel Chapter 64

Standing in the alley, the tension between Karl and me is almost palpable, like a living, breathing entity that neither of us can ignore. His eyes search mine, as if trying to excavate the truth from deep within me.

“Is it true, Abby? Your wolf is—”

I cut him off, not wanting to delve into that cavern of pain right now. “Forget it,” I say, turning away.

There’s a beat of silence as we both grapple with our feelings. I thought that Karl somehow knew about the fact that my wolf has been in a coma all this time, but it seems as though he has no idea. I can’t decide if it makes it hurt worse or less.

“Abby, why didn’t you tell me?” he asks gently.

I can feel his fingers brush my arm. It’s a comfort for the briefest of moments, but I’m still angry, still hearing Chloe’s words whirling around in my head. I pull away and turn on him, pointing a finger at his chest.

“Karl, if you want to get on my good side, if you want a chance at anything, you need to be a team player. That’s the end of it."

He studies me for a beat, then finally nods, clearly giving up on the subject of my wolf. “Fine. But you need to talk to John about his attitude too, Abby. It’s not just me who has a problem with him.”

The concession tastes bitter in my mouth, but it’s necessary. John’s inappropriate remarks and hot-headed attitude in the kitchen have been a problem for a long time now. He’s such a good employee and an excellent cook that I try to ignore it, but Karl is right; it’s about time that he’s put in his place.

“Agreed,” I say with a nod. “Now get back in there. We have a dinner service to complete.”

Karl gives me a nod, a mere shadow of his former cocky self, and heads back inside. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the conversation that awaits me. With John.

The atmosphere in the kitchen is thick with tension as I reenter, but I push through it, striding past the line cooks and prep stations until I reach my office.

Once inside, I take a few minutes to steady my racing heart, to gather my thoughts. Then, pulling open the door, I lean out into the hallway.

“John, can I see you in my office? Now?”

The instant the words leave my mouth, I sense the shift in the room, the undercurrent of curiosity and speculation. John glances up from his prep work, his eyes narrowing as they meet mine.

“Sure, boss,” he mutters, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel before making his way toward me.

As soon as we’re both inside, I close the door, sealing us off from the world outside. “Have a seat,” I say, gesturing toward the chair across from my desk.

He sits, but his posture is rigid, his eyes wary. “Abby, if you’re gonna scold me over that jackass—”

I take a deep breath, trying to choose my words carefully. “John, your attitude in the kitchen has been an issue for a long time. But it’s gone too far. Your comments, your tone, the way you speak to the team—it’s unacceptable.”

His eyes flash with indignation. “So, you’re siding with the new guy now? Is that it?”

I look away, my hands clenched into fists around the arms of my chair.

“This isn’t about taking sides, John. This is about the environment in our kitchen. And it’s not just Karl. Your comments have been making female staff uncomfortable as well. This is your last warning.”

John’s face reddens, and for a moment I think he’s going to explode. “I’ve been working here for years, Abby. You’ve got to be kidding me. Why are you bringing all this up now?”

I shake my head. “That’s my business. And yes, you have been here for years, which is why this is just a warning.”

John pauses, opening and closing his mouth as though trying to say something but not coming up with the right words. But then, finally, he spits it out. “This is all because you’ve got the hots for the new guy, especially now that you’re single, isn’t it?”