The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Rowan

I step forward then, placing myself between Camille and Calder-not to shield her rage, but to end this.

“You are done interrogating her,” I say calmly.

Calder’s jaw tightens. “You don’t get to make that call.”

“I do,” I reply. “She invoked counsel.”

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His eyes flick to Devin, who stands at my side without a word, presence alone a threat.

“And because,” I continue, voice low and precise, “if you proceed without cause, I will personally ensure your department spends the next year buried under

motions, complaints, and internal reviews.”

Calder’s nostrils flare.

“She’s not leaving,” he says flatly.

I take one slow step closer.

“You’re treating my top employee like a criminal without evidence,” I say quietly. “That’s a mistake.”

His eyes harden. “You don’t own her.”

I smile.

Cold. Controlled.

“That,” I say, “is where you’re wrong.”

The air shifts.

“You will take us to her,” I continue, voice sharp now. “Immediately.”

Calder hesitates-just long enough to calculate the damage.

Then he turns and motions sharply to an officer. “This way.”

He leads Devin and me down the hall, past closed doors and muted voices, until he stops in front of one marked INTERVIEW B. He opens it with visible

irritation.

She’s inside.

Violet.

She’s still wearing the dress.

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Chapter 14

Devin smirks, folding his arms. “They’re my students,” he adds easily. “I’m teaching them.”

Calder growls under his breath, fury vibrating under his skin-but he knows he’s boxed in.

He steps back. “Fine.”

Then he leaves the room, slamming the door behind him.

I don’t believe for a second he’s gone far.

He’s listening.

Waiting.

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I step closer to Violet, lowering my voice. ‘Tell me everything.”

She looks at me like she’s been holding her breath for hours and finally doesn’t have to anymore.

“He-he kept pushing,” she says, words coming fast, uneven. “About where my brother was. About where I was. He kept asking the same questions over and over like if he repeated them enough, I’d slip.”

Her hands twist together in her lap.

“I told him everything,” she continues. “I didn’t hide anything. I told him I hadn’t heard from my brother in over a month. Not a call. Not a text. Nothing. And now he’s dead and they’re acting like-like I did something.”

Her voice cracks.

“I didn’t,” she says, sharper now. “I didn’t do anything. And I don’t know how I’m supposed to prove that when they’ve already decided I’m guilty.”

Camille steps closer, eyes bright with unshed tears, but Violet keeps going.

“I tried to leave,” she says. “I told him I couldn’t stay. That my mother needs me. That I have responsibilities. I can’t go to jail. I won’t.” Her breath stutters.

“I can’t give up. I don’t get to.”

Devin nods slowly. “You did the right thing by talking,” he says. “We’ll pull your phone records from the carrier. That’ll establish the lack of contact.”

“I-I need my phone,” Violet says immediately. “For work. For-”

“She’ll turn it over,” Devin says calmly. “It helps your case.”

Violet shakes her head. “I can’t just-”

“I’ll buy you a new one,” I cut in.

She turns toward me, startled. “Rowan-”

“Tonight,” I continue. “Same number. Same access. You won’t lose anything.”

She opens her mouth to argue again, but Devin keeps going.

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Chapter 14

“He goes through Devin,” I continue. “Or he goes through me.”

Her confusion deepens. “Why?”

I hold her gaze, unwavering.

“Because you don’t answer to him,” I say. “And because he doesn’t get access to you without oversight.”

The room is quiet.

Violet nods slowly, like she’s still processing what that means.

Devin closes the file. “Good. That’s exactly what we’ll do.”

Behind the glass, I imagine Calder bristling.

Let him.

Because from this moment on, this investigation does not move unless I allow it to.

And Violet Pierce-

Grieving. Exhausted. Still standing-

Is no longer alone in a room designed to break her.

She’s under my protection now.

Whether she understands that yet or not.

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The CEO Above My Desk