Heading into the office, my gut is tight. Not nerves, exactly, but resolution. Today is going to be an utter destruction of everything I’ve built professionally. I will have to stand tall under curious gazes, hold my tongue as sharp barbs are volleyed my way, and most importantly, not let my temper control my fists.
That’s my biggest concern as I enter the lobby and see Billy and Ricky waiting for me. Billy is keeping watch on the door from one of the sleek leather couches, and Ricky is chatting up Miranda. She doesn’t even pretend to get to work as I come in. My power is that depleted.
Actually, perhaps she’s just that engaged with Ricky? Her eyes are sparkling and locked on his like laser beams, and her body is leaning dangerously close to him. Even from across the room, their chemistry is explosive. Not exactly workplace appropriate, but I’m certainly not one to disavow workplace relationships, now am I?
“This way, Wolfe. Daniel’s waiting to see you.” Billy’s order is only slightly softened by the Vanna White arm gesture as the lift doors open. If I wasn’t certain my odds of surviving the trip up a couple of floors were fifty-fifty at best, it might even seem kind. But then again, he just maneuvered me to the back of the square cage and strategically placed him and Ricky in front of the doors. There was definitely no kindness intended in his moves.
We ride up silently, or at least I’m silent. Billy and Ricky are virtually screaming at me, but only with their eyes and popping knuckles. I hear them loud and clear, though.
Billy does the same arm trick at Daniel’s door, though I go in willingly. I’m not an arse who will run from this. He’s a protective father, and I’ve made his daughter front-page tabloid news. He’s got the right to rip me a new one. Billy closes the door, and Daniel, who’s been staring out the window overlooking the canyon, turns to face me.
“Colton. Sit.”
“Daniel.” I should stop there. If we were on equal footing, I would, so that he would throw the first pitch and I could adjust from there. I’m willing to give him the advantage this time, though. For Elle. For us.
So I don’t stop. “I am sorry, truly sorry, for the pain and embarrassment I have caused Elle. I never meant for anything like that to happen.”
From behind me, I hear a snort and can’t help but turn around. Ricky’s eyebrow, just one of them, is raised nearly to his hairline in question. You sure about that, bucko? that brow says.
To Daniel, I explain carefully. “Obviously, we both meant for certain things to happen. I meant that I didn’t intend for the entire globe to be included in our private matters.”
Daniel waves his hands. “Stop. I’ve already talked to Elle about that part. And I don’t want to talk about my little girl’s ‘private matters’ ever again.”
Thank fuckin’ God. Because it’s not something I want to discuss with her father, either. But there are other things . . . “If things were different, I’d be coming to you man-to-man for your blessing—” Three growls sound out around me. “But understandably, now does not seem to be the time.”
That seems to settle them, but only slightly. “What is it the time for, then?” Daniel bites out.
A hard question, one I don’t have the best answer to.
“All I know is that I love Elle and want to be with her.” Blunt, brutal truth is all I can offer.
“Be honest, just you and me,” he says, forcing out every word. “Did you use my daughter to hurt me?”
I try to find the right words and hesitantly explain. “I knew when I found out her name that having her with me would gum up your mental gears. I didn’t plan on using her as anything beyond that, though. She was to be a distraction for you, simply by her presence on my team, and I was bluntly upfront about that. Did you intend for her to sabotage me?”
Daniel reluctantly nods. “Not to harm you, but I did ask her to give me some inside info if she heard anything, an early scoop so that I could counter you if need be.”
“I see.”
The silence stretches out, but Daniel doesn’t relax. He turns back around to the window, looking out at the fog surrounding the building for a moment, then turns back. “Do you care for her? Truly?”
“With all my heart.”
He grunts, but I think I see the tiniest softening of his jaw. I choose to take it as a hopeful sign. “Does this mean you’ll be coming to Tennessee with us?”
“Yeah, one big, happy family.” I turn behind me, not sure if Billy or Ricky made the comment. Their blank expressions give zero clues.
I stand and offer my hand to Daniel. “I haven’t lost the HQ2 proposal race yet.”
His grip is hard, a punishment for so many things. “I’m going to destroy you. May the best man win.”
Even though I’ve been on the board for a few years now, the boardroom has an intimidating feeling to me. Part of it is that with its sterile glass table, brushed steel chairs, and white walls, I feel like I’ve just stepped into some science fiction medical exam room. The other part is the overwhelming sense of power within these walls. While the room might feel modern, the suits sitting around the table are old-school, strategic, power-hungry types. It’s not a dig. I’m one of them myself.
Except today, that power has all been stripped from me. Perhaps not formally, not yet. And I was talking a big game with Daniel, but there’s no escaping this. I overplayed, both with the HQ2 site and with my behaviors that have painted Fox unfavorably, not just in the UK but in the US. Seems tabloids are gossipy about the royals the world over.
I sit in my usual place, midway down the long table, the large wall of windows at my back. Usually, they give a sense of grandeur. Today, I feel boxed in, even with the sky stretching out above the canyon. Especially with the gray fog rolling in over the horizon like a warning squall.
Allan calls the meeting to order and then summons me by name. “Colton? Would you like to make your presentation now?”
I dip my chin, feeling the pitying looks of the other board members weighing on me as I stand. All but one. Daniel Stryker, who still looks more angry than sympathetic.
“Ladies and gentlemen, before I discuss the HQ2 proposal, there is another issue I’d like to address.” I swear I can see them lean forward, hungry for any salacious gossip they can get their greedy hands on.
“While in London, I was photographed in a particularly compromising situation with another Fox employee.” Heads turn to Daniel, who is clenching his teeth so hard there’s a bump of muscle appearing and disappearing above his jaw. He said he didn’t want to discuss this ever again, but I have to clear things up or it’ll hang over not only my head but Elle’s. “It was certainly unintended to bring a spotlight to Fox Industries, and to me and Miss Stryker, and for that I wholeheartedly apologize. I won’t go into the details of my relationship with Miss Stryker beyond that it is consensual, and at no time did I grant her unfair advantage over any other employee in this company.”
I pause, taking a deep breath and letting my jump over that first hurdle settle, because it’s a big one. And I went in already stumbling, clipped it, and took a header, right in the middle of the race in front of the whole crowd.
Surprisingly, no one asks questions. At least not yet, but I’m sure they’re coming. Allan stays quiet too, and I take it as a sign to continue.
“As to my HQ2 proposal . . . if you’ll recall, I suggested London for a global presence to grow Fox. I still feel like that is the best course of action, and if you’ll review the information included in the binder in front of you, you’ll see the tax breaks, economic benefits, profit margins, and more to support that. However, my site visit did not go as planned.”
I scan the table, but not a single eye is on me this time. They’re all flipping through the pages of the binders of information Helen printed out. Elle and I worked hard to compile our case all week, and it’s solid. Except it’s all predicated on using the Estate as the headquarters’ site. And a flawed foundation makes the entire proposal iffy at best.
“The proposed site was a location I would have easy access to, because it belongs to me.”
The bomb drops and eyes return to me. The shock is apparent. These are intelligent people, and they know the scope of the site and a rough estimate of land costs in London. Even if they weren’t familiar, it’s all spelled out on page twenty-three for them in black and white.
“My family has owned the property for generations, and it has been held in a trust, but my grandfather left it to me. Honestly, I wanted to prove to myself, my family, and to this company that I had the bollocks to bring Fox into the next generation. The opportunity seemed so perfect, like it was there for the taking. I intended to coordinate a long-term land lease with Allan to make the site the most attractive option. I truly felt, and still feel, it is a perfect location for the next phase for Fox. A global expansion. And I do have full ownership of the property.”
Interest piques, but I’m about to knock it all off the table.
“However, the land needs to be rezoned and must have council approvals for the changes to allow Fox to come in and build. And while I did have council support, the recent bad press has changed that. The council is now refusing to make these changes, making the land virtually useless.”
Allan sits back in his chair, one ankle crossed over his knee. With narrowed eyes, he challenges me. “So, what’s next for a London proposal? Are you giving up?”
I look at the aerial view of the Estate on the front of the presentation binder. I could just give up. It’s probably the smartest plan to play closer to the vest for a bit after such a huge failure. I need time to lay low, lick my wounds, and regroup.
I dare you . . .
I hear Elle in my head, not even a complete challenge. Maybe just daring me to be daring.
And so I do. I dare big and hard, with huge risk and very little potential for a win. Because it’s what my heart and my gut say to do.
“No, sir. Not giving up, Allan.” I shake my head definitively. “This property is not the right one with its current restraints. But there must be others. Sites that would not have the restrictions my land has but that would offer the same incentives and benefits.” I’m pleading my case here, in the truest sense of the word.
Allan is unswayed. “But you don’t know where this fictional site might be, or if it even exists. Correct?”
I sigh. “No, sir. But with more time, I will find it. I promise you that.” I look around the table, meeting each board member’s eyes. “I promise each of you that. I just need time.”
“Is that everything?” Allan asks. He’s not being cold, exactly, but he’s not his usual warm and friendly self. I can see the writing on the wall.
“Just that I’m sorry I botched this up with my bad actions.”
“Very well. Please sit, Colton. Daniel, are you ready to discuss Tennessee as an option?” Allan’s smile feels like the final nail in my coffin.
Daniel gets up, walking to the front of the room. He meets each board member’s eyes for the briefest of seconds but glares long and hard at me. I blink first, letting him have the victory.
His presentation is solid. He even addresses the globalization angle and how that progress can be handled and intensified while staying stateside.
He’s going to win the selection for HQ2. I can see it, feel it, taste it. And so can he.
London won’t stand a chance when I don’t even have a proper site to propose, just a pipe dream and hopes.
“Thank you, Daniel.” Allan’s friendly handshake and smile with Daniel as he wraps up only seem to secure the inevitable. Daniel sits down and Allan addresses the entire board.
“Two interesting proposals. I’ll open the floor to discussions and questions.”
There’s only a few, mostly for Daniel, though I’m asked about my parameters for finding a new potential site.
Allan’s assistant interrupts. “Sir, excuse me, but there’s a conference call you need to take.” She points to the screen behind Allan, the one where the two cover sheets are displayed side-by-side.
“Can it wait, Janet? We’re in the middle of something here.”
“She insisted. Rather vehemently.”
With that, Janet steps into the conference room to fidget with the projector.
