Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
“One where you walk out of here alive with a new friend who might be an asset one day, should you need me.”
“Because kidnapping me is how you make friends?” I challenge.
“I let you keep your weapon for a reason. I’d like this conversation to feel it's on even ground, a mutual meeting of the minds, meaningful in his content. Alternatively, this chat of ours can turn dark and nasty and do so in a blink of an eye. I don’t think you’re stupid enough to let that happen though, now, are you?”
The waitress reappears and our drinks are set in front of us, as is the dip. After a brief exchange between her and Oliver, we’re left alone. He wants to play this game, and I decide doing so works for me. He talks. I find out things.
“Where are you from?” I ask. “England? Australia?”
“England. Home of James Bond. You know he isn’t big on killing people. It’s a necessity of his job at times. Call it the English way. Let’s talk about why Tyler Hawk has been asking the wrong questions about the wrong people.”
Chapter Two
Tyler
“We’d like to talk about your father’s will.”
This from the dweeb who dared pull me into the conference room with the idea of ambushing me with a room full of partners. He’s a fool for forgetting one very important detail. I’m at the front of the room and head of the table for a reason. Not one of the thirty people in this room is in charge, but I am.
“Yes,” I say, “let’s talk about my father’s will.” I cut my gaze and speak to the room. “I am the principal and that will not change. But to be transparent, one of the terms of my inheritance was that I marry. Of course, we all know I’m good enough to beat that in court, but no, I’m not fighting it. Let me be clear. I’m not just engaged to Bella, I’m in love with Bella. She makes me a better person. She makes me a better leader. Would she marry me today if I ask her to? Yes. But I won’t. We’re going to plan one hell of a wedding because it’s what she deserves. Any questions?”
The room is silent, seconds ticking by before Sharon, one of the partners, says, “I believe him.”
Laura, another partner sitting next to her, chimes in, “I believe him.”
“Agreed.” This from Ned Riley, one of the senior partners.
From there, the entire room sounds off in agreement except for two people. The dweeb and a partner sitting next to him, who was most likely in the middle of this plan to take me down, right along with Gavin. I don’t so much as look at either of them. Control is everything. That’s what my father used to tell me but more so taught me, with his recent actions. The man cheated on my mother, killed the employee he was fucking to keep her from telling my mother, and then ended up dead.
He didn’t have one inkling of the control he swore was always his and in the palm of his ruddy little hand.
Control is everything and he forgot that somewhere along the way.
I press my hands on the sleek surface of the conference table, lean in closer to the group and say, “If no one has anything else, then let’s all go finish off what is headed toward a record-breaking month, and show everyone who we are, and that’s the best in the business. This sends the right message to our clients, studios, and publishers. We’re here to stay. This is not the time to fight among ourselves and screw that up.”
Murmurs of approval fill the room, and with that, I say, “Meeting adjourned,” before heading toward the door.
I don’t look back. I don’t look at my phone. I walk at an even pace.
Control is everything.
It’s not until I’m in my office with the door shut that I dare breathe, shoving a rough hand through my hair and cursing. Gavin did this. He’s done. So are the two in the meeting who conjured up trouble. I walk to my desk, sit down, and pull out my phone to dial Bella, the one person I consider a confidant. There’s a message from her waiting on me and I retrieve it to find a photo of her and a message: This is Oliver, and I represent the Allen family. Bella and I will be negotiating for the next few hours. She’ll be in touch when we come to terms. Don’t fret, Tyler Hawk. I’m a professional. I assure you she’s safe in my skilled hands.
Chapter Three
Tyler
Bella doesn’t have time for me to be weak right now, which is why I allow myself about three seconds to freak the fuck out, and then it’s all about actions that protect Bella. I run a rough hand through my hair and then check the time on the message, which is now twenty minutes old. That’s way too long for me to feel good about the timeline and what could have happened to her between then and now. Dark thoughts start to form in my mind, and I quash them. They serve no productive purpose. They do not help Bella.