Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
I arrive at the office early on a mission to own the CEO job. I’m barely behind my desk when it feels like a reasonable time to call Royce Walker again. I’ve wanted to call him for an hour.
“Problem?” he asks.
“No,” I say. “Well, except for the fact that I had to fire three people for stealing company secrets. I need to keep this from happening again. Can you help me with security and how much will that cost?”
“We’re already working for you, which is why you found out about those three men.”
“Right. Of course. Did you come to terms with Reid to provide security long term?”
“Yes. We did.”
“Thank you, Royce. We need you. We should have had security in place before now.”
“Why didn’t you?” he asks.
I have no idea how well he knows Reid, but well enough, I decide. “I wasn’t in charge or we would have,” I answer honestly and then push for answers, even indirectly. “To cut costs by way of leaving ourselves exposed is just another of my father’s decisions I don’t understand.”
He’s quiet for several beats and I hold my breath, hoping he tells me what he knows about my father’s decisions if he knows anything at all, but he does not. “If you have concerns, call me,” he says simply.
“I think I’ve proven I will.”
“You have,” he agrees, “but just so you know, I’m available twenty-four-seven. More soon on our now ex-employees and criminal charges.”
“Excellent.”
We say a brief goodbye and disconnect. Sallie chooses that moment to appear in my doorway, holding a sealable baggie in her hands. “I made cookies. It just seemed like a cookie kind of day.”
“As much as I love your cookies,” I say. “I think I might need a cake, too.”
Her eyes go wide and she hurries forward, sitting down in front of me and handing me the bag. “Comfort food.”
I open the bag. “Three employees were stealing company secrets and selling them to the competition. They’ve been fired and we’ll be pressing charges.”
“Who?”
I slide a piece of paper with the names listed in her direction. She reads it while I devour a scrumptious cookie. “Delicious,” I murmur, thinking she should open a bakery, and if I still had my money I gave to my father, I’d finance it.
“I’m speechless,” she says, shaking her head and scooting the paper in my direction. “They’re long-term employees. And my God, I had the hots for one of them and don’t ask who. I’m not saying after this. Do you want to say anything to the staff about the terminations?”
“Not yet,” I say. “I want to talk to Reid first.”
“Understood,” she says. “What can I do for you in the meantime?”
“Just keep doing what you’re doing.”
“I could take cookies to Reid. Maybe that will make him a little less cranky?”
“No,” I say. “Reid does not get any of your cookies.” I brush crumbs from my hands, right as Reid buzzes in my office and says, “In here. Now.”
“Take him a cookie,” Sallie suggests. “It’s better than nothing. His assistant called. She will be here soon. I’ll give her cookies. Getting her on our side has to be smart.” She disappears and I almost snort.
Considering last night, I’m pretty sure a cookie won’t satisfy Reid. I have a brief moment where I consider ignoring his command, but then he’ll just come to me. Not only will that lead to one of our many fights, he’d then think that I ran last night and plan to hide today. I stand up and hurry across the offices, and of course, his door is shut.
As has become our norm, I don’t knock, but as my hand comes down on the knob, I mentally steel myself for the impact of this man after he kissed me the way he did last night. Oh God, don’t think about it, Carrie. I open the door and step inside, the force of this man’s presence washing over me even before I confirm that he’s behind his desk, a safe distance away, he’s as good looking as always, in a dark gray pinstriped suit that draws attention to his piercing blue eyes.
I shut the door. “I’m here,” I say, and I don’t linger by the door. I walk toward him, and he watches my every step. I stop between his visitors’ chairs and I don’t speak or sit.
“Sit,” he orders.
I suck in air, but I do as he says. I sit down.
His eyes narrow on me. “And she did it without fighting me,” he says. “I thought for sure I’d get yet another no from you.” The glint in his eyes tell me that he’s not talking about work, at least not in full, before he says, “Royce told me you called him.”
“I did, and I’ll spare you my reasons. He obviously told you. I’d like a copy of the Walker Security contract.”