My laugh is genuine this time. “Ask Pen to give up coding? Her life’s work? No. That would be like asking her to cut off her arms. I’ll never ask her to give up anything. I simply want to offer her more of myself.”
“What are you going to do? I know I don’t know you very well, but I can’t imagine you playing the role of house-husband.”
“I have something in the pipeline,” I say, but chuckle when I’m thrown a questioning look. “Not something I can share just yet.”
“Fair enough. And Todd? He’s capable of running the London office?”
“More than capable. He’s been with me from the beginning. He was at university with Pen and I. Pen recommended him when she walked away from the company. He’s been involvedin every decision, sits on The Board. Has the respect of the workforce.”
Kristophe stands up, his hand outstretched. “I’ve looked over the figures and forecasts. You run a tight ship.”
“Did you expect anything else?”
“If I’m honest, no.”
“So we potentially have a deal?” I ask, holding my breath.
“As long as the legal team is happy, then I am. I’ve wanted to expand into Europe.”
It’s the reason I approached Kristophe first. I asked Todd, but he didn’t want that financial burden, however he has shares in the company, and I’ve agreed a deal where he takes over my role when I step down. It’s a win-win.
“Todd is waiting for you downstairs,” I tell Kristophe, clasping his hand in mine. His handshake is strong.
“Your sister,” he says, moving to the door. “I’ve arranged for a makeup artist to go to Pen’s. She’ll change Harpers’ appearance. Once she’s on my jet, she’ll be safe, I promise you. The plane will then refuel and head to New York. I have a stewardess uniform she can wear to disembark, and a car will be waiting to transport her to her destination.”
“Won’t an unplanned flight and extra crew member look suspicious?”
He smiles. “Don’t worry. One of my stewardesses is remaining in the UK to visit family. Harper will take her spot on the flight if anyone checks. As for New York. The plane is set to pick up members of my family. I sent them there for a shopping expedition. There’ll be no questions asked as it’s bringing them home.”
“I don’t know how to thank you,” I say honestly.
“You don’t have to thank me, just make sure you take care of Pen. Her happiness is all I’m interested in.”
“You have my word.”
Kristophe turns and leaves the room. I look around. Frazer Cyber Security has been my life for the past fifteen years, built from the ashes of my old life and a broken friendship.
Now it’s time to say goodbye, rinse off the bad memories, embark on a new adventure.
No ghosts as I step into the future.
CHAPTER 67
PEN
Kris enters with his friend in tow.
“Hey,” I say, moving forward and kissing him on both cheeks.
“Hey yourself,” he says, his smile warm and comforting, reminding me why we’re friends.
He takes my forearms and holds me away from him.
“You look well—” he says. “Happy.”
It’s my turn to grin.
“I am. You can say I told you so if you want to,” I say, knowing my grin must look like that of The Cheshire Cat.
