“Apart from Ninja Starfish, everyone else on the label is doing well. No scandals or drama to report. Sanctuary of Chaos has just finished their world tour and are taking two months off. Daisy Dallas has just signed to play the lead role in a new movie and will be writing the soundtrack for it. Both Wicked Sins and N3D Fusion are touring right now. I have a few demos on my desk that our talent scouts would like me to listen to, and the new band that Holden signed is hitting the studios this week. I’ve got Stanley Brown lined up to work with them, and Chester’s going to come in and give them some moral support.”
“Good thinking, Hope. Having someone like Chester Mercury take an interest in them will be a big ego boost. Thankfully, the fallout from Giselle didn’t destroy his relationship with us.” Dad sounds relieved.
“Excellent, it seems like you two have got everything under control.” Poppy takes control again, seamlessly moving from one facet of the business to the next. “I’m happy to report that Neighpalm Air is going strong with no problems. Our acquisition of Northwest European Airlines went smoothly, and we have transitioned them under our banner. The only bump in the road is the Veronica situation, but that seems to be under control for now. Once the baby arrives, the case for the attempted murder charge will go ahead. Forrest and his team are dealing with that. We’ve also paid all her roommate’s medical bills and promised her a job once she recovers. If she no longer wishes to be a flight attendant, we will find her another role or offer her a generous severance if she chooses to work somewhere else.”
“I wouldn’t blame her,” Nana adds, pausing her typing as she speaks up for the first time. “I’m not sure I would want to associate with the people almost responsible for my death.”
The room breaks out into noise, and I jump in my seat. I wasn’t expecting such a strong reaction, but my brothers all voice their arguments until Nana holds up a hand to quiet them down.
“Sorry, I worded that wrong.Indirectlyresponsible. I’m not putting the blame on any of you, that’s firmly on that woman, but it was her obsession with you that pushed her over the edge.”
Kai and Thomas grumble a little more, but we get the meeting back on track, and Oliver, Jaxon, Harlow, and I all give our reports on our businesses. We’re just about to move on to new business when a knock sounds on the door.
Hope stands up. “That must be Cole, perfect timing.”
ChapterEleven
Jacinta
When the door opens, Hope is blocking my view of the newcomer, but I hear them exchange a friendly greeting that makes my ears prick up. That voice sounds familiar, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. It’s not until Hope steps out of the way, giving me a good look at the devilishly handsome man who has fucking dimples when he smiles, that I feel my stomach plummet. His eyes meet mine, and I stare in horror at the familiar Caribbean blue that’s as bright now as it was in the club. Fucking hell. He’d known who I was the whole time. It’s not like Wonder Woman wears a mask.
His gaze hardens before moving on, dismissing me like dirt, as Hope introduces him to my brothers, Harlow, Nana, and Poppy. Dad has already met him, having been involved in the interview process, but everyone else greets him warmly, welcoming him to the Neighpalm family. Finally, he and Hope get to me.
“And this is Jacinta Summers. She’s head designer for Neighpalm Couture and has recently stepped down as CEO due to other commitments popping up in her life.”
“Ah, yes, the Count Bucataru heirs. Ms. Summers, your reputation precedes you.” He reaches out for the hand I hold out to him. I will not let this asshole intimidate me. I eat men like him for lunch.
“Mr. Chambers, I wish I could say the same, but I know less than nothing about you.” Hope gasps at the shots fired, and his hand briefly tightens around mine as a sly grin crosses his face.
“Oh, I guess that puts you at a disadvantage then.” Our hands are still clenched when Hope steps in, knowing that this could all turn to shit if she doesn’t do something.
“Okay, great! Now that we know everyone, why don’t you take a seat, Cole, and we’ll continue our meeting.” She gestures to a seat on the other side of the table, but he pulls out the vacant one next to me and sits his ass down on it. I feel myself stiffen as he opens up his laptop and shuffles some papers in front of him.
What the actual fuck? What is this man’s game? I’m pretty sure he’s not going to out me for my drug use because he’s got no leg to stand on there. It wouldn’t look good to his new employers if I shared that the only reason he knows about it is because he snorted coke off my tits before fucking me like he owns me.
Taking a couple of deep breaths, I slowly relax my body muscle by muscle. I don’t want him to know that his very presence bothers me. After a few moments, I have my shit together enough to tune back into the conversation. If he wants to play games, he can bring it, because I am an expert game player. My confidence kicks in, and I feel more like me than I have in months.Finally, a challenge.
“Cole, we’ve just discussed each of the businesses. Grace will forward you the minutes of the meeting. Let’s move on to our new acquisitions.” Poppy does something to his computer, and all of our own laptops start dinging. “We’ve had some interesting resumes handed in for the position of CEO for Cruise Lines. As much as I would have liked to keep it in the family, I understand Hope’s and Jaxon’s positions. I’ve sent you a list of the top five front runners that Jaxon, Brad, and I have weeded out. Have a look and speak up if any of you know anything about these five applicants.”
“I can’t help you with that because I don’t know anyone.” Harlow laughs as she leans back in her chair, but the rest of us read through the information Dad has provided. I’m consciously aware of every movement Cole makes next to me, so much so that it takes me a little longer to assimilate the information.
Thomas is the first to finish, tapping a pen against his lip in thought. “They all look like good candidates, and I don’t think I’ve heard whispers or bad things about any of them.”
“Can I ask a question?”
Poppy smiles at Harlow before he answers. “Of course you can. You have as much right as anyone at this table.”
“Why appoint an individual? Why not appoint a team? That way we’re not relying on one person. It’s a big job to take on. I know how daunting it is to be on the ground level of building a new branch of the business, and without your help, and Clem and Doug, I would be a mess.”
Poppy’s eyebrows jump in surprise as he considers what she said.
“That’s actually a smart idea. A team would be a good idea. It also makes it so that they are all accountable for the decisions they make instead of one person being responsible for it all. It would relieve the stress and probably make a more cohesive business structure.” I feel a shiver course through my body at the sound of Cole’s voice. Fucking hell, why am I having such a visceral reaction to this man?
“So, what, offer them all the position?” Oliver asks, leaning forward.
“Yes, make it a CEO team. You would need to give the leadership model a trial period to see if they could work well together. You may need to replace one or two until you get a unit that thrives as a team, but eventually, you would find the right combination.” Cole shrugs. “It also gives you a chance to see how well they gel with the family. After all, it is your business, and you are handing it over to strangers. You would want them to be people you liked, not ones you clashed with.”
I snort, unable to stop the sound from slipping out, and everyone looks at me. “If only we could do that with all our employees.”
