“Half of it,” he said. “The payments to the fake investors will stop in about six months, and then…”
“It’ll hit the news and everyone will think I was at fault.” I shook my head. “So, profit-wise, we’re not within striking distance of Starbucks?”
“We’re not even close.” He shook his head. “We’re at the starting point with prettier stores and fancier cups.”
Silence.
“Don’t tell Andrea you know anything,” I said. “Don’t tell anyone. Just have them keep finding alternate answers andbring me anything that Andrea has written and worked on the moment we get back.”
“You mean, help you draft a mass layoff and restructuring plan…”
“No.” I shook my head. “I want her notes.”
“You can’t possibly still want to helm this disaster show, Harrison,” he said. “This will take a lot longer to correct and there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to fix the core issue.”
“Our goal is to destroy you-know-who, so yes.” I looked at him. “I am going to continue running this, and we’re going to figure this out and win like always.”
He looked wary, but he nodded.
I picked up Andrea’s sheet and folded it before texting her.
Push our meeting to nine tonight.
Be there on time.
Thank you.
TWENTY (B)
ANDREA
“Welcome back, Miss Stone.” The doorman greeted me once I stepped out of the town car that evening. “Mr. Cross is expecting you.”
“I’m sadly aware.” I feigned a smile as he led me to the elevator and pressed the button for me.
Looking up at the numbers, I silently warned myself not to let him touch me, not to give in no matter how good his mouth felt against mine.
Or how damn good his fingers felt deep inside me…
Everly
FYI: I placed some pepper spray in your bag when I dropped by your job today. Use it if necessary
The pink lipstick tube you gave me?
Yup. He’ll never see it coming…
I held back a laugh as I arrived at his level. Stepping off, I took a deep breath before knocking on his door.
No answer.
I knocked again.
Nothing.
I started to scroll down to his name, but his door swung open, and I did a slow double take.
I’d never seen this man in anything except businesswear, and the sight of him in a white V-neck shirt that clung to his abs and light-gray sweatpants was short-circuiting my brain.
