Twenty-four hours from now, I'll walk into that building. What I tell them depends on what Williams has already said. But Voss was clear: we say nothing until we know what cards they're holding.
I texted Ivy the update since I promised to keep her in the loop.
Promised. I hate that fucking word.
I take a sip of coffee—mixed with bourbon. Old office, old habits.
The computer screen in front of me shows a spreadsheet I've been pretending to review for the past hour. Acquisition projections for next quarter. Properties we're considering. Partnerships we're exploring.
All of it is meaningless if I'm in federal prison.
I need to talk to Lillianna about if things go badly tomorrow or after Hartwell’s meeting. She's always been more reasonable than Sebastian, more willing to see the grey areas. If I'm going to ask anyone to find a replacement for acquisitions, it'll be her. Sebastian will be too busy protecting the distillery's reputation to consider expansion. But Lilly? She'll understand what needs to be done.
I take another drink just as someone knocks on the door. The sound is sharp, impatient. Before I can respond, it opens.
"Seriously?" Lillianna stands in the doorway, taking in the scene. The bottle. My mug. Me. "It's nine in the morning, Thorne."
“What? Some like cream in their coffee, I like bourbon.” I pick up my coffee and take a sip. “What are you doing here?”
She crosses to my desk and drops a folder on it. "Working. You know, that thing people do at distilleries?" She taps the folder. "The Fall Harvest Festival is in six weeks. We're doing a joint event. 3Bs is handling the food vendors and entertainment, Blackstone's providing the bourbon tastings and distillery tours.I need your signature on the vendor contracts since you're still head of acquisitions."
I glance at the folder without opening it. "Sounds like you have it under control."
"I do. But I still need your signature." She pauses, studies me. "Also, Sebastian asked me to check on you."
"Bullshit. Sebastian won't even take my calls."
She has the grace to look caught. "Fine. I wanted to check on you. But he's worried, even if he won't admit it."
“He shouldn’t waste his energy. Nor should you.”
She sits in the chair across from me. "But here I am anyway. So talk to me."
My first instinct is to say no. But tomorrow isn't about me, it's about the business, about her and Sebastian. They deserve to know what's coming.
"I have a meeting tomorrow," I say. "With the FBI."
She goes very still. "What?"
I relay the details to her.
"Jesus, Thorne." She leans forward, elbows on her knees. "When were you planning to tell us?"
"I'm telling you now."
"Twenty-four hours before the meeting?" Her voice rises. "What are you going to say to them?"
"I don't know yet. Depends on what Williams has already told them." I tip my mug. “I’m bringing my lawyer, Voss. We won’t say anything until we know if Williams has cooperated. If he's given them my name."
"And if he has?"
"Then I get ahead of it. Tell them what I know about Dad's deals. About the environmental violations."
She's quiet, tapping her nails on the armchair, then stands and paces to the window. "You're drinking bourbon for breakfast in the office you swore you'd never come back to."
“Your point?”
Facing me, she narrows her eyes. "Mom's been calling. Ivy said you left before she woke up."
