“I have a meeting with Dagen Fox,” I answer, proud when my voice doesn’t quiver around his name. “I’m from Goliath Marketing.”
“Perfect,” she nods, glancing down at her computer. She slides over a plastic card on a lanyard, and I take it. “You’ll need this. Use elevator three, swipe the card, and select floor forty-five. Good luck.” Not once does she break character, the perfect professional receptionist.
“Thank you,” I tell her and bypass the desk to approach the bank of elevators. When I push the up button, the doors open immediately, as if the elevator has been waiting right here for me. Maybe it has been. I can’t even begin to understand rich people and the way they operate. Let alone the sort of money that went into this building.
When I step inside the elevator box, the golden veined white marble continues inside, but the walls are shiny gold. They’re so slick that it’s clear it’s been polished to a mirrored finish. I swipe the card on the lanyard before looping it over my head. Forty-five is the top floor. Of course, it’s the top floor. Dagen Fox wouldn’t be sitting halfway up his own skyscraper. That would be silly. I hit the button and take a deep breath as the doors close. I’m not even surprised when the elevator moves so smoothly, I barely feel it going up.
In my briefcase, I have my laptop where I’ll be going over the marketing plan for the new Fox Industries security system. I also plan to take notes and ask clarifying questions we need for the project. Marie and Julie had offered to come with me, but that’s not the normal process and I know they only wanted to come to get a good look at Dagen Fox in the flesh. Beneath my laptop are two folders, one for the project with further information and one for. . . my own project. I’m prepared for this. We’ve run all the data. I’ve done all the work. I’m nervous, but not for the Goliath project. That’ll be easy. Who’s to say I’ll even present the other plan? I could change my mind. I’m good at my job and I really don’t want to lose it. But now I have to be a good fighter, too.
The doors slide open far too quickly and I’m staring at a lush, wooden lobby shined and oiled to perfection. Another desk awaits me here, a woman sitting behind it that looks so expensive, I wonder why she’s even working here. I’d thought the lobby receptionist was swanky. This woman puts her to shame.
“Ms. Hutcherson. You’re expected,” she says, smiling and standing up. “He’ll see you now.” She steps around the desk and knocks on the large solid wooden door to her left. A muffled voice responds, and she tugs it open.
I get my first real look at the man leaning against the desk waiting for me.
I think I stop breathing entirely.
Seven
Dagen
My calendar is full, like always. Karla had warned me that my ten o’ clock meeting with the new marketing exec from Goliath should be here soon and I’m prepared for it. Goliath is a newer marketing firm in the industry, Gary McLane rising quickly among the top corporations. Despite their newness, they’ve quickly shown they know what they’re doing and have earned some of the biggest contracts in New York City in the last year. It’d been easy when they’d presented their current marketing exec’s resume and ideas for me to select them. Fox Industries needs creativity and professionalism. I expect this to be our largest launch yet.
I’d expected a man when I’d initially booked Goliath, but the note on my desk says Ms. Hutcherson will be who I meet. That’s not a problem. Some of the most successful people I’ve worked with are women. I expect this woman to be a powerhouse, one who clearly knows tech as well as she knows marketing. Someone like that has to be older, established, and I’m never above learning from my elders.
But before I meet with the new Goliath powerhouse, I have to finish up the business with this asshole.
Aria Tech is a company I really wish I didn’t have to work with. I’d considered cutting ties altogether, but when the COO had presented me with the new program they’re preparing to soft launch, I couldn’t resist. It’s a damn good algorithm program. It makes me wonder how someone like this asshole could code it.
“You haven’t explained anything about how it works,” I point out, glaring at the man sitting far too comfortably in my chair. “My patience is wearing thin, McCoy.”
“I’m not telling you how it works,” Ric answers, scowling. “I flew all the way out here because I respect you, but you know damn well we aren’t going to be doing deep dives into how this program works.”
“It’s almost as if you don’t know how it works,” I goad. “Did you even create it?”
“Yes,” Ric hisses, but seems to remember who he’s talking to before he schools his features again. Aria Tech may have a good program on their hands, but they’re nothing compared to the success of Fox Industries. It’s best he remembers that. “As I stated, I can give you the stats. As for the coding itself, I won’t be sharing that. You understand, of course.”
“My company will need to have the full algorithm in order to incorporate it into our system,” I point out.
“We’ll provide the programmers.”
I narrow my eyes. I really despise this man. The COO of Aria Tech is getting far too comfortable thinking I don’t have options. I want that program. But I have no doubt that I can find someone else to do what these people do. I didn’t get to where I am by being cornered. I’ll make sure to remind him exactly what place I hold soon.
The moment my tech team gets ahold of the program that is.
There’s a little buzz on my desk and I press the button. “Yes?”
“Your ten o’ clock appointment is here, Mr. Fox. She’s on her way up,” Karla replies.
I glance at the clock. Prompt. I like her already. “Send her in once she’s up.”
I don’t care that I’m meeting with Ric right now. I’m tired of this meeting, and this marketing exec is more important at the moment. If I can get out of seeing this fucker for longer than necessary, I’m always going to take it.
“You’re cutting our meeting short?” Ric snarls. “I flew all the way out here from San Diego to meet with you personally?—”
“And when we come to an understanding, our deal will be made,” I say, cutting him off. “You haven’t sold me on anything yet, Ric. When you can show me how the program works, then we’ll talk.”
His face contorts with anger. “Is this how you treat all your business partners?”
