“Let’s check the other side,” someone called behind me.
“No.” Pushing the last of my strength into my drained body, I scrambled to my feet and ran. Only as I picked up speed did I see the edge of the mountain in front of me. I didn’t stop, aware of only one thing.
Death would be sweeter.
Chapter 11 – Xavier
Leaning forward, Irested my elbows on the boardroom table and steepled my fingers. “If you want to do business with my company, you’ll heed the terms in the contract,” I reiterated my offer.
Sinclair Global, a security and aerospace conglomerate under Sinclair Holdings, engaged in the research, design, production, and assimilation of advanced technology systems. Most of our business was geared toward assisting the UK Ministry of Defense to sustain its military needs. The remaining company comprised commercial sales in specific products.
One such company CEO now sat opposite me in the boardroom of our London office, asking for the change in a clause I didn’t deem favorable. It left room for errors, and my team knew better than to accept such requests without consulting me.
Mr. Johnson cocked his head, running a hand over his grizzly beard. I was a good judge of character. Everything about this man hinted at the above-board dealings I looked down upon, especially in my line of work.
“He’s good business,” my brother-in-law, Oliver, addressed me instead. He’d been the reason the sales manager called me in, much to Oliver’s displeasure.
“Good business or not, there will be no change to the contract, Oliver.” He might be a board member representing my sister’s shares in the company, it didn’t give him the wide berth he took for granted at times.
Wilkes’ name flashing on my cell phone had me rising. “Gentleman, if you’ll excuse me, I must take this call. Jodie will see you out.” I nodded to my assistant and answered the call, ignoring Oliver’s soft curse.
“Wilkes?”
“We have a situation, sir.” He sounded breathless, like he was walking fast or running.
“Is she all right?” I didn’t recognize the sudden elevation to my heartbeat as my quick steps took me toward the lift that led down to the basement parking.
“She came out of the house, hands and legs covered in blood, and raced into the forest behind her home. I gave chase until she stopped at the edge of a ravine.” He paused for a moment. “I think she’s—”
“Don’t say it,” I barked, looking at one of the managers who’d followed me into the cubicle with urgent documents for me to sign. “Just stall her until I get there. Give me a second,” I said, quickly signing the papers before striding out of the lift. Within seconds of sliding behind the wheel of my Bentley, I slammed my foot down on the accelerator. “Wilkes?”
“Sir?”
I pulled onto the main road and smoothly slipped into the evening traffic. “Try not to scare her.”
The man was intimidating to ordinary men. To a girl who wore fear like a second skin, he’d probably resemble death itself.
