“Mr. Scott. Your next appointment is here.” Stella’s voice is steady as she comes into my office.
I pin her with a stare. “Is this the mystery person who wants to take over my position?” I drop my pen on my desk.
“Leo, can I ask you a question?” Stella sits in the chair across from me.
“You’ve always been straight with me.” I sweep my hand in front of me. “Don’t stop now.”
“Why are you being so picky about this replacement? Several of these people are qualified. No one is going to fill your shoes. You just need to pick one.”
I scrub a hand down my face. “Because what if they fail? What if they take everything I’ve built and run it into the ground?”
“And what if they take it to new heights? What if they succeed beyond your wildest dreams?” She quirks a brow at me.
“Wow. Glad to know I’m so replaceable.” I roll my eyes at her.
“Leo. Your company has been your life for as long as I’ve been with you. And now you have something else to focus your efforts on.” The image of Reagan lying in the hospital bed is burned into my brain. The fact that I couldn’t take her home and care for her reiterated the point of me needing to leave work behind me. “I’m quite proud of the man you’re becoming.”
I give Stella a warm smile. “Thank you, Stella. That means a lot to me.”
“Now, don’t discount this person. I think they’ll surprise you.” Stella winks at me as she stands, leaving my office.
The door stays open behind her as someone else takes her spot.
“Kai? What the fuck are you doing here?” Bewilderment is written all over my face.
“Wow. Is that how you talk to people you do business with? I’m going to have to make a lot of changes around here.”
My posture takes a defensive stand, my hands settling on my hips. “I’m being serious. What are you doing here?”
“I told you I could take over the company for you. I knew you didn’t believe me, so I set up a meeting with Stella.”
“And why are you qualified? Other than being a Scott?”
Kai sits up straighter. “I know you think I’ve just been putzing around and not doing anything with my life, but I’ll have you know I’ve been investing in start-up tech firms.”
“What? Since when?” I can’t keep the shock out of my voice.
“For the last few years. And I’ve been doing very well. I can buy in here as a partner, and I know the business, so I don’t make bad investments.”
“Investing is different than running a company.”
Kai scoffs at me. “Good thing I’ve been paying attention to you these last few years.”
“You really want to take over my company?” The idea settles in my head, taking hold.
“Yes. I’d rather have something steady instead of just investing. I want to see you become a dad and raise that little girl with Reagan. She deserves to have a father like we didn’t.”
Pain lances through my heart. “What makes you think Reagan will take me back?”
“Because I’ve seen the way she looks at you. Maybe if Mum and Dad were like that, you wouldn’t have had to raise us.”
“Wow. Who are you and what have you done with my little brother?” I stand, pulling him in for a hug.
“Guess I had a good role model all these years. So, do I have the job?”
I let out a laugh, clapping Kai on the shoulder. “I guess there isn’t anyone more qualified than a Scott to take over the company.”
“Great. Now, here are my demands.”
