Page 115 of Twisted Knight

“What about it?”

“You asked me to work with you. I’ve accepted that offer because we both know I’m a valuable asset for you. Both in my knowledge of the company and the trust that the employees have in me.”

“A seat isn’t going to give you what you want. Your one vote won’t allow you to overpower your brother’s, dad’s, and Chad’s votes all pooled together.”

“Correct, but I’ll have a voice there for the first time, and it’s more than I’ve ever had.”

“It still doesn’t change the amount of power you have.”

“I’m well aware of that. I have my reasons.” The seat he gives me and the seat my gran is giving me mean two votes. My persuasion skills are on point. If I were to convince Holden and Chad to vote with me—and maybe sway a few others with the dirt Gran left me to use—I could manage to get the things for the company it needs.

It’s a long shot but it’s the best shot I’ve ever had, and that is everything.

“I want it written in the parameters of your purchase. A seat that is irrevocable.”

“The terms of the purchase are set already.”

“Then un-set them,” I counter.

“A seat is enough of a dig for you? That seems so very un-Rothschild of you.”

“I’ll take a percentage of ownership too.”

He coughs out a laugh. “Give a girl an inch—”

“Bet your ass I’m going to take a mile,” I say. “So?”

“You’re asking me to give up some of my ownership?” He tilts his head to the side and studies me, his finger rubbing back and forth over his lips.

“I am.” He’ll never give it to me. Never.

“One percent.”

“One percent?” I ask, startled that he’s even contemplating it.

“Yes. It’s all I can part with or majority numbers get tricky, and I like mine clear fucking cut.”

“I’ll pay for the percentage. For the ownership.”

He waves a hand dismissively. “Think of it as an investment in this company.”

“Also known as an extra twist of the knife in my brother’s back.”

He toggles his head from side to side as if he’s contemplating it. “You can look at it that way, yes.”

My heart races and my head spins. I own a minute percentage of the family company. Rhett owns the majority, our shareholders hold a bit, and the family trust owns the rest. The trust that I get disbursements from, but that Rhett otherwise manages. I get my paycheck, I get my trust checks, but Rhett holds so much more in his hands.

Until now.

Until Holden.

I’ll have my small existing portion, another 1 percent from Holden, and then Gran’s percentage of ownership.

Holy shit.

I’ll now have so much more than a leg to stand on.

Get your head on straight. Think about this without emotion attached. What are the next steps? How do you protect this deal?