Page 80 of Sweet Redemption

“Of course, honey.” Nothing like working with people who have known you since you were in actual diapers. “Max,” she buzzes him. “Are you ready for Serena?”

“Always,” his voice booms.

“Go on in,” she tells me, not bothering to show me in like she would almost anyone else. Why would she when his office used to be one of my favorite places to hide when Saylor and I would play hide-and-go-seek at the offices?

This building has been a home away from home for me all my life.

But it’s time that changed.

“Hi, Daddy.” I step into his office and pull the door closed behind me, pushing down the guilt that’s eating at me. “How are you feeling?” I ask as I take the seat across from his imposing oak desk.

“Like I wish everyone would stop asking that,” he groans, clearly over any questions about his health.

He and Teagan should start a support group.

“What’s going on, Serena?” He nods toward the folders in my hands. “Have you found my replacement?”

“Your replacement?” I joke. “You’re irreplaceable, Dad.”

“Oh wow. You’re buttering me up. Now I know I’m in trouble.” He rests his elbows on his desk and stares at the folder. “So to be clear, is that your replacement’s file?”

“One of them is.” I lay the file in front of him and open it to the front page.

“Teagan’s résumé?” He picks up the top page and scans it quickly. “Why am I looking at this? Teagan doesn’t want your job.”

“Oh, Dad. You’re the smartest man I’ve ever known, but sometimes you don’t see things that are right in front of your face.” I spread out the next few pages across his desk. “She’s worked in every single department the Revolution has. She knows the team. Knows how it runs from the ground up. She also understands King Corp.’s values and where the Revolution falls in the grand scheme of the business. She loves this team. She’s loyal and professional and decisive and smarter than I’ve ever been. All the things you can’t fake or force in an employee.”

“But she’s never expressed any interest in your position, Serena. I think you’re missing the mark with this one.” Why do men refuse to listen?

“That doesn’t mean she doesn’t want it. It’s more likely she wasn’t ready when you offered it to me. But I’m telling you, she wants it. And I’m also telling you she’d be great at it in a way I never would. Bonus points—she’s family.”

He pulls the next sheet over and skims it, then the two next to that, reading the reviews from each department head she’s worked for before finally looking back at me. “Do you think she can take over the team?”

I choke. Worrying this day would come last year when Dad was going through treatments was one thing. Hearing him ask that . . . Knowing he’s thinking about it . . . That’s a whole other level of hell. When the man who spent your whole life being invincible suddenly isn’t, it cracks a foundation that never quite heals.

“Eventually, yes,” I agree, straightening. “I think she’s the best person to do it. She’s got the business side, Dad. Uncle Jace loves this team, but he would rather hang by the lace of his skates than sit in an office all day. Move Teagan into my position and train her. Let it take years. It’s not like you’re stepping down now.”

“I’ll think about it.” He piles the papers back in their folder and points to the one I’m still holding. “What’s in there?”

Here goes nothing . . .

I run a hand over the file, working up the nerve to look at my father.

He’s an amazing father and an incredibly savvy businessman, so why am I nervous?

Oh right. Because I’m about to ask him for five million dollars.

Or not . . .

“I think I figured out my next move.” How my voice isn’t shaking right now is something I may never understand. I suck air into my lungs like they’re on fire and reach for a bottle of water.

Dad sits back and crosses his arms. “I’m all ears.”

Of course he is. Now that I’m a nervous wreck, he’s going to hang on every word I say.

“I spoke with my former team owner earlier in the week,” I start, forcing myself to get it together.

“How is Ty?” I still remember joining Emerald City and Dad telling me that the owner was a good man because of course Max Kingston knows everyone.