4. Sawyer
Chapter 4
Sawyer
The next morning, I thrust my coffee mug onto my desk. Clenching my fists, I inhaled deeply. This was not the news I wanted.
Thank you for the offer. However, Hatchcom Focus will continue to operate on its own accord. When we have an offer ready, we will consider the Feldman Farm.
Best,
NR
One of the best ways to dominate the competition was to completely absorb it. Fifty million was more than an excessive offer, but I wanted them out of our way. The more of their employees that we had to eliminate in the domination process, the less valuable their company would be.
Yet I had no choice but to be vicious in my attacks.
My fingers twitched at my sides, the dice jingling in my pockets. My father flashed into my mind.
Act normal, my father had instructed. He had scanned the room, searching for a particular stripper. It’s part of power. Making people trust you. Mirror what they want.
When we found the stripper, she kissed his cheek and took us to the VIP room. Inside, my father handed her a small velvet jewelry box. She angled herself so that anyone who opened the curtains wouldn’t be able to see inside. Then she opened the box.
Inside, there was an ear, shriveled and bloody, the lobe stretched to include a wide gauge. Her late, abusive boyfriend’s ear.
The stripper gasped, then hugged my father, kissing his cheek. They spoke for a while, then she fell to her knees in front of him, grinding her tits on his lap.
Trust me, he said, keeping his eyes on her, his words directed at me, all it takes is giving them a taste of what they want. Then they’re yours forever. Isn’t that right, Minx?
Yes, baby, the stripper murmured.
My father stroked her hair and chuckled: That’s true power, son.
And in a way, what he said was true. When it came to my only desire, to lead the family business, my father held it in front of me like a treat in front of a dog. He even took me to unnecessary business meetings, like right then, to give me a sample of what that power would be like.
The stripper unzipped his trousers, pulling out his dick, sucking on it greedily. Perhaps he thought I should want that kind of power over her. But I wasn’t interested in that.
It was later, when he convinced that same stripper to be the bait for a particularly difficult kill, that I became intrigued. In the end, she didn’t survive, but we had the cash from a satisfied client.
That was the power I wanted: control over others.
And the only way to get my father’s position as leader was to be more like him, and kill him. To mirror his language, so that he thought I was loyal to our family’s business, and above all else, loyal to him.
Nothing could have been further from the truth.
Now, my father was gone. Roth of Hatchcom Focus, in comparison, was a new kind of obstacle. Buying his company would have been the easiest way to deal with the issue, but it was not our only solution. We could always get rid of the competition.
But first, off to my latest project.
The parking lot contained a half-constructed building—what was supposed to be a multi-purpose room. The main brick building had a high ceiling but stood only one story tall, with a large room in the corner for a computer center and a children’s area in the other. A staff room was settled in the back, with several computers and book racks. Two women worked in that room, one with black hair, and the other with chestnut hair. Fiona. A smile painted on her face as she buzzed on, filling in her new co-worker about the intricacies of the New Host Library. Based on the eyes I had watching her over the years, this was the place where Fiona was most content, where she seemed the most confident and at peace. Which was exactly why I bought it. The library was a piece of my puzzle.
The other woman waved. Fiona’s jaw dropped when her eyes landed on me.
“Ladies,” I said, nodding my head. I turned to the other woman. “You must be Erica Houston.”
The black-haired woman nodded. “Yes. And this is?—”
“Fiona Ross,” I said, finishing her sentence. My eyes fell on Fiona, penetrating her with my gaze. So her new boss and her coworker had decided to show up today. She could clock out when she was assigned .
“Mr. Feldman,” Fiona said, sucking in a breath. She narrowed her eyes at me, leveling her shoulders. “You must be the new owner.”
“You told me that, right?” Erica said to her.
“There is a managerial position that needs filling,” I interrupted. “I’m planning to open it to the current staff first, only focusing on the full-time hires: you two.” I motioned to each of them. “I know you started today, Erica,” I nodded at the black-haired woman, “but the Board showed me your resume. It’s impressive. And Fiona, I know you have plenty of experience here. But I won’t be judging on a resume or interview alone,” I angled myself toward Fiona. “You will each create a program. Whether it’s for adults or for youth is your choice”
“Um, sir?” the other woman said, shaking her head. “I just got here.”
Fiona crossed her arms. “You’re making us compete? That’s not fair to either of us. Including Erica.”
“It’s an assignment, ” I corrected them. “Regardless of whether you have an interest in the managerial position, it is a chance for you both to show off your creativity and leadership skills. Do you have any questions about that?”
Fiona bit the inside of her cheek. “I’d love the opportunity,” she said. It was hard to argue with me when I framed it like that. Community programming was part of her passion.
“Erica?” I asked.
“I guess I’ll learn on the job,” she said. She patted Fiona’s back. “Will you help me?”
Fiona nodded.
I continued: “The New Host Library will go through many changes over the next few months. I expect both of you to give your best efforts. ”
“Of course,” the other woman said. She nudged Fiona. “Fi?”
“Happy to oblige,” Fiona said.
I used my key to open the small office tucked inside of the staff room. A giant painting of Pierce Mountain hung above the filing cabinet, a desk on the opposite side. I made a few phone calls to the local cattle backgrounding operations while staring out of the window connecting my office to the staff room. It gave me a perfect view of Fiona as I droned through each call.
Once I was done, I found Fiona shelving in the fiction section.
“You get off at three?” I asked.
“Yes, Mr. Feldman,” Fiona said. “Do you need me to cover someone’s shift?”
Even though we had met before, there was a definite formality to her voice. She was determined to treat this like work, then. I was simply another obstacle when it came to her dream.
What would she do when she realized I could give her what she wanted?
“I’ll meet you at the Spiced Harvest Steakhouse. Six-thirty,” I said.
Her eyes widened, then her lips pressed into a thin, curious line. “Why would I do that?”
“We’re family,” I said. “We can discuss a suitable arrangement for the two of us. It’s the best practice for our work relationship. Wouldn’t you agree?”
She rubbed her arms, not answering my question. “Did you know I worked here?”
I scratched my chin. “Are you suggesting I bought the library to get closer to you?”
Her cheeks flushed, and I chuckled. Upon realizing that I was teasing her, she relaxed. “I purchased this business long before Wilder and Maisie’s anniversary party. You know that.”
She pursed her lips together. “It’s not a business; it’s a non-profit organization.”
I tapped my temple. “We can talk about that over dinner. Six-thirty.”
“And if I don’t go?”
“Then I guess you’ll have to see what happens when you decline your boss’s invitation.”
The red tint crawled across her cheeks and neck, trailing down her arms. I went to my new office, pleased that she was curious now. A woman with that kind of personality was my favorite kind to break. To show her where her flaws bloomed. To make her face her breaking points.
Because I wasn’t going to let her break me down too.
Fiona
I glanced through the window to the owner’s office where my sister’s brother-in-law was working. I hadn’t expected to see him so soon after last night. It was hard not to be embarrassed; I must have made a complete ass of myself. But Sawyer acted like nothing was wrong. Like I wasn’t his brother’s sister-in-law. Like none of that mattered to him, because he was the new, sole-owner of this establishment.
Because he was.
I took a deep breath, making a promise to myself that I wasn’t going to let any of these changes get to me. This was my happy place. Even if he was our new director, and even if he had plans to change everything, for now, it was still the New Host Library, one of the few places I loved. Sometimes, it was quiet, but other times, it was full of action, especially on youth programming days, which always reminded me of Elaine, my late little sister. By being here, I could focus on giving back to the community, nurturing this safe, independent space, one book at a time.
Erica, our new full-time hire who had actually shown up for her first shift, scanned a book and shuffled her choppy black hair out of her face. She had a master’s degree in communications, but she had never actually been inside of a library before, not even to check out a book for graduate school. I didn’t understand why she was there. It’s not like the pay was competitive.
But the atmosphere made up for it.
“What do you think of him?” Erica asked.
I paused the recorded lecture playing on my phone, then pulled out my earbuds. “What is there to think?” I asked.
“Isn’t he Sawyer Feldman?” She lifted her shoulders. “You know, of the Feldman Farm? One of the oldest cattle ranches in Crown Creek?”
Crown Creek was the neighboring area to Pierce. Two years ago, I had worked with a local agricultural farmer from Crown Creek to create a youth program about the plant cycle. Elaine used to love any of the programs that had special guests like that. It was always more exciting to her.
I’m sure I had heard of the Feldman Farm, even before Maisie’s marriage.
“Sure,” I said. I grabbed clear tape to fix a ripped page of a children’s book. “But there are plenty of farmers and ranchers in Crown Creek.”
“I heard the Feldmans are rich.” Erica cocked a brow at me. “You’re single, aren’t you? ”
Was she trying to set me up with him simply because he was wealthy? I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
“Are you single?” I asked, avoiding her question.
“Not really,” she shrugged. “But I can look, can’t I?”
“What do you think of him, then?”
She tilted her head to each side. “He doesn’t dress like a farmer.”
Those gold cufflinks were too flashy for cattle work. He must have liked his luxury status.
“Maybe he thinks he has to be fancy for the library,” I joked.
Erica snickered, and we both stared at him for a second.
“But he is hot,” she said.
I waved a dismissive hand, but inwardly, I agreed. A stern jaw. Blue-gray eyes, like the exterior of a chromatic building reflecting a blue sky. His suit exuded power and confidence in every possible way. Like he could make anyone bow before him. Even me.
But he was still my boss and sister’s brother-in-law. And he was too arrogant.
Not that I was even considering it.
He looked up from the desk, and we quickly shuffled back to work.
“Think he’ll end up staying here a lot?” she asked.
“A businessman like him is too busy for a little library,” I said. That was why he wanted to finally fill the manager’s position. “I don’t even know why he bought it.”
“Because the Board of Trustees never got the funds to finish the renovations?” Erica whispered.
That was right. I had forgotten I had told her about that. We hadn’t gotten enough funds to finish the multi-purpose room, and the funds for that had affected our ability to get new books in stock. And this was a library. We needed books.
Still, that didn’t change the fact that Sawyer and the library didn’t make sense.
“But he doesn’t need a library,” I said.
“Why do you care?” I pretended to glare at her, and she laughed, raising her hands in defense. “Just trying to understand the workplace culture.”
“He’s my sister’s brother-in-law,” I mumbled.
“Oh, awkward.”
“And we’re going to dinner.”
“What?” She smacked my back. “Are you going to bone him?”
“It’s not like that,” I cackled. “I’m going to ask him to transfer me.”
“Wait. Don’t tell me you’re leaving me already,” she whined. “How am I going to survive without you?”
“Finding a transfer will take a while.” And finding one with full-time hours, benefits, and a reasonable commute would be difficult, but if Mr. Feldman could buy a library, he could certainly help me find somewhere else to work.
Because I wasn’t going to let our awkward relationship get in the way of running my own library.
“Wait. You said he’s taking you to dinner?” Erica asked.
My shoulders tensed. Those weren’t my exact words, but they were close enough. “Why?”
“So, it’s like a date, then.”
I audibly groaned, too tired to withhold that frustration anymore. I used to believe in love and fate, back before I failed out of medical school. But now everything, including love, seemed so pointless. I scanned the barcode for a romantic comedy with one of those bright cartoon covers, annoyed with my new pessimistic self. Even if fairytales were real, it was never going to be Sawyer Feldman.
“It’s not a date,” I said.
“You’re blushing,” she said. “It’s a date.”
I reached for my earbuds, trying to end the conversation.
“Hey. Come on. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She rubbed my shoulder. “You want me to come too? Be your plus one? Your—” she cocked her head to the side, “—partner in crime?”
I laughed. It was nice of her, but I didn’t want any company for a conversation like that.
“It’s fine,” I said. “It’ll be over before we even order drinks. I’m just going to ask for a transfer, then leave.”
And as dismal as it was, Erica was my competition. If he didn’t help me find a transfer, then I would have to work at the New Host Library until I found one myself. And then I would be competing with Erica for that managerial position. Dinner with Sawyer might be one of the only chances I’d get to make a good impression.
“Call me if you change your mind,” she said.
I thanked her, then put my earbuds back in, resuming the recorded lecture. Peace washed over me as I finished up my tasks for the day, listening to my professor’s calming voice.
Erica seemed nice so far. A fast learner, but still a newbie at entering library card registrations, which was to be expected of anyone. And I was relieved that she had actually shown up.
And Sawyer had shown up too.
He acted like he didn’t know I worked here, but he hadn’t said anything last night when I brought it up. Had I met him somewhere else? Was there more to him ?
I wasn’t sure what it was, but I wasn’t going to let him stop me from going after what I wanted.