Chapter 16
Walt slaps down the glossy Walsh Dynamics brochures. “It”s clear who the optimal vendor is here,” he huffs. “Walsh capacity trounces the competition by leaps. And Roger sweetened his bid with a fast timeline.” He punctuates this grand reveal with a fist slam.
I resist rolling my eyes at the photoshopped hardware probably staged specifically with winning this contract in mind. Talk about deep pockets. Meanwhile, Cade frowns over callout bubbles promising a functionality akin to an alien spacecraft.
“This timeline seems aggressive, Mr. Whitmore. Deliverables in half the duration of other established players? Are you positive that Walsh won”t cut regulatory corners just to snag this contract?”
The old man releases an exasperated huff, as if he were a snorting bull. “Pah! Roger Walsh has been in my golf foursome for decades. His toys never break!” Walt scoffs. “Damnit, Cade, you young bucks and your newfangled risk-averse notions! You were both Navy SEALs, for Pete’s sake. Where is all this caution coming from?”
I remain quiet, stewing over the distinctly uncomfortable run in with heir-apparent Preston. Try as I might, there is lingering unease warning me to stay clear of that family.
“I appreciate the fastidious upsell, but it seems prudent to hold off with the decision until we have reviewed all the proposals and have conducted the site visits.”
Walt humphs disdainfully at my hedging before brightening with a glint in his eyes that makes my hackles rise. “Say, Maddie seems like a real firecracker. When do I get a proper sit down with your beautiful bride-to-be?”
Subtly, I aim a desperate SOS look at Cade, raising my brows. After years of service together, he can almost read my mind. Raising his palms, he jumps in. “I need Jack to come to my office for a meeting with legal.”
But Walt shoots him an impressive stink eye.
“Jack will join you in a few minutes.” He waves him off impatiently, leaving Cade no choice but to make his exit.
I start packing up my laptop when Walt turns back to me, waggling his bristly eyebrows. “I’d like you and Maddie to join me down in St. Maarten next weekend. A little future in-law bonding is overdue. And with the weather turning chilly, I’m sure you’ll both appreciate the sun.”
My gut churns picturing Maddie navigating his intense scrutiny, as he no doubt sees this trip as a chance to examine the durability of our relationship before he decides to sign his empire over to me. His questions will poke her like blunt spears, judging how suitable I am to rule his kingdom based on how convincing as a future queen Maddie is. If I was to concoct an excuse, it would surely risk his suspicion. With a martyred sigh, I nod in agreement.
“Sure, Dad, we’re looking forward to it. It will be a nice change of scenery. I don’t think Maddie has ever been.”
Satisfied, he nods and slaps me on the shoulder. “Ok then. Keep me posted on how the site visits are progressing.”
With Walt finally gone, I buzz Jessica. “Please call Maddie to my office.” She chirps back conspiratorially about young love as I vigorously rub fresh tension from my eyelids.
I lean back, attempting measured breaths to brace for the vision about to walk through my door. Like clockwork these days, the mere prospect of Maddie”s presence kickstarts an almost Pavlovian response. My pulse elevates, my lower belly pulses, and all honorable intentions get shoved aside.
It”s confounding. As a Navy SEAL, I endured brutal conditions while maintaining diamond focus. Now the promise of a willowy girl I hardly know instantly erodes that hard-won discipline. Somehow, when Maddie is nearby, all logic flees my primitive brain, usurped by pure, flaming hunger.
I swipe both hands roughly down my face, grumbling curses.
Get it together, man!
A sharp rap at the door precedes it cracking open. I glance up and instantly regret it, all professional focus flying out the wall-length windows. Maddie hovers hesitantly in the entrance, wearing a curve-hugging gray shift dress meant to appear professional. Yet all it manages to do is look naughty as hell. She is sporting sky-high heels, making those exquisite legs stretch for eternity.
I wonder if she is doing this on purpose.
At home, I have been staying on the second floor behind closed doors, replaying the VR therapy programs and steeling my resolve. But now, my tongue dries up like the Sahara as her hair catches the morning rays.
“Come in, close the door,” I manage to croak through gritted teeth.
Eyes glinting, she steps in cautiously. I clear my throat gruffly, the anger at myself sharpening my tone. “Hope your morning has been productive?”
“Yes . . .” she trails off, confusion plastered all over her face. “Did you want to discuss the progress on the social media front?”
“I do want you to give me a brief about it, but that can wait. I called you to give you a heads up that we’ll be taking a short trip next weekend. Please arrange your schedule accordingly.”
Maddie looks surprised. “A trip? I thought things were . . .”
She doesn”t finish the sentence, but hurt flashes across her face. I fight every instinct to go comfort her, keeping my tone detached.
“My father specifically requested your presence. We”ve been invited to the family estate in St. Maarten.”
I explain the expectations. There will be formal dinners, socializing, but also beach time. The subtext is that Walt will be scrutinizing our relationship under a microscope before deciding whether his prodigal son is worthy of the crown.
Maddie is uncertain, as if debating whether to ask what happens if we don”t convince Walt we are committed soulmates. But she just nods silently, eyes downcast while I battle the urge to kiss her lips.
I settle for balling my fists under the table, steadying my voice. “We’ll leave next Friday afternoon from the office. I”ll have my assistant email you some more details and give you the credit card.” Her eyes widen. “Use it. And let me know if I need to speak to Amanda.”
She blinks rapidly, eyes glistening. “No need for that. I will let her know.”
I flinch, dismissing her curtly. Staying disciplined is the only way to go through this. Hell Week was nothing in comparison to this torture.
But I can’t risk it anymore.
This arrangement needs to come to a swift close.