22. Kyle The Final Move
Kyle: The Final Move
The moment Leslie steps out of the conference room, I brace myself.
I know what’s coming.
Mr. Lancaster doesn’t waste time. He folds his hands on the table and looks at me steadily. “Kyle, let’s address the obvious—your relationship with Ms. Hart.”
Murmurs ripple across the room. A few board members shift uncomfortably, while others look like they’ve been waiting for this moment.
I lean back in my chair, keeping my expression unreadable. “Go ahead.”
Mr. Harding, one of the more conservative members, clears his throat. “You’re aware of the company policy against executive-employee relationships, aren’t you?”
I give a slow nod. “I am.”
“The policy was put in place after the scandal with Vice President Benson three years ago,” he continues. “We made it clear that such relationships—especially at the executive level—could put the company at risk.”
I glance around the table, meeting each of their gazes. “That situation was different. Benson abused his position. He manipulated an employee and lied about it. It became a scandal because it was built on deceit and exploitation.” I pause. “That is not what’s happening here.”
Mr. Lancaster watches me closely. “Then what is happening?”
I don’t hesitate. “I love her.”
The room goes still.
Some members glance at each other. A few shift in their seats, as if unsure how to respond.
I take a breath. “Let me make something clear. I didn’t build Starz Management Group into what it is today by being reckless.
I didn’t steer this company through the toughest years, through corporate battles and industry shifts, just to throw it all away over a relationship.
And let’s be honest—if I could keep this company thriving through a public divorce, what makes you think I can’t do my job while being with someone who actually makes me better? ”
Silence.
Mr. Lancaster leans back, rubbing his chin. Then, after a moment, he exhales. “Let’s put it to a vote.”
A pause. Then—one by one—hands go up.
Every single one.
I nod, satisfied. But I’m not done.
“One more thing,” I say. “The policy against executive-employee relationships—it needs to be removed.”
Some of them blink.
“You want it annulled?” Mr. Harding asks.
“Yes.” My voice is firm. “That policy was put in place because of one bad situation. But making relationships off-limits entirely doesn’t solve anything. What matters is transparency and professionalism.”
Mr. Lancaster glances around the room. Then he nods. “All in favor?”
Hands go up again.
Just like that, it’s done.
The meeting is adjourned. As I stand and make my way out, Daniel catches my eye and smirks. I shake my head, ignoring him, and head straight for Leslie’s office.
***
I stare at the message on Leslie’s phone, my grip tightening around the device.
You think it’s over? It’s not. This is just the beginning.
Leslie’s fingers curl around her desk as she reads it again, her face pale but unreadable.
Amanda is already in cuffs. There’s no way she sent this.
Which means . . .
My jaw clenches.
Anthony Reeves.
Leslie glances up at me, her lips parting slightly. “You think it’s him, don’t you?”
I exhale, rubbing a hand over my face. “It has to be.”
Amanda was always ambitious, always scheming. But this level of coordination, the offshore accounts, the meticulous planning—it was bigger than her. And Reeves had been circling for years, waiting for a chance to take me down.
Well, now he has my full attention.
And I am done playing defense.
***
Daniel leans against my office desk, arms crossed, as I pace in front of him.
“So, you want to bait him,” he says, his expression unreadable.
I nod. “Amanda’s out of the picture, but Reeves won’t stop until he’s forced to. We need to dangle something he can’t resist.”
Daniel exhales, considering. “A deal.”
“Exactly.”
Reeves had been desperate to sink his claws into Starz Management. If he thought I was vulnerable—if he believed I was willing to negotiate—he’d come running.
Daniel’s lips curve slightly. “I have a better idea.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”
He leans forward, his voice lowering. “Instead of making it seem like you’re desperate, let’s make it look like I am. If I act like I’m tired of cleaning up your messes—like I want out—he’ll trust me faster.”
I nod slowly, the plan clicking into place.
Daniel smirks. “Now, let’s set the bait.”
I grab my phone to give him Reeves number.
“Make the call,” I tell him.
***
The meeting is set for tonight. A private club downtown.
Daniel makes sure the bait is irresistible—a fabricated proposal suggesting he’s ready to walk away from Starz Management, taking some of our biggest clients with him.
He’ll act like he’s fed up, tired of cleaning up my messes, and looking for a fresh start. The offer? Hand-delivering our top stars to Reeves in exchange for a cushy executive role at Pinnacle.
If Reeves is as greedy as we know he is, he won’t be able to resist.
Leslie sits on the edge of my desk, arms crossed. “What if he doesn’t take the bait?”
“He will.”
Her lips press together. “And if he knows it’s a trap?”
“Then he’s smarter than I give him credit for.”
She doesn’t look convinced, but she doesn’t argue.
I step closer, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I need you to trust me.”
Her eyes search mine for a long second. Then she nods.
***
The club is dimly lit, filled with the scent of expensive whiskey and murmured conversations.
Daniel sits alone in a booth near the back, nursing a drink. I take a separate booth, close enough to observe but far enough to stay unnoticed. A hidden earpiece feeds every word to me. A wire beneath Daniel’s shirt records it all.
Reeves arrives ten minutes late. He pauses near the bar, scanning the room before spotting Daniel.
For a second, he hesitates.
He’s wary. Suspicious.
But Daniel doesn’t look at him. He swirls his drink lazily, as if Reeves isn’t worth his attention.
That does the trick.
Reeves finally moves, sliding into the seat across from Daniel.
“I have to admit,” he says, signaling a waiter for a drink. “I was surprised to hear from you.”
Daniel smirks. “Business is business.”
Reeves tilts his head. “And here I thought you were too loyal to Donovan.”
Daniel exhales, shaking his head. “Kyle’s not the man I met twelve years ago.”
Reeves raises a brow. “No?”
“No.” Daniel takes a slow sip, his expression hard. “He’s changed. He used to have vision. Now? He’s throwing everything away over a woman.”
Reeves chuckles. “That’s what I said. The great Kyle Donovan, brought to his knees by Leslie Hart.”
Daniel scoffs. “It’s not just that. His judgment’s slipping. The way he handled the Amanda situation? Reckless. And now, he’s going to destroy the careers of the biggest stars we manage.”
Reeves watches him carefully. “So what exactly are you proposing?”
Daniel leans in slightly. “A transfer. I pull out the top stars and bring them to Pinnacle. You give me an executive position.”
Reeves studies him, tapping his glass. He’s intrigued. But cautious.
“You could’ve left and gone solo,” he says. “Why come to me?”
Daniel lets out a humorless laugh. “Because you know how to play the long game. You would’ve taken Starz down eventually. Why fight you when I can profit from the inevitable?”
Reeves exhales, shaking his head. “I won’t lie, Daniel. I had a bigger plan—one that would’ve made Kyle’s downfall public. Humiliating.” He smirks. “That would’ve been satisfying.”
“But now you’re getting what you wanted on a platter,” Daniel says.
Reeves takes a slow sip. “Fair enough.”
Silence lingers between them. Then Reeves chuckles.
“To be honest, I thought Amanda would pull through.”
Daniel frowns. “Amanda?”
Reeves waves a hand. “She was just a pawn.”
Daniel leans in, acting slightly drunk. “Shame. She really went down hard for you.”
Reeves grins. “She was never mine. She worked at Pinnacle years ago but missed out on a big promotion. Got pissed and left.”
Daniel acts surprised. “Huh. Didn’t know that.”
Reeves leans back, looking smug. He thinks he’s in control now.
“She held a grudge. But when Leslie Hart left us for Starz, Amanda took it personally. Back when Leslie was just an intern, she made some great suggestions. Impressed the execs.” Reeves smirks. “Guess who got the promotion?”
Daniel whistles. “No wonder Amanda hated her.”
Reeves swirls his drink. “I promised her a better position at Pinnacle. Better pay. All she had to do was help me take down Starz.”
Bingo.
I clench my fist under the table. Every word is being recorded.
And Reeves has no idea.
Daniel nods, pretending to think. “Well, at least you’re still getting what you want.”
Reeves laughs, raising his glass. “To new partnerships.”
Daniel clinks his glass against his. “To new partnerships.”
And just like that, we got him.
The moment Reeves steps out of the club, I send the recording to my contact in law enforcement.
An arrest warrant is already in motion.
He just doesn’t know it yet.
***
The next morning, Leslie walks into my office, arms crossed. “Well?”
I smirk. “He took the bait.”
She exhales, tension easing from her shoulders. “And?”
“He’s about to have a very bad day.”
Leslie’s shoulders drop in relief. Then a slow smile spreads across her lips. “We need to celebrate.”
Before I can respond, the door swings open, and Daniel strides in. He looks smug—like a man who just won the lottery.
“You should’ve seen his face,” Daniel says, chuckling as he drops into a chair. “Reeves really thought he had it all figured out.”
Leslie grins. “I still can’t believe he admitted everything so easily.”
Daniel smirks. “Arrogance. That’s what got him.”
Before we can say more, my phone buzzes. It’s my contact at the police station.
“You might want to turn on the TV,” the officer says. “It’s going down live.”
I grab the remote and switch on the screen. The image flickers to life, and there he is.
Reeves is at the airport, standing in line for a private flight when officers swarm him.
At first, he looks annoyed. Then realization dawns. His face twists—rage, then panic.
Too late.
The cops cuff him, reading him his rights as cameras capture the whole scene.
Daniel lets out a low whistle. “Damn. That’s got to hurt.”
I turn off the TV and glance at Leslie. She watches the blank screen for a moment longer before turning to me. “It’s over.”
I nod. “It’s over.”
Daniel claps his hands together. “Now this calls for a celebration.” He grabs a bottle from the shelf and starts pouring drinks.
I stop him with a hand on his wrist. “Not that one.”
He raises a brow. “Oh?”
I walk over to the safe in the corner of my office, keying in the code. The door clicks open, revealing an old, dust-covered bottle of whiskey.
Leslie eyes it curiously. “What’s that?”
I brush the dust off, smiling slightly. “A very special drink. A gift from my father. Told me to save it for a real victory.”
Daniel grins. “Well, if this isn’t a real victory, I don’t know what is.”
I pour three glasses and hand them out.
“To taking down bastards who think they’re untouchable,” Daniel toasts, raising his glass.
Leslie smirks. “To justice.”
I lift mine. “To Starz Management.”
We clink glasses and take a sip, the aged whiskey burning smooth and strong.
For the first time in weeks, I feel it.
Relief.
Leslie turns to me, eyes shining, and before I can react, she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me.
It’s soft at first—sweet—but then I pull her closer, deepening it.
Daniel groans. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Can you two not make out over a man’s downfall?”
Leslie laughs against my lips, pulling back just enough to glance at him. “Jealous?”
Daniel scoffs. “Of watching Kyle suck face? Not even a little.”
I smirk, wrapping an arm around Leslie’s waist.
She leans into me, her voice teasing. “So . . . what’s next?”
I take another sip of my drink, meeting her gaze with a slow, knowing smile.
“Wait and see.”