Chapter 5
KAT
When Elliot Granger, the head of my asset management team walks into my office, his pinched expression tells me everything I need to know.
“When?” I ask.
“Six months at the earliest.”
Fuck!
My hand grips my pendant, sliding it backwards and forwards.
Think Kat.
“And that’s all of them?”
“Everyone we approached before. Donovan and Jones have said they can put one of their other teams on it to begin with, but they were low on our list of preferred contractors.”
My hand pauses mid-slide.
Will someone give me a break! Please!
I hold my voice calm and steady. “No, this is too important,” I say honestly, earning myself a nod. At least someone is on my page. “Fine, we’ll go with Highcliffe and Partners. I’ll just have to sell the delay to the board.”
I stand up and run a hand down my trouser suit.
“Thank you, Elliot.”
He pauses as he reaches the door. “Good luck. Let me know the outcome so I can begin drawing up the relevant contracts.”
“There’s no such thing as luck,” I tell him truthfully.
“You make your own luck, Kitty Kat.”
Dad’s words echo in my mind.
I often ask myself what he would do or say.
Where have the past seven years gone?
One thing I know for sure. He would tell me to be confident.
“This is a hiccup, Kitty Kat, not a disaster. Focus on the positives. You’re the boss, they’ll follow your lead. Never show your insecurities, or the vultures will swoop in.”
After Elliot leaves, I move to my private bathroom, checking my hair and makeup. I pull on my tailored suit jacket, my eyes meeting in the mirror.
It’s showtime.
I grab my laptop and move to the door.
I close my eyes briefly as I wait for the elevator.
The board and our investors are going to have to suck it up.
Since taking over as CEO, I’ve managed some pretty amazing feats, but on this occasion, I can’t bloody well magic an architect firm out of thin air, especially one with the knowledge and skill set we require.
I open my eyes as Michael appears at my side. “Caleb called earlier.”
The elevator arrives, and I step in, Michael following.
“Did he say what he wanted?”
“Nothing urgent, he said he’d see you in the board meeting.”
“And that’s all he said?”
Michael looks confused.
“Outside of good morning and how are you, yes.”
My gut roils, and my muscles twitch.
Caleb never rings to tell me he’ll see me later.
He’s a chip off the old block in terms of our father. I love him dearly, but… I frown.
“Is everything okay?” Michael asks.
I give myself a mental shake. He’s learning to read me too well. I suppose that’s what happens when you work closely with someone every day for a year, mentoring them. I replace my metaphorical mask.
But the butterflies don’t leave as we make our way to the boardroom. Several of the board members are already in their seats, and tea and coffee are being served.
“Morning, everyone,” I say, making my way to the head of the table.
“Morning, Kat,” Lewis says, entering and making his way around the table.
He’s one of the longest-standing members of the board and was a close friend and ally of my father’s.
I place my laptop down and plug it in, just as Sadie Tripp and Douglas Chapman enter.
Only Caleb’s seat remains empty.
The door opens as soon as I think of his name.
“Morning, everyone,” he says. “Sorry, I’m late. London traffic.”
He takes his seat and turns to face me.
I meet the gaze of every member of the board individually, and set my jaw.
“I’d like to thank you all for coming at such short notice.
” I hold my voice steady as I was taught.
“As you are all probably aware, both through the press and my email, the architects we hired, Moorland and Sons, are currently under investigation for bribery and corruption practices. A press release has been sent out detailing the termination of their contract with the FHG.”
Sadie drops back in her chair, her arms folded over her chest.
“So what happens next?” Sadie asks. “You’ve asked us to have a lot of faith in this project, invest a lot of resources, time and money.”
I push my shoulders back and lean in. Sadie and I don’t see eye to eye, and I know she’d like nothing more than to see me fail. Being five years older, she was my father’s protégé before I decided to join the company. Being sidelined has made her more of a foe than a friend.
“Give Kathryn a chance,” Lewis says.
His fatherly nature shines through, but I don’t need him fighting my battles.
“Highcliffe and Partners are available. They were our second choice.”
“But,” she says, her eyes never leaving my face.
I set my jaw, my muscles tightening.
Breathe Kat.
“There will be a delay of six months.”
Conversations erupt around the table.
“May I say something?”
My eyes dart to my brother.
He takes that as his, go.
“I missed updating you this morning,” he says, his eyes telling me to go with whatever bomb he’s about to drop.
I clench my jaw.
Oh no, he wouldn’t!
“Kat and I have spoken to Jaxson Lockwood.”
My stomach hardens, and I bite the inside of my cheek as I work on schooling my features.
What the bloody hell?
I shoot him a look, but he ignores me and continues on, addressing the table.
“We spoke to Jaxson yesterday, but he needed to check his schedule and speak to his New York office.” Caleb’s eyes meet mine. “He got back to me this morning to say he’s been able to move a few things around, and would love to come on board.”
I swallow sharply, almost choking on my saliva.
What the fuck, baby brother?
“Really?” Douglas says excitedly, his eyes flashing back and forth between Caleb and me. “Kat, why on earth didn’t you say anything?”
Doug is always raving about Lockwood’s designs, and has begged me to get him involved in one project or another. At nearly sixty, you’d think he was too old for a boy-crush!
I clench my jaw before turning and smiling.
“As Caleb said, there were no guarantees. When I hadn’t heard anything, I assumed it was a no.”
I shoot my snake of a baby brother a smile, and watch him swallow. His own slipping ever so slightly.
“I was under the impression Mr Lockwood’s company wasn’t available,” Sadie says, shooting me a look of disbelief.
“You’re correct,” I say. “But like with most things, schedules can change.”
I turn to my brother, whose eyes are now sparkling at my comeback.
Hold up, little brother, you’re not getting off that bloody lightly.
“Perfect, perfect,” Lewis says, almost bouncing in his seat. “Looks like fortune favours the Frazers once more. It will be good to have Jaxson Lockwood onboard, I’m sure the investors will be happy too, and I know Robert would have been thrilled.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes, but watch as several other board members are not so subtle.
“Is he willing to come in and speak to us?” Douglas asks. “Discuss his ideas for the project?”
I turn to Caleb and raise an eyebrow.
Your moment of truth, little bro.
Caleb grins at me, and I square my shoulders.
“When would you like him?” he says, not breaking his stride.
What on earth? Jaxson is really on board with this?
More conversation erupts, and I stand, chin up, watching on. Eventually, when a date has been set, I close the meeting and watch everyone file out.
“Caleb, a word,” I say, as my brother slopes off, deep in conversation with Lewis.
He comes upright as if I’ve grabbed him by the collar. A common occurrence when we were younger and he’d steal my toys.
He turns on his heel, offering me his brightest, kilowatt smile.
I fold my arms over my chest and raise an eyebrow.
I wait until the last person has left.
“My office. Now.”