Chapter 71
M uting the conference phone, I look over at Declan. The governor’s push for an unrealized gains tax and changes to crypto investing disclosures and financial reporting is a clear threat. “Who the fuck does he think he’s talking to right now?” I rhetorically ask.
Forcefully unmuting the call, I tightly say, “I didn’t give you twenty million dollars to fuck me.” Smashing the end call button, I shake my head, processing this unexpected pivot in his plans. It was harsh, but the situation called for unequivocal clarity.
“This cannot be happening,” I huff. These changes could significantly impact our operations. “Do you know what this means?”
“My summer meetings were more than speculatory,” Declan responds, correctly—confirming my worst fears.
“Exactly. We have to find a new governor.”
I look at Declan, my mind racing with strategies and contingencies. Declan leans forward. “Who’s your favorite?”
I pause, considering my options. “Your neighbor on Geneva Lake.” My thoughts turn to the political landscapes, the chess game of influence and power.
Declan cynically laughs. “Handling things in the business world can be so tedious.”
I can’t help but share in the laughter, albeit bitterly. “Twenty million fucking dollars down the drain. I could kill him myself.”
Tapping Greg’s number on my phone, I put him on speaker when he answers. “New project for you: divest all the governor’s interests from our firm, blackball him from future opportunities, and tell all our strategic partners that he’s on our shit list. Watch him come crawling back to us.”
“Ruthless. Glad to have you back,” Greg booms. “I’ll have this done within the month.”
“Harsh?” Declan asks.
“No.” The decision is final, a necessary move in the game we’re playing. We both lean back in our chairs, lost in our thoughts.
“What’s the status on Real-ity?” Declan asks. We haven’t talked about this new deal since Summit.
“No progress. He’s out of his mind.” I huff at how nothing is going to plan. “What do you know about Gideon Stone?”
“Impressive. Formidable.”
“I’m learning. He thinks we should pay three hundred million dollars for forty-nine percent.”
“What was the original idea? Two hundred? Two hundred and fifty tops?” Declan asks.
“Plus majority ownership.”
He nods, then asks, “Everything else good?”
“Outside of the office, very good. Dani will be moving back to Chicago soon.” I smile, feeling lighter, thinking about her.
“You’re still together,” he says under his breath, surprised.
I can’t help but react emotionally, fired up from the call and now this. “At the end of the year, I’m deducting the Shirts loss from your profit sharing.”
He squints a little. Three million dollars would be a bad night at the casino for Declan. It’s an insignificant amount to him.
“Putting that shit stain on the annual report will only rile up investors. It’s a bad look for us in a lot of ways … We don’t need anyone reading into it further,” I state, and he would be wise to agree. “Stupid name, stupid company.” I huff, annoyed about how fucked such a small deal was.
Maybe we shouldn’t do deals under ten million dollars anymore?
I’m not personally involved in deals under ten …
This wouldn’t have happened if I was involved.
We never would have invested if I was involved.
Dani is worth it though. It’s not like my ex didn’t spend three million on stupid shit all the time.
“Nice way to talk about your girlfriend,” Declan challenges, bringing me back to the present.
“Pining over my girlfriend is also getting pretty fucking pathetic.”
He raises his eyebrows. “Being with someone nearly twenty years younger than you …” He trails off, leaving the conference room without finishing his sentence.
“Fucker!” I mutter, left standing there alone in the conference room, angry and frustrated.
The charity gala tonight, which I had no intention of attending initially, has now become a necessary appearance. I type quickly, texting Dani.
Adam Harris
I know it’s last minute. Join me at an event tonight? I have to attend.
Dani Sommer
Let me check my calendar …
I chuckle, knowing she has no plans other than swimming in my pool. Her playfulness easing the stress of today.
Dani Sommer
I’m available. How dressy is it?
Her text reminds me of the formality of the event.
Adam Harris
Black tie. Nikola is all over it.
I tap Nikola’s contact on my phone. “Emergency,” I say as she answers. “Get Dani black-tie options and meet her at the house with your glam team. She needs to be ready by five thirty. Also, drop off a tuxedo for me at the office. I’ll be meeting her at the event.”
“Done. Done and done.” Nikola’s concise response is the exact convenience I pay for. Hanging up, I consider if Allison were ever to leave, Nikola would be a strong candidate for my next assistant. It’s a relief to know that one aspect of my day is going smoothly.
As I put my phone away, my mind shifts to the evening ahead. I despise the pretense of charity theater, but tonight, it serves a purpose. It’s an opportunity to remind the governor who he’s dealing with and to have an off-the-record conversation with someone who might be my next political pony.