Chapter 5 #2
“Thank you,” I say simply and confidently, while my mind is all over the place.
Distracted by the memory of Romeo.
Exhausted from the lack of sleep.
Frayed at the edges while waiting to find out where Corm’s praise leads.
“It’s us who would like to thank you. And we decided to give you a one-time bonus. Five percent stake in this company.” He gives me one of his rare smiles.
His words line up like domino pieces in my head, building a victory tower. I’m about to be a partner at Merged. I’m getting a seat at the table.
Before the elation settles, the pieces immediately tumble down. Why only five percent?
Luckily I’m present enough not to voice the question, because it would come out as a sulky complaint.
I might be desperate, but I know better than to whine or attack. This is not the time for that.
“Thank you. I really appreciate that.” I give him a nod and a smile that isn’t completely fake.
I’m grateful. I never expected them to reward me like this. I was prepared to negotiate a payment plan to buy the stake. The full twenty percent stake. And that’s why this is bittersweet.
For fuck’s sake, can’t I just get one win? Because while I’m happy and proud that this one comes on merit, it also feels like a consolation prize.
“But?” Of course, Corm picks up on my conflicting mood.
“I would like to buy the other fifteen percent.” I don’t waver; I hold his gaze, lifting my chin.
The jerk of his eyebrows is subtle. Really? I told him I wanted to buy in months ago, so why is he surprised?
“You can afford them?”
I open my mouth, ready to list the reasons why he should let me in, but his question throws me off.
I blink. He frowns, and suddenly looks like a concerned older brother, not my boss or future business partner.
His question was the last thing on my negotiation list. After I’d made my point and they’d agreed that I’m the best option for partnership. Not this early on.
“Yes,” I lie. I will figure out where to get the money later.
If he’s surprised this time, he doesn’t show it. He studies me for a moment and I hold my posture, even though I’m ready to fold. That is something I allow myself only in the privacy of my own home.
“I see. Okay. While you’re an invaluable asset, you lack the experience.”
I open my mouth to offer carefully crafted counterpoints I prepared over the past few weeks, but he shuts me up with his signature scowl.
“Roxy, Liam Stone is here because he’s interested in buying in.”
Of course he is. The defeat takes root, churning my stomach, and suddenly, the fatigue wins. What was I thinking? I stand up. “I’ll show him the office.”
“Not so fast. Sit down.” Corm gestures to the chair, and I obey. “None of us knows Liam, so we offered him a three-month contract to prove himself. I’m happy to extend that opportunity to you as well.”
I frown. “You want us to compete for the partnership?”
Corm smirks, nodding. “If you decide to make it a competition, that’s fine by me.”
I think about all the business experience Liam already has as one of the Stones, and how unfair this is because I have none of that. But a lack of fairness has never stopped me. In fact, it’s been my driving force.
“How will you evaluate this?” I fold my arms, challenging him. “By the profit we bring in?”
He shrugs. “Sure. But more important than that would be client satisfaction and just a general ability to fit in. There you already have an advantage. We know you fit.”
We know you fit.
I stand with renewed determination. “Thank you. I will get Cal to brief me tomorrow.”
He gives me a curt nod. “Haven’t you forgotten something?”
Fucking Pascal. Such an oversight to offer that upfront. Stupid vodka soda. His number was my leverage. “Have I?”
“Roxy, you blackmailed me into this meeting, but let’s not forget I can still fire you.”
This is not the first time Corm has threatened my job here. It worked the first few times, but by now, we both know it’s an empty threat.
I flip my tablet case open and send him the number. And before I leave his office, I vow it will also be the last time he threatens me.
When I’m a partner, he won’t dare.
For some reason that feels like a victory, and I smile before I face the man who can take it all away from me.
Liam waits for me outside the office with a bored expression. My phone buzzes, and when I see the number, I raise my finger.
“I have to take this. Just give me a moment.”
I leave him behind and dash into a small boardroom beside Corm’s office.
I hit my headset to connect the call. “Tee, is everything okay?” I walk toward the window.
“Yes, I just…” My sister hiccups.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” The anxiety shoots through me.
“I just wanted to hear you.” She sniffles.
I can almost see her in her too-pink room, perched on her bed with her legs up on the wall. Sad and alone in the golden cage of our father’s house.
“Did something happen?”
“I asked Papa if I could visit you.”
I close my eyes, leaning my head against the cold glass. It doesn’t freeze the need to call my father and give him a piece of my mind.
Not that it would serve me or Tee.
“He said no.” I don’t even know why I voice it.
“Can you maybe come visit soon?”
Her plea almost breaks my heart. “Tee, I don’t think it’s a good idea, but I will talk to Nico, and he will bring you along on one of his business trips.”
Of our brothers, Nico is the most reasonable one. I think.
“Okay. I didn’t mean to worry you. I just… I feel so alone sometimes.” Her heavy sigh echoes in my head with its desperation and cry for help. Fuck.
I wish she were eighteen already and could leave. But I know if she came to live with me now, our father would call the police.
“Tee, I promise that soon enough, you’ll be able to stay with me. Your birthday is coming up, and I will be able to take care of both of us. Even pay for your college. You just need to hang in there for a few more months.”
I can’t lose this partnership. I can’t afford a mistake. Tee deserves a normal life.
One I got a taste of, and I’m not returning to do my father’s bidding. But I would return if it meant saving Tee.
Let’s hope that scenario is just hypothetical. As soon as I’m a partner here, we’re both free.
“Promise?” The hope in her voice is just as heartbreaking as her desperation before.
“I promise. You stay away from Papa as much as possible. And call me if you need anything, okay?”
“Yes, thank you. And please talk to Nico so I can come visit.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I take a few more breaths before I step out with a smile, like I’ve done so many times before.
My personal life can’t interfere with my professional life.
Deep in my thoughts, I almost bump into someone… the someone who’s making my life more difficult at the moment.
Liam rakes his gaze over me with mild disdain, his face contorted like he just chewed on a lemon.
I groan. “Follow me.” I jerk my head in the general direction of Xander’s former office.
“Hating me already,” he says dryly, dragging his feet.
I don’t slow down, marching around the cubicles like my soles are on fire.
“I don’t care about you enough to hate you,” I say over my shoulder. “I hate the situation we’re in.” I open the door to his for-now office, reminding myself it will be mine soon.
“We can pretend we don’t know each other.” He leans against the door frame, one hand in his pocket, a picture of nonchalance.
Unfortunately, a very attractive picture. He steps aside so I can pass, but the space he gives me is narrow. Deliberate.
As I walk by, my arm brushes his torso. My pulse jumps like an idiot.
I’ve worked with a man who is an identical copy of Liam for two years, so why does the sight of this version elicit all sorts of reactions?
Stupid goose bumps.
Warmth swirling in my core.
The need to lick my lips.
No. Absolutely not. My body does not get to be impressed by this man.
“We don’t have to pretend. We don’t know each other.”
He cocks his head and studies me. I don’t know what he is thinking, but his jaw tightens.
He shakes his head and marches past me into the office. “This will do. Before you go, please get me some coffee.”
I flip him off. “Listen to me, asshole, we might be competing for the same thing, but don’t forget people here know me. They value me. If you don’t want to be left without a team to help you, and believe me, I won’t hesitate to reassign everyone, you better play nice.”
A whisper of a smile ghosts his face before he rearranges his features. “I wasn’t aware we’re competing.”
I give him my best fake smile. “Already out of the loop.” I tap my lips. “I guess getting that fifteen percent is going to be very easy. I’ll send IT to hook you up, but don’t make yourself at home. This office isn’t yours yet.”
Or ever.
I turn and pull the door shut. Behind it, I hear his voice—low, almost thoughtful: “We’ll see.”
It shouldn’t rattle me.
But it does.