Chapter 1 Fallon
Fallon
“Good morning. I’m Florence Asher and this is AXH News.
The mysterious vigilante group known as Cerberus has once again rocked Axton Harbor to its core, releasing a new video of several high-profile figures and evidence of extensive criminal activity.
In a shocking turn of events, Councilman Bart Rogers was included and has been arrested.
Cerberus claims to be taking matters into their own hands when it comes to seeking justice, promising more revelations in the coming days. ”
“Large iced coffee for Fallon,” the barista calls, pulling my attention from the news clip I’m watching on my phone.
My notifications have been going off all morning, waking me at the crack of dawn and robbing me of valuable sleep.
I’m going to need more caffeine than usual if I have any hope of making it through the day.
Snatching my drink, I slip out into the crisp morning air, quickly scrolling through my emails to figure out which fire I’ll need to tackle first when I get to work.
I had my assistant schedule an emergency all-hands meeting with my team.
I haven’t had a chance to watch the entire video they released this morning, but all I needed to see is one name listed in the headlines to know this news will not be good for business if I don’t act quickly.
As if sensing my rising anxiety, a text pops up on the screen from my best friend.
Quinn: Councilman Rogers???
I take a sip of my coffee before answering.
Me: Don’t even get me started. I warned everyone that he was not someone we needed to get into bed with. But does my dad ever listen to me? No.
Quinn: I’m sure Daddy Helix is livid.
Understatement. Nothing pisses off Sebastian Helix more than idiocy and people tampering with his company. Councilman Bart Rogers accomplished both in one fell swoop. Which means it’s my job to mitigate potential damage to Helix Enterprises before shit hits the fan.
Me: I’m handling it. Lunch later?
Quinn: Duh. Go kick some PR ass.
Kick ass is exactly what I do. As soon as my heels hit the lobby of Helix Enterprises, I’m a take-no-shit crisis management machine.
My team gathers in the conference room where we go over all available information about the allegations against Councilman Rogers.
Honestly, with the long list of accusations, he’s lucky he didn’t end up mutilated and murdered like the last Chief of Police.
Blackmail, obstruction of justice, extortion, bribery and trafficking.
Bart Rogers dabbled in it all and Cerberus delivered the proof, which only makes what I need to do easier.
There’s no way in hell Helix Enterprises is going to be connected to something as horrific as human trafficking.
“Due to these allegations, Helix Enterprises has immediately severed all ties with potential investor Bart Rogers and our associated ventures. We are committed to conducting our business with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Etcetera, Etcetera.” I cap the lid on my pen and push to my feet.
“Turner, draft the official statement and press key messages and send it all over to me for approval.
Good work everyone. Let's reconvene at two.”
I make a beeline to my office, ready to grind down on the less pressing issues waiting for me.
“Miss Helix,” someone calls before I reach my office door. I turn to see Ganon, our office temp, hurrying toward me with a stack of papers. “I have the quotes from Mayor Wise you asked for.”
About time. I requested those last week.
He hands them over, pushing his glasses up his nose as he waits for my approval. He’s a scrawny, quiet guy–always polite, but honestly not cut out for this job. Still, I don’t have the heart to fire him.
“Thanks, Ganon.” I smile and head back to my office.
I sit down to review the quotes from Mayor Wise.
It’s no surprise that she and my father are teaming up for a major Axton Harbor city initiative to modernize the port infrastructure.
This project promises to create more jobs, benefiting Helix Enterprises’s imports and exports while also providing a boost to the mayor’s re-election campaign.
It’s hard to focus on the words in front of me as snippets of conversation drift through my office door. Everyone is buzzing about Cerberus’s latest video, and despite my best efforts, the constant chatter keeps pulling my attention away.
“It’s kind of admirable if you think about it,” my assistant, Cami, says as she places a fresh coffee on my desk.
“You’re a godsend,” I tell her, cradling the warm mug in my hands. “And what’s admirable?”
“Cerberus.” She sighs wistfully. “How they’re opening our eyes to the injustices going on in our city.”
A smirk pulls at my lips. I have to agree with her.
There is something incredibly appealing about fighting corruption and peeling back the curtain to expose the truth.
I’d be lying if I said a part of me doesn’t envy them.
Even though they hide behind a camera, warping their voices so nobody can identify who they are, Cerberus gets shit done.
They take down corrupt community leaders to make Axton Harbor a safer place–despite their questionable methods.
And what am I doing? Still working at Helix Enterprises for my father when I’d rather be anywhere else, doing anything else. I’ve had my letter of resignation tucked away in my purse for over three months now, but haven’t had the nerve to hand it over yet. Not without finishing what I started…
Soon, I remind myself.
“By the way,” Cami says, jerking me out of my thoughts. “Shannon just called and said Mr. Helix wants to see you in fifteen.”
My head snaps up. “I’m not supposed to meet with him until noon.” I don’t have the official statement ready yet, and he knows it.
She shrugs and heads for the door. “That’s what I told her, but Mr. Helix insisted.”
Of course he did.
Because of my twenty-eight years of experience dealing with the man, I pack up my things and head for his office immediately. Fifteen is Sebastian Helix for right fucking now.
Unfortunately, I come face-to-face with the Chief Operations Officer instead of my dad’s assistant when I reach his office area.
“Good morning, gorgeous.” Clay Ensling’s lazy grin greets me as he leans against Shannon’s empty desk outside my dad’s office. “You’re looking good enough to eat today.”
He doesn’t bother hiding how he scans my body from tit to toe. I suppress my full-body shudder. With his blonde hair and chiseled features, it’s easy to see why some women go for a guy like him. But I’ve never cared to linger too long in his presence.
“Is he in?” I ask, ignoring his blatant attempt at flirting.
He smiles tightly, flashing perfectly straight teeth. “Of course, go right in.”
I’m pushing the door open before Clay finishes his sentence.
Sunlight streams in through the wall of windows lining my dad’s office on two sides, giving him as close to a panoramic view of Axton Harbor as one could get.
It’s only ever the best for Helix’s CEO.
Best office. Best car. Best house. I’d say best daughter, but who am I kidding?
I’m lucky if I get a passing nod from the man, let alone his approval or–gasp–his love.
My father is sitting behind his glass-topped desk in the middle of the room, typing on his computer when I quietly ease into one of the leather chairs across from him.
I wait. And wait. I cross my legs, and then uncross them. Check my phone and then place it back in my lap when I see Turner has sent me the official statement already.
“Am I keeping you?” Dad inquires without taking his eyes off the computer screen.
“Not at all.” He’s totally keeping me, but I’d learned long ago the best way to get what I want with this man is to let him play his power games without a fuss.
After another moment of mind-numbing silence, he clicks off the screen and spins his chair to face me fully. “Is your team ready?”
“Yes. Just emailed the press release to you.” He opens his mouth, but I cut in. “Along with all images for social media posts and a quote from you and the investors fully supporting this clean break from the Councilman. We need your approval and it’s ready for the press.”
His eyes narrow. “That wasn’t what I meant, Fallon.”
“Oh.” I clear my throat. “Sorry. What can I help with?”
He pushes a stack of papers across the desk. “You have a new assignment. These are the new terms I’ve drafted with Councilman Yeatts. I need you to take this to your team and have them mark up anything that may be an issue. Clean it up and get it back to me by the end of the day.”
I blink back my surprise and drag the file into my lap. “I wasn’t aware there was a Councilman Yeatts.”
“There will be,” he says simply, like he’s an all-knowing being. He turns his attention back to his computer screen.
I scoot forward in my seat, feeling uneasy. If my father is confident enough to draft up a deal with a not-yet-elected Councilman… that can’t mean anything good.
“Dad, I don’t believe this is a wise move. After what happened with Councilman Rogers, I suggest that you–”
“I’m sorry, do you think you have a say in this matter?
” he interrupts, his voice raising slightly, but not enough to draw attention from anyone outside this room.
“Do you think you know what our shareholders desire more than me, the man who sat down with the entire board this morning just to draft this up?” He tips his head at the file.
“The original deal with Rogers is gone, but that doesn’t mean that we should abandon the opportunities out there.
Or should I call the board and have them turn their limos and planes around, then have them carry their asses back up to my office because you suggest it is unwise to strike a new deal with an unrelated Councilman?
Tell me, Fallon. Is that what you think I should do? ”