Chapter 52
Chapter Fifty-Two
CHARLOTTE
Isank into the chair beside Gabriel, slipping my fingers through his, needing the anchor. Whatever Gerard wanted to discuss, I wanted him with me. His steadiness grounded me, especially with my mind spinning over what to do about my job.
Gerard leaned forward. His drink was balanced loosely in one hand, but there was nothing casual about the intensity in his gaze.
“Charlotte,” he began, “I’d like to offer you a position at Chambers Technology as my chief operations officer.
Gabriel made it clear I’d be a fool not to hire someone as capable as you. ”
For a moment, I could only stare at him, words refusing to form.
“I understand if you need time to think about it,” he went on, his voice steady but kind. “Time to wrap things up with Arrow. Time to breathe. But I want you to know the offer is on the table.”
When I finally found my voice, it came out quiet but firm. “That position should go to Gabriel. He’s the one who should succeed you.”
Gabriel shook his head before his father could answer. “No. You and my father lead with empathy while balancing rigor. You both see people no matter their title and make them want to give their best. There’s no one better suited for that seat than you.”
Gerard continued. “I recognize it’s not the CEO title you fought for, but one day I’ll retire, and though I won’t make promises, I can see us working well together.”
I turned to Gabriel, and the quiet confidence in his expression hit me hard. He believed in me completely, and I was being seen for my value, really seen, for the first time in months.
I drew in a steady breath and faced Gerard again. “I’m honored, but I have a few conditions before I could say yes.”
A low chuckle rumbled from him. “I’d be disappointed if you didn’t. Let’s hear them.”
“There are several people at Arrow I want to bring with me. This includes my assistant, Olivia, our senior manager in operations, Rhys who was with Gabriel at Juniper, and George, the maintenance man, if he decides to come back to work. And there are a few others from my leadership team I’d like to bring in if they choose to leave Arrow. I could forward you their résumés.”
Gerard didn’t hesitate. “If you trust them, then absolutely, we’ll find the right roles for them even if we don’t have equivalents available. And if all goes according to plan, I imagine more than a few clients will follow.”
I nodded, smiling faintly. “One more thing. You don’t currently have a CFO, do you?”
His brows pinched. “No. My business partner retired a few months back, and I haven’t filled the role.”
“Good. My other condition is you make Gabriel your new CFO. He’s sharp with numbers and even sharper with strategy. Having us as a team will grow your business like you’ve never seen before.”
Gerard’s brows lifted, a slow grin spreading across his face. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Gabriel appeared caught off guard. “I didn’t expect that. Dad, do you mind giving us a few minutes?”
Gerard smiled knowingly. “Of course not. Take your time. And if anyone needs me, I’ll be inside with the garlic bread.”
The second the door closed behind him, Gabriel turned to me. “I see what you’re trying to do, but this is—”
“You don’t think we’d make a great team?” I interrupted, keeping my tone calm but steady.
He sighed. “Of course I do. That was one of my regrets about competing for the same job at Arrow. I hated the idea of us not working together again.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
He hesitated, dragging a hand through his hair. “I can work with my father now. I think we’ve finally reached that place. But what happens when he retires, and the CEO position opens up?”
A soft smile curved my lips. “That’s just it.
The CEO title doesn’t define success for me any longer.
” I took a breath, feeling the truth of it settle in my chest. “For so long, I thought being at the top was the finish line. Hoping if I could get there, I’d finally prove my worth.
But somewhere along the way, I realized I don’t need a title to validate what I’ve built or who I am.
I’ve already won in the ways that matter.
But this—” I gestured between us. “This is about trust. You’ve been asking for it since the beginning, and I want you to know you have it.
I trust you, Gabriel. Enough to work for your father at your family’s company, with you at my side.
Enough to know that even if he takes your side in professional decisions over mine, we’ll still be okay. ”
I would be na?ve to deny I was taking a risk in accepting a job where the roots of Gabriel’s relationship with his father already ran deep. But I was weirdly content to take that risk knowing no matter what got thrown at me, I could handle it.
He huffed out a small laugh, the tension easing from his shoulders. “My father’s much more likely to take your side.”
“Even better,” I retorted, grinning back. Then, my voice softened. “But be honest, tell me you don’t want this. Tell me you don’t want to be Chambers Tech’s CFO, working alongside me and your dad. If it’s not what you want, I won’t continue trying to convince you otherwise.”
He was quiet for a long moment, studying me, the air between us shifting with something unspoken but certain.
“But if I know you, one of your biggest regrets was leaving the job at your dad’s company. Maybe it wasn’t the right time until now.”
He leaned in, his voice low and rough with emotion. “You’re right. It wasn’t. And I know you might not be ready to hear this again, and I promised myself I’d be patient.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Patience will never be your strong suit.” Before he could respond, I cut him off gently. “I love you, too.”
The breath he drew in was sharp and unguarded, his expression softening into something that stole mine in return.
“Fuck.” He glanced toward the house. “When all this settles, and before we start any new jobs, promise me we’ll go somewhere. Just the two of us. Somewhere without cell service. Or family. Or board meetings.”
“Easiest promise I’ll ever make,” I responded, laughing softly.
“Will you give notice tomorrow?”
Moving on quietly would have been simple. I’d pack up my things, hand in a letter, and walk away. But the owners’ misogyny bothered me too much, and I couldn’t swallow letting their version of the story stand.
“Not exactly. I have a plan. But I think it’s best to consult my sister first to find out the legalities before I accidentally commit a felony.”
His slow grin spread, and his eyes gleamed. “Then we should probably bring Leo in, too. And the rest of the family. If you’re willing to accept the help?”
I followed his gaze toward the house where his brothers, my sister, and my mother were blatantly pressed to the window watching us.
“As if I could exclude them.”
The owners and Julian thought I’d roll over. But they didn’t know what was about to hit them.