Chapter 9
Cici
“So? What happened?” I walk into Uncle Luke’s office without even knocking. I know he won't mind one bit. After all, he’s used to dealing with Dad and his lack of boundaries.
“Oh, please, come in! We weren’t busy at all.” Uncle Parker rolls his eyes.
I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling at his response. Where Uncle Luke just accepted he couldn’t change Dad, it drove Uncle Parker up a wall. He gets so irritated when I do something and it reminds him of Dad.
“Perfect. I wouldn’t want to interrupt.” This time I don’t bother hiding my smirk.
While Uncle Parker’s scowl deepens, Uncle Luke chuckles and shakes his head.
“What do you want to know?” Uncle Parker grumbles under his breath.
“Uncle Luke was going to talk to Josh. I want to know what was said so I know what to expect from here on out.” I keep my head held high and my shoulders back.
On the inside I'm a mess. I don’t want to deal with Josh anymore and I know getting another person involved is only going to make Josh retaliate even more against me.
“Yeah… I didn’t talk to him,” Uncle Luke murmurs, turning his attention to Uncle Parker.
“What’d you do?” I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose.
I swear these two are going to be the death of me.
They love to go behind my back and handle things the way they want to.
It’s not bad, it’s just I don’t want to be treated like a little girl who can’t handle reality.
I’m fine with them taking care of things in whatever manner they wish, but I need to know what’s happening too.
“I had a little talk with Josh,” Parker mumbles, barely pulling his attention away from whatever report he’s reading over.
“And?” I push a little harder, more than annoyed he’s not really paying attention to me.
“He’s my responsibility now. You don’t need to worry about him.”
“What does that even mean?” I throw my hands up in the air and let them fall noisily back to my sides. This finally gets his attention off of the papers and on to me.
“It means I handled it. I put the idiot in his place and made it clear if he even glances in your direction again, he’ll regret it.
I explained exactly what I’d do to him if he thought about talking to you or touching you.
All things that I don’t think would be appropriate to say in front of my niece.
” He raises a brow in my direction, making it clear he won't be elaborating. “Now, he’ll be reporting to me and having weekly meetings with me. He understands if he screws around with me, he’ll find out exactly what I'm capable of. Magically the correct reports were emailed to me within two minutes of me leaving his office.”
“Are you serious?” I whisper. I can’t believe how quickly Josh rolled over and obeyed Uncle Parker.
“You aren’t mean enough,” Uncle Parker growls.
“I told you, sweetheart, there’s a difference between love and respect.
You need to make them respect you first, and sometimes that means putting a little fear in them.
” Uncle Luke watches me carefully. He’s looking for any sort of emotions playing out in my features, but he won't find any. Dad taught me how to hide them.
“Nobody needs their employees to love them.” Uncle Parker rolls his eyes.
“Spoken like a true bosshole,” I say emotionlessly.
“I know you’re good at channeling your inner Owen Powell,” Uncle Parker says softly.
“Channel the inner bosshole side of him. It will make your life so much easier. I don’t want to see people take advantage of you.
Once Luke and I retire, you’ll be the head of the company.
Things were easy when it was three men leading the company.
Even when Avery joined us it was fine. I'm afraid of what it will look like if you aren’t feared and respected once Joey, Mia, and Lachlan join you.
I don’t want Lachlan to turn into a miserable beast to protect the rest of you.
Being a woman doesn’t make you weak, Cici, but some people will try to take advantage of that.
I need you to be a role model for Mia and Joey.
Show them what it means to be a strong woman who can run a multibillion-dollar company without taking crap from anyone. ”
“What if I can’t do it?” I whisper as I drop my gaze to my feet. Some days I feel like I'm the worst person for this position.
I’d be comfortable running a department or being lead on something, but running the entire company? That’s a lot of pressure and something I'm not sure I'm capable of.
“You were born to do it. You just have to stop the idiots from making you doubt yourself and your abilities. You’re a Powell. It’s in your blood to run Scott, Powell, and Coleman.” Uncle Luke stands and pulls me into his arms.
“I have Scott blood.” I roll my eyes.
“Which should make being a ruthless bosshole even easier for you.” Uncle Parker takes me out of Uncle Luke’s arms and wraps his own around me.
“We’re always here for you, sweetheart. We won't retire until you’re ready.
But try to be ready in the next like ten years. I'm getting too old for this crap.”
After we talk about a few other things, I head back to my office and continue working. I need to keep my attention on what is important. I need to do my job and make sure I'm respected the way I deserve.
My phone pings and draws my attention away from my computer. I glance at the screen and a slow smile spreads across my face.
Covey: I had a great time last night.
Cici: Me too. You make a good pillow.
Covey: I'm always willing to offer up my pillow services.
I frown down at my phone. How many other women does he let fall asleep in his arms like I did last night?
Cici: Wow, women must love that.
Covey: I wouldn’t know. You’re the only woman who’s ever used my chest as a pillow. Well, and Tali.
Cici: Somehow, I think she’ll win if we compete for your attention.
Covey: I wouldn’t be so sure of that. She’s not the one I can’t get out of my head.