Chapter 7
Thomas is already waiting for me in my office, and I have to hold back a sigh. There’s something about this man that gets on my nerves. The day he steps down will be a good day. I just hope his son is less annoying.
“What do you have to tell me that’s so secret my wife couldn’t be part of it?” I snap as I take a seat behind my desk.
Thomas cringes away from my harsh tone. I can practically smell his fear.
“I’ve had someone look into those irregularities, as per your request.” Thomas produces a folder from his briefcase and hands it to me while seating himself. “Though they’ve been very careful in covering their tracks, we have confirmation of the listed files having been copied.”
I take the folder from him and lean back in my chair, placing an ankle on my knee while flipping it open. The first page lists all the copied files, followed by summaries of each one. I would mention he has been thorough, if not for the fact he just said he had someone else do the work.
“We have cross-referenced every file with the terminated sales. Most of those files have duplicates, just as we suspected. The same goes for the destroyed shipments.”
The files in question detail the real estate the company has been planning to buy. The larger part of the sales falling through did so because of outside interference. The fact the files have been copied confirms it was, at least in part, an inside job.
Another page outlines how this happened.
A disturbing number of cancellations occurred after both the seller and my representative were murdered on the day of the sale.
In the illegal cases where payment was to be made in cash, the money disappeared.
Even after I placed a tracking spell on every single bill, someone still managed to wipe it clean, which is impressive, I have to admit.
It would be one thing if someone else made a better offer and I simply got outbid. It’s what happened in a few cases, but most ended in far less savory ways. This isn’t about competition; it’s about targeting my people and my company.
“Any patterns as to which sales they seem to prefer? Anything standing out, perhaps by price or location?”
“So far, no. I’m afraid it’s all quite random.”
If there’s one thing I’m certain of, it’s that this isn’t random. If the family had anything to do with it, they would be able to make it look however they wanted. They could also be feeding me false information.
I snap the folder shut and return my full attention to Thomas. “Make sure a pattern is found. In the meantime, add extra security to all ongoing transactions. I don’t want anyone going out there alone, no matter who or what they are.”
“Understood.”
“And have security figure something out for these files. No one should have access to them unless they are working on the sale or have my explicit permission. I don’t care who or what they are.
Anyone who touches them, paper or digital, I want to know about it—even if it’s you.
” I lock eyes with him, and he swallows nervously.
“And I would like to know who compiled this file,” I add, nodding to the folder Thomas is putting away.
“Creiddyla, sir.”
Looks like I’m not the only one who has noticed she has more potential than being a receptionist.
“Have HR look into a better, more challenging position for her.”
“Sir—”
I cut Thomas off before he could finish the sentence, which I’m sure will be offensive to the flesh-eater. “If you’re having her do this kind of work, then she’s clearly capable of much more than what we’re having her do now. So make it happen.”
With a reluctant nod, Thomas takes his briefcase back and starts to rise.
“Thomas.” He stops halfway, dread clear in his eyes. “Get William to take it up with HR.” I need to start cutting Thomas out as soon as possible. I might as well start right now.
“And have him up to speed with everything else as soon as possible. I want you and Isabella retired before the end of the year.”
His jaw twitches, a clear sign of disapproval. Despite everything, Thomas isn’t very proficient at hiding his anger. Perhaps that’s a family trait.
“My apologies for asking, but why the rush?”
“I don’t need to explain myself to you, Thomas.
Make it happen, and I’ll guarantee you and your wife the kind of retirement you could only dream of.
” Thomas opens his mouth to protest, but I don’t give him the chance.
“Do I need to remind you of the consequences if you decide to make this more difficult than it needs to be?”
His mouth snaps shut, and he simply nods.
I gesture for him to leave, and he scurries away, almost tripping over his own feet.
Hearing the elevator doors close, I sag slightly in my seat, releasing a sigh. Even though I highly doubt it will be easy, I need to sort this whole ordeal out. I need a thorough review of every single one of my employees and some much-needed in-house cleanup.
Every single person working for me, whether in legitimate or less legitimate parts, will need to prove they’re worth keeping aboard. It’s necessary, but I dread this tedious task.
Looking down at my phone, I see I need to leave for my meeting with the earth witches.
They’ve practically been begging for an out for decades.
At first, I thought assigning Alix as their liaison would help, but it seems to have made matters worse.
I’ve been dreading finding out why. The only reason I’m now willing to take them up on their request is so Elly can take over for them.
A smile plays on my lips as I wonder what it will be like as I head to the separate room with the transportation circle.
Once I step out on the other side, I find myself in the coven house’s living room.
Awaiting me there is Phoebe, a young woman with chestnut-colored skin, long braided umber hair, and forest green eyes.
She wears a simple, long black dress, and her bare arms are adorned with black vine tattoos running from her neck down to her fingers.
“Phoebe.” I nod at her while stepping out of the circle. “I was under the impression Loxley would be with you today.”
Phoebe simply nods back at me. “Apologies, sir, but Loxley was called away. She has given me full authority to discuss our separation with you. I have no doubt we can reach a mutually beneficial agreement.”
She guides me to the kitchen and gestures for me to take a seat at the table. Phoebe looks me over for a moment before preparing a pot of tea.
“Before we start,” I say as she pours me a cup of their trademark herbal tea, “what seems to be the problem with Alix? Given his history, I assumed he would be a suitable match as your liaison. Nevertheless, I’ve received quite a few complaints.”
Phoebe remains silent, the teapot still in hand as she averts her gaze. Is she blushing?
“Don’t worry, it won’t affect anything. I’m simply curious.”
She nods once more and pours herself a cup, after which she gently places the pot on the table and sits across from me. “Alix, even though he’s charming,” Phoebe says, looking at me from under her lashes, “has proven to be slightly… too charming.”
I groan, already knowing where this is going. “Please tell me he didn’t get anyone pregnant.”
“Oh no, goddess, no.” A relieved breath escapes me. “And please, sir, don’t misunderstand. We have no qualms with the pleasures of the flesh. Not at all. We don’t mind indulging him and his wife, either. In that regard, it’s been… fun to have him around.” She blushes even harder than before.
For fuck’s sake, he has bedded the whole coven. I just know it.
“It’s just that, in the last few years, it’s been getting a bit too much. Especially for the younger generation, who need to learn we won’t be able to keep the coven running if we don’t find some human males. Which seems impossible with him around.”
“I can imagine,” I grumble, deciding I need to have a word with Alix about mixing business and pleasure. Again. “Then why does the coven want out?”
Phoebe sips her tea, carefully considering her next words.
“As you are undoubtedly aware, our numbers have been dwindling for the last century or so, partially because of mankind’s industrialization.
This has made it significantly more difficult to draw power from the earth.
We can’t live without it, as it encompasses every aspect of our lives.
In recent years, we’ve concluded that this has also affected our birthrates.
” Phoebe takes another sip of her tea before continuing.
“After reaching out to other covens, they seem to be experiencing the same problems. Because of this, we and a few others have decided we need to take a step back. We need to reconnect with nature—start over, so to say. If we don’t, we fear there will be no one left to carry on our legacy.”
I had heard rumors about this, and it’s slightly alarming to hear it from an earth witch herself; they’re slowly losing the connection with their element.
It’s widely believed that nature grants them their magic, but Alix once confided in me that there’s more to it.
Though he wouldn’t indulge me, no matter what I offered him, it is and always will be their greatest secret.
“I understand,” I say, and Phoebe relaxes, a weight lifting from her shoulders. “You were worried that I wouldn’t?”
She hesitates for a moment. “We have always ensured we respected our part of the contract, enjoying the privileges and protection it offered us. Even though it has been mutually beneficial for many generations, given recent events, we’ve found no other way than to humbly ask you for the possibility of peacefully parting ways,” she tells me.
“Can I be blunt?” Phoebe adds after a few seconds of silence. I nod. “We were afraid you wouldn’t be willing to break off the contract. My apologies, but you have quite the reputation.”
“In different circumstances, this would be a problem”—she flinches—“but seeing how my own situation has changed recently, it won’t be.”