Hayes
twenty-seven
Driving onto The Mansion’s sprawling grounds in the Maybach allows me to admire the Spanish moss-draped trees, tidy lawns bordering the drive, and beautiful gardens that instantly caught my eye when I stayed here years ago.
I park the sleek car by the statement-making marble fountain in the courtyard flanked by bright hydrangeas, vibrant azaleas, heady-smelling gardenias, towering magnolias, and oaks that must be a century old.
The valet just nods in resignation as I pocket the keys to the one-off Exelero, not about to insist I let him drive the multimillion-dollar car.
I survey the luxurious facade of the gorgeous property as I mount the steps to the grand entrance of the estate-turned-hotel.
It really is show-stopping. The lobby is full of marble and velvet, hinting at the historic past while being fully updated for modern convenience.
Part of the appeal of this property is that it’s turn-key and a real focal point for our eastern contingent of boutique hotels.
She picks up her phone and speaks a few hushed words across the line before settling it back on the cradle.
“He’s in a meeting currently. Would you mind waiting a moment? They should be breaking for lunch soon.”
I nod, having anticipated this, though I hate waiting for anything or anyone.
I gather the patience Paige has recently taught me and move to a plush seating area near the quiet bar full of polished furniture and dark fabrics.
I check their shelves and feel a satisfied smile lift my lips when I see a few bottles of Underworld Spirits already prominently displayed on their top shelf.
The roll-out is happening as we speak, the mile-long waiting list for the exclusive liquors getting the small shipments we allow.
After about fifteen minutes of studying the lobby and taking in the seamless flow of the check-in desk and the speedy staff, the concierge comes to get me.
“If you’ll follow me, sir, I’ll take you to Mr. Fairchild’s office.”
She leads me through a lavishly decorated hallway off the lobby to an executive office suite richly appointed with masculine furniture, towering bookshelves, and an air of authority.
She holds the door to the office open and allows me to walk through before closing it behind me.
The office makes me feel right at home, though I could never see Paige working in a place like this, as she is light and frilly, not dark and stuffy.
“Mr. Fairchild,” I say in greeting. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I understand your schedule is quite busy today.”
He motions to a chair across the large desk and sits back in his big leather chair with steepled fingers.
“Hayes, you can just call me William,” he replies stiffly as I sit. “Interesting to see you again so soon. I was a bit surprised to hear you wanted a meeting with me.”
“Yes, it’s quite pressing, actually. I would never mix business with family time, so I felt it better to schedule something where we could speak man to man, rather than bog down an already heavy dinner with business.”
He leans forward slowly and rests his elbows on the gleaming surface of the desk.
“You want to talk business?” He gives me an appraising look and I remain the epitome of calm and collected.
“I have a gift I’d like to give you. I think you will find it quite valuable. Consider it a wedding present, from a grateful husband to his new father-in-law.”
He waves his hand jerkily in the air as he closes his eyes tightly and opens them with a look of trepidation.
“Talk straight with me, Olsen, I don’t have time to beat around the bush.”
“Paige told me the reason you wanted to marry her off to Garrison was to integrate the Thackery Agriculture investments and move into textiles through Daniels Industries processing plants. Well, Daniels Industries is yours. I bought the entire manufacturing outfit and subsidiaries yesterday. I thought you could run the show far better than they were, and not have the pain-in-the-ass rapist for a son-in-law or be joined as business partners with the enabling and unscrupulous people he calls parents.”
“You bought them out and are giving the entire outfit to me,” he articulates slowly.
“Yes, sir. I have the documents ready to sign over the entire enterprise to you today. You can run it however you’d like, keeping the staff or replacing them at your discretion.
You can even rename it Fairchild Industries if you’d like.
The Daniels name needs to be stamped out of Savannah completely, and what better way to do it than by replacing it with the Fairchild name as a testament to your steadfast influence and leadership. ”
I place my hand suggestively on the leather briefcase beside me. His eyes follow the movements and I see his throat work as he swallows. It’s quite a tempting proposal for any business-minded man.
“You’ve proven to have sound business practices that have grown a single luxury hotel into a prosperous hotel group, so I know you’ll be able to turn the Thackery Agriculture investments into the textile empire it’s meant to be with this small addition to your own portfolio.”
He crosses his arms and sends me a menacing look.
“Small addition? Cut the bullshit. I know you want something from me. Out with it.”
I rest my elbow on the plush arm of the chair and cross my ankle over my knee as I lean back.
“Do you know much about my business dealings, William?”
“You have a nightclub in town that Paige seems to be obsessed with and some new liquor distributor.” He waves his fingers dismissively at the liquor part, clearly unaware of how lucrative my new business already is.
“Those are two of my personal endeavors, yes, but it barely scratches the surface. What keeps me busy on a day-to-day basis, and the conglomerate I’m CFO of, is Olympus International.
My brothers and I run the company and we want to branch off in a new direction with the acquisition of several small hotel groups, uniting all of the properties to become the largest luxury boutique hotel chain in the country. ”
“You shifty bastard.” William’s eyes narrow as he puts it all together. “You’re the damn fools who want to buy out the Xenios Group. This is why you married Paige so fast. I should throw you out on your ass and have your shotgun marriage annulled right this minute.”
“But you won’t. I didn’t marry Paige for the hotels and that’s the honest truth.
I really do love your daughter, whether or not you believe it.
Aside from being head over heels for her, you and I both know I can give her the life she deserves.
As for the business, I can take the Xenios Group to new heights, far beyond what y’all may have envisioned. ”
“She will never forgive you when she finds out about this manipulation. You understand that, right?”
My chest constricts at the thought, but I press on.
“She will see in time just how right this is. I don’t expect her to understand right away, but I’m doing this for her.”
“How can stealing the very legacy she’s prepared her whole life to rule over even remotely be in her interest?”
He gives me a calculated look, but he’s not outright refusing me, a good sign.
“I have my reasons and my plans, but know Paige is the driving force behind everything I do now because I want to make her happy. I would give my soul to make sure she has everything she wants, and my very life to keep her safe.”
I mean every word. I just hope Paige will understand, eventually, and not hate me for what she thinks I’m doing to dismantle her legacy. She’s destined for even bigger things than what the hotels would bring her, and I will make sure she finds her realm to rule over.
“God knows she will give you hell when she finds out.” He shakes his head and nails me with a practiced look of parental concern.
If I were any other man, I would be quaking in my leather Prada Oxfords. Instead, it incentivizes me to win him over and get the hotels I want. Bring it. I level my own stare back at him. “I’m prepared for that possibility. Though I believe I can make her understand.”
“Her mama may never forgive you, even with the nice present I’ll be delivering on your behalf.” He sighs deeply and leans back in his chair, giving me a measured look. “But, for some miserable reason, I actually believe you have decent intentions where Paige is concerned.”
“She’s my reason for breathing, now. I know what I have and I’m not about to let that go.”
“You just better be prepared for the fallout when she finds out. Your cloud nine feelings will come crashing down around you both and you may lose her in your quest to take over everything you see at the very expense of the woman you claim to be doing this for.”
I ignore the words that sound fit for an oracle and temper the hope that rises in my chest. “Then you’ll agree to sell?” This is not a done deal, even if he does believe me where Paige is concerned.
“You’ve made quite a generous offer for the Xenios Group, and now this gift of the manufacturing capabilities my wife has been coveting for years.
It’s a hard bargain to walk away from. I’ll run it by my team and we’ll entertain the negotiations at the very least, but this is in no way my complete acceptance. ”
“I understand, and I appreciate your time. Shall we get the Daniels Industries transfer taken care of now so you can get back to your lunch?”
“You could join me for lunch and we’ll get legal pulled in to make sure everything is as good as it seems.”
“Smart man.” I offer him a smile and my respect. Having William Fairchild for a father-in-law may not be so bad after all. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, is an entirely different story.
“Maybe you can lend me some hard-earned secrets on how to make Caroline thaw a little toward me while we’re at it.”
“Son, that woman is an enigma of high-strung emotions and venom wrapped in a pretty package, but good luck to you. I’ll give you a few pointers I’ve picked up through the years and we can hope for the best on that front.
She’s a woman of actions, so you keep treating my baby girl with the respect and love she deserves, and Caroline may eventually thaw a little toward you. ”
I think that means I just earned his respect and maybe even his blessing. This impromptu meeting was worth every minute and million spent to acquire Daniels Industries just for that alone.