Chapter Ten #2
I nodded, staring at the graphics in front of me.
They told me this was going to be my most challenging turnaround yet.
If this were a client who came to me and told me to save his company, I’d flat-out tell him to sell it to anyone who was willing to give him money.
But I knew my grandparents wouldn’t agree to it—they’d get a shitty price for it now.
Plus, I doubted they’d ever want to sell.
They lived for Whitley Industries. It was their pride and joy, especially after my father's scandal.
After he left, they doubled their efforts to make the company soar, but no one in the family had taken over Whitley Advertising.
It had been floating for the past decade, and now it was sinking.
But if I managed to turn the company around and get someone to offer us good money for it, my grandparents might change their minds.
"You're going to need nothing short of a miracle," Cade said.
"I told Grandfather that," Gabe added. There was no humor in his voice.
"It's going to take a lot, but I'm going to give it my best," I assured them.
"We have no doubt about that," Gabe said. “And in your free time, we're going to make sure you enjoy everything Boston has to offer.”
"I won't have any time for that."
"I wonder if you would say the same thing if Ms. Natalie were part of the package as well." Cade grinned.
I sneered. "Brother, this is the second time you’ve being disrespectful toward her."
He clapped me on the back. "God, I forgot you’re so proper. Welcome back home, brother. We’ve missed you."
My brothers stayed at the office for two whole hours as we went through the report.
Things went from bad to worse, but my brain was already in problem-solving mode.
I had a few ideas I needed to test, but first I'd have to thoroughly study the books.
After Gabe and Cade left, I pulled them up on my laptop.
I spent the afternoon assessing the accounts and realized Gabe had been completely right. This place wasn’t just bleeding money, it simply had none left. That was our roadblock.
Half my brain was working on a solution to bring in income right now.
The other half was on Natalie. I was tempted to tell Cade to forward me the contact information from the security companies.
From what I'd seen outside Natalie’s door, she didn't even have cameras.
Had she ever thought about installing some?
Fucking hell, I can’t believe I’m obsessing over this.
At four o'clock in the afternoon, I texted her.
Jake: Natalie, this is Jake. Is everything okay?
I tapped my pencil against the stack of papers I had in front of me. I'd printed out some crucial parts of the accounting documentation. I thought best when I had information printed in front of me.
My phone buzzed. I grabbed it the next second.
Natalie: Yes, why wouldn’t it be?
Jake: Do you have any security cameras? I've asked my brothers, and I have recommendations for companies that can take care of it.
Natalie: No, I don't. Relax, Jake, I don't need any.
Is she serious? Some guy’s giving her headaches, and she just waves it away, saying it’s fine?
Instead of letting it go, I called her. I couldn't explain why this was haunting me, but I needed to keep her safe.
"Natalie, it's Jake," I said the second she answered.
"I figured." Her tone was impossibly sassy again, but I preferred it to the small, scared voice I heard yesterday just after she saw the letter.
"I don't think you should minimize this issue. You should get an alarm system."
"By all means, please boss me into what you think I should or shouldn't do."
"This isn't about bossing anyone into anything."
"Mm-hmm. That is not what it sounds like to me. What did your brothers say when you told them about it?"
"I apologize. I shouldn't have shared this with them. They made fun of me, obviously."
"You're more relaxed around them, you know?"
"I like being with my family,” I admitted.
Hearing her voice had an unexpected effect on me. It seemed to calm down my nervous system and loosen my muscles. I’d been tense the whole day, but chatting with her about my brothers was thoroughly relaxing.
"What else do you plan to do while you’re in Boston?" she asked. "Besides working."
"I have two jobs to fulfill, so that's all I'll be doing."
"Right," Natalie said. "And your brothers are just going to be okay with that? Gabe seemed like he had plans yesterday. He's fun."
I straightened up in the chair. My muscles went rigid. Is she attracted to him? Is that it?
"Just so you know, Gabe is never serious about women."
"Thanks for this information I never asked for." She sounded completely confused.
Fuck me, I was losing my mind. I'd never cared about a woman. Ever. I'd only met Natalie a couple days ago, yet I was obsessing over her safety and whether she was attracted to my brother. What’s happening to me?
"I don’t have fond memories of Boston," I admitted, to my surprise. This wasn't something I talked about, not even with my brothers. They suspected it, of course.
"I think that's a pity," Natalie said. Her voice was kind.
"I think the city is amazing, and I love it so much.
I like the harbor, the redbrick buildings, the history throughout, the farmers markets, the art galleries, and the ice cream.
Oh God, I have my favorite gelato shop by the harbor.
It's called Gelateria Di Venezzia. I love the pistachio and lemon flavors. "
"Those are the most unappealing ones I've ever heard of."
“Don't diss it until you try it. Anyway, was there anything else, Jake? Or did you just call to berate me for not having an alarm system?"
"I want you to be safe."
"Jake, I’m okay. Trust me. Now I have to let you go. I'm sauntering around the city, trying to discover the best location for Jeannie's birthday."
"Good luck," I said.
"And to you. Don't overwork yourself."
I snorted. "That's impossible."
“Ouch. Okay. I’ve got to go. I’m going to short-list the locations that are available on her birthday—and then I’m going to quiz you on Jeannie. I’ll need very detailed answers.”
“You’ll get them.”
“Oh really?”
“I’m always thorough, Natalie. In everything I do.”
She sucked in a breath. Clearly she could sense I was speaking in double entendres.
“I’ve really got to go now. Talk to you later?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“Jake? You’re a very surprising man.”
It was a good thing she’d picked up on that, because I planned to surprise her in more ways than one.