He cracked a small smile then. “I’m in this business to make money. If you aren’t, I’d have better luck promoting Adriana to run the company than you. The business won’t turn a profit on good intentions.”
“And it won’t crumble under unethical business practices as long as my name is on it. I’m not trying to screw you. I just want you gone so I can do my job. And for what it’s worth, I didn’t want this job. Keeping this venture alive is going to take everything I’ve got.” I turned the last few pieces of paper over to him. “The choice is yours. Get out, or I walk. I’m not going to be a martyr for the cause.”
He ignored the papers and drummed his fingers on the table. “Give me a few days to think about it. I’m sure we can come up with an arrangement that we can both be happy with.”
“No,” I shot back firmly. “You’re smart enough to have seen this coming, which means you’ve thought it through already. Yes or no.”
He pushed up out of his chair and paced the length of the table and back again.
“Okay, Will. I see your point. I admire your tenacity. I certainly know where you get it from.”
Hope flickered, but I kept my cool. I knew we weren’t done yet. No doubt he still had terms, and I still had to navigate my way through them to a favorable end.
“If you’re going to strip me of my shares, I can at least ask for a small concession.”
“Depends on the concession.”
“Obviously.” He slowed and placed his hands on the table. “Jia Sumner. You know her.”
“I know her well.” Better than he probably realized.
“She’s a hard worker. Highly intelligent. She’s on the fast track with the firm she’s at, but last time she tried to make a jump, she was passed over. We’d been in loose discussions to hire her on as the COO when the investigation brought things to a halt.”
“I’m aware.”
“Good. I still think she’d be an excellent fit. I trust you’re capable, and I believe she’d be a valuable resource for you to have by your side. Secure her position here, and you and I have a deal.”
His was a small concession. I didn’t plan on fighting him over it, but there had to be a reason.
“Why?”
His expression was unreadable. “I owe her a favor. It’s the right thing to do.”
I hesitated, enjoying this last moment of watching him twist in the wind. I clicked the pen and placed it on top of the papers that would sever his last ties to the company.
“Consider it done.”
OLIVIA
I stepped through the doors of the gym, which still smelled new. Regret mixed with pride. Today could have been different, but dwelling on the past wasn’t getting me anywhere. We needed to move forward. All of us.
I hadn’t heard from Darren since the ribbon-cutting, and despite Maya’s efforts to keep tabs on my delicate emotional state, Cameron had managed to carefully avoid running into me.
For me, the initial shock of them knowing the truth about my relationship with Will and Ian had worn off. The spontaneous bouts of crying had stopped. The future seemed manageable, if a bit messier than I would have ideally wished for. But I felt secure in my choice. Both Ian and Will had secured a place in my heart. Nothing could change that.
I’d lived my whole life with convenient, proper, and socially acceptable behavior. I’d never burned the way these two men made me burn. I wasn’t ready to give up.
Having a break from their intensity, however, had given me the clarity I needed to feel secure in that choice. Too easily I became a slave to their passion and possessiveness. Owning my choice was more important than the comfort they would have given me after falling out of favor with my brothers.
I held my head high as I approached the front desk. Tori, the college-aged girl who normally manned the front of the gym, waved when she noticed me. Other patrons meandered in, sliding their passes through the scanner that confirmed their membership with a pleasant beep.
“How’s it going?”
She beamed. “It’s going great. Still getting things organized here and there, but so far no glitches. Everyone’s happy.”
“Has it been busy?”
“Swamped. Local members seem psyched about the extra location, and the marketing push you organized for the new member promotion seems to have worked. We’ve had a bunch of new sign-ups since the opening.”
“That’s awesome. Have you seen Cam?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah, he’s been around. Maya was here earlier, harassing him to talk to new members and schmooze a bit, so he’s either in the gym following instructions or hiding out in the office.”
I laughed and thanked her.
I found Cameron talking to a member I didn’t recognize. I approached slowly so I didn’t interrupt them, but Cameron noticed me immediately.
“Hi,” he said, but the greeting seemed awkward and forced.