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“If I may,” one of the other board members speaks up. His name is Osgood Reginald, he’s in his seventies, and though I don’t know much about him, I do know that he tends to take my father’s side no matter the situation. Which is probably why he’s been around for so long. “A stubborn client has never deterred us before. We’ve always been able to get them to see our way…or at least replace them with somebody who does.”
“Exactly, Osgood,” my father says. “Sean, the sale needs to be done no matter what.” He shrugs. “Promptly. If you don’t, then we will need to evaluate your work and determine whether or not you have a future at this company.”
If you don’t. Not if you can’t.
I want to laugh because it’s so ridiculous.
I want to tell him what I really fucking think of this sorry excuse for a father. He must really be pissed at me if he’s willing to threaten my job in front of the entire board. His only son. The one he was insistent on following in his footsteps. The one who he trained since childhood to join his business. The one he instilled with profound love for this place.
Is he really willing to forget all that and throw it away to maintain the control he so desperately wants and needs? I’ve never been a family man, but damn, I thought being blood would count for something.
The only thing that stops me from walking out of the room without a second thought is the fact that he could have presented the art magazine to the board, proving his point—especially following Daniela’s challenge regarding his and the other board member’s non-attendance. It seems there still is a shred of decency left in him, like my mother claimed there was.
“I’ve heard enough.” Calmly, I sweep my gaze across the table. “I will not have my skills and worth ethic brought into question. You all know me. Everybody in this room knows what I can do, what I’m capable of. We have Westerlyn, we have them where we want them, and we have the means—and the partner—to take them to the next level. It shouldn’t matter how much of the hotel we own because we’re already calling the shots.”
I pause for a moment, gauging the reactions of the people around me. I can see one or two small nods of approval, but not as many as I would like.
“I don’t need to have my job threatened,” I add, “and I’m not going to stand for it either.”
Silence falls over the room, filling it with uncomfortable tension. I look at my father for his reaction.
“Sean, you have brought a substantial amount of business to Blackwood and have never been one to shy away from a challenge. Get her to sell. You have three days to get it done.”
With Connor away on one of his business trips and the meeting dragging on longer than anticipated, I make my exit from Blackwood HQ and head straight to the airport for my next destination. In a few days, I’ll catch a flight to join him. Today’s trip gives me the time and space to reflect on what the hell just happened.
I don’t like this. There’s a deep gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, making it churn. I’m a decisive person, and I’m swift to act. When I know what I want and what needs to be done, there’s nothing I won’t do to make it happen.
However, this is different.
In this instance, there’s no cut and dry way to do this because emotions are involved. Not just mine, but someone else’s. Jess’s.
She’s excited to continue working together and the plans we discussed are still very much what I want to do. But I don’t want to do it without her. Her job is secured by our agreement. But I know my father, and judging by the meeting we’ve just had, he won’t shy away from sneakier ways to muscle her out of a job without outright firing her. He can make her life a living hell if he wants to. How understanding is she going to be when her plans are constantly turned down? How is she not going to be frustrated when she’s constantly stonewalled, and my father speaks to her the way he’s talking to me?
That part will never happen. Over my dead body.
26
JESS
Three days later
“So, are you gonna sell?” Pauline asks in a quiet voice as she takes her break in my office.
Sean has been out of the office lately, sealing deals left and right, so I haven’t crossed paths with him much in the past few days. But we’re scheduled for an after-work rendezvous today.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about his offer.” I lean back in my seat, using my straw to twirl the melting cubes in my iced coffee. I’m so used to Sean bringing in coffee that the one I purchased just doesn’t hit the spot. “The pros outweigh the cons. Westerlyn can do great things, especially with Blackwood backing us.”
“You know where I stand, but it’s your decision, Jess. You know I’ll support you no matter what.”
“Honestly, I feel like selling to Blackwood is the way to go,” I tell her. It feels wonderful to say it out loud, to finally have that decision and to no longer be wrestling with it. It’s the right move, and one I feel I’m finally ready to make. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have to take it.”
“I’m glad for you, Jess,” Pauline says, rising to envelop me in a warm embrace, pressing her chest against me. “I can see how good you two are together. You guys make a great team, and once the probation thing is over and you’re officially working for Blackwood, your potential will be boundless.”
Pauline holds up her nearly finished coffee in a toast. “Here’s to making big life decisions and seeing where they take us.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
We drink and finish our break before Pauline leaves to get back to work. I return to my duties as well, excited but nervous about my decision.
