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Today was the real beginning. Then we’d wait. With our wedding only days away, the combination of what we had in our minds plus our nuptials should push whoever was responsible to a breaking point.
I rubbed my thumb across Selena’s cheek, winking before pointing to my private office. It was a Saturday, the usual day for board meetings, so no one else was in the office. She was to wait until I came to get her. I had my suspicions about one board member in particular. Janice Goodwin had flown under the radar for years, someone my father had considered conservative yet a good listener, capable of making decent decisions that were in the best interest of the company.
However, it had come to light she was also fucking Jameson Gold, the man who enjoyed spending time at the Royal Players Club. No wonder he’d heard about the threats. I didn’t like people telling trade secrets no matter how benign. I wouldn’t tolerate that behavior.
What I’d found interesting was that Janice hadn’t come to my father’s funeral. Given her long time friendship with the man, someone she’d once called a mentor, I found that very odd.
My father was a hard nut to crack on the outside, but he’d been far too trusting in my opinion. However, I had to remind myself not to jump to conclusions at this point. It was all about keeping a cool head.
And a ferocious attitude.
With my brothers taking quick trips to both islands to ensure there were no destructive attempts being made on my other lucrative business, we each had our tasks laid out for us.
I buttoned my jacket and walked into the conference room. This particular meeting was all about my appointment as CEO of the board. I’d already assumed the presidency given my father’s death.
It was just a formality, although I assumed the board expected me to announce one of my brothers as the second vice president. A natural concept to assume.
The five men rose from their chairs, Timothy being one of them. While not a seated board member, he was an important part of the team. Much like I’d joined many of them during my term as vice president of operations.
At least when I’d found the time.
Which lately had obviously not been often enough given the state of affairs within the company. In Selena’s extensive search, she’d found that her father’s company had made significant headway in winning both of the major contracts my father had been certain he’d obtain.
It also appeared Caldwell Michaels was pushing harder on the media circuit even after his former friend’s death. So much for the thought of water under the bridge. I had a feeling Selena’s father was simply pissed, but that didn’t mean I wanted him to be the one signing the two contracts. Quite the opposite.
I’d spent time looking at the initial offer from the New York firm. The dollars initially hadn’t been bad but from what I’d been able to tell, Dad had turned them down flat. I had a feeling they’d gone behind my father’s back, talking to every board member privately.
Unacceptable. There was still some concept of integrity even with firms engaging in hostile takeovers.
Or at least there should be.
Janice was already standing by the window, turning as soon as I walked in. She appeared distraught, enough so her eyes were red. As she approached, she darted her eyes back and forth across my face.
“I am so sorry about Sebastian, Valerio. He was a good friend and someone I cared about. He was also a mentor for everyone in this room. Please give my regards to Gilly and the entire family. His death was so unexpected. He was honestly the picture of health. I was amazed how diligent he’d become with regard to keeping himself fit. I truly wanted to come to his funeral but had some family issues that had to be dealt with.”
“Family is very important, Janice. I hope everything is going well for you. Please don’t lose a moment of sleep. My father respected you and valued your friendship very much. I’ll relay your condolences to everyone.”
See? I could be nice as well as condescending when I set my mind to it. This meeting was about prudence. Patience. Both of which I didn’t have. I was here to lay down the law as the new CEO, plant a few seeds, provide a little shock factor and observe.
Sadly, I had to keep reminding myself of that fact.
The look of stress remained on her face, as if there were so many things she wanted to tell me. Yet she turned away, taking her place at the table.
I took my place at the head of the table as well, still standing, noting the look of amusement on Timothy’s face. He and I had often commiserated on just how much my father insisted on the pomp and circumstances events, including having a yearly office party celebrating the success of the company. Always black tie. Always catered.
And always terribly expensive.
Meanwhile, the truth was that profits were slipping given two major national and very popular syndicate stations had pulled their ads from our various programs. They’d been considered gravy. In addition, given the stars my father had hired were pompous shitheads, at least in my mind, they’d already begun to push for new contracts.
We were potentially at a crisis. Or at minimum a crossroads.
Even the advertising department was lacking in creativity in my opinion. Perhaps it was time for an overhaul of employees, systems, and methods of doing business.
Then I’d decide exactly what I wanted to do with Progressive Media. My father would likely be rolling over in his grave by now.
But he’d also told me a long time ago when the firm belonged to his sons, we would be free to do with it what we wanted.
I planned on taking the man up on that. After all, I was providing him with the wife he’d so desperately wanted me to have.
