AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Let’s sit down, everyone,” Mark Fenstone said as he nodded in my direction, smiling as he did so. “We should get on with the meeting since we all enjoy our Saturdays.”
I unbuttoned my jacket before sitting down, studying the faces of the five board members. Meanwhile Timothy was grinning as he did often when we’d been sitting side by side against the wall, doing nothing more than watching the festivities. Sometimes fireworks.
Pops hadn’t wanted me to be on the board. He’d believed that would create a sense of impropriety.
Well, fuck that.
Given at least three of the board members were ready to bail, my two brothers would take a seat at the table after I ousted them. That would even the odds. While the CEO could veto any decision, my father had rarely utilized that level of power. He knew the strife it would cause.
It would take significant control not to do that today. I also reminded myself I was trying to blame the world for my father’s death and the board members could be nothing more than controlled puppets in this scenario.
Only my instinct was shifting the other way.
“I think we can skip all the basic formalities,” Steve Perkins offered. “I would like to present for vote the appointment of Valerio Royal to the board of directors.”
There was no such thing as a silent vote in this world. No one was stupid enough to vote against me. Within seconds, the deed was done. With six board members, there was always a chance for a tie, which the CEO and president only could break. It was a heady responsibility and one my father hadn’t taken lightly.
“Thank you very much for your vote of confidence.” That was about all the professional decency they would get tonight.
“We’re glad to have you step up, Valerio. It’s a tough time for your family and I hope Gilly is doing as well as can be expected,” Janice said, her expression now more motherly than before.
I took a deep breath, nodding a few times. “She’s holding up well. Now, there are a few housekeeping things that I want to handle this morning before we each go our respective ways. As you know, my brothers and I run two other companies who are under the Royal Corporation’s umbrella. I will continue to be an active part of that, which will mean my two brothers also take a bigger role in what happens here. I assure you they are not attempting to take over, more ease the workload of everyone.”
I waited, allowing that to sink in.
The board members nodded. Timothy lifted his eyebrow in amusement. He knew me well enough to realize when another shoe was going to drop.
“In addition, and I want to make this extremely clear, the Royal family is not selling this company for any amount of money, nor will it allow a hostile takeover to occur. I am well aware every one of you has been approached by Harbour Enterprises, attempting to encourage or, in my mind, blackmail you into selling your shares of stock. That will not happen. If you dare attempt it, I will intervene going straight to the SCC and I assure you, I have the power to ruin you.”
I also allowed that tidbit of information to sink in, noticing just how uncomfortable everyone had gotten.
“And I continue. As many of you have heard, I am getting married. That will change things as well.” I pulled out my phone, putting a smiley face onto my text going to my luscious cupcake. We still enjoyed texting. It was our sexy form of communication.
“What does that mean, Valerio?” Steve took the drop in conversation to jump in, leaning over the table.
“It means that I have a family life. And I want to enjoy that. In order to do so, I need people I can trust without reservation around me. Given there is a vacancy in the position of vice president of operations, a title and a job neither one of my brothers have any interest in, I took it upon myself to select the best candidate.”
My beautiful woman was right on cue, waltzing in through the doors as if she owned the place. I had to admit, as much as I adored her in her jeans, tee shirts and ponytails, the red suit and coiffed hair along with four-inch stilettos left me with very sinful fantasies at the forefront of my mind.
Yes, I would ravish the wild and sultry woman just as soon as we ditched the fancy clothes. Maybe I’d put on another one of the Hawaiian shirts that she seemed to adore so much.
“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,” Selena said. “I am Selena Michaels, Valerio’s fiancée and your new vice president of operations. I am so looking forward to working with all of you.”
To say there was a shockwave through the room was an understatement and I couldn’t be happier. Everything had been played out exactly as I’d hoped.
Even Timothy was in shock, but the evil glint in his eyes meant he knew exactly what I was trying to do.
Flush out the rat.
There was a whole lot of sputtering and sweaty faces but over the course of the next few minutes, the board members did their best to regroup before walking out.
I was one hundred percent satisfied.
At this time.
“I think we are done here and I do hope you enjoy your weekend.” I stood first, the others still looking at me warily. Likely wondering what the hell was going on in my mind.
I kept a smile on my face as they gathered what little they’d brought into the room, barely making eye contact before leaving. Only Timothy remained behind, his grin positively glowing.
