Page 107 of Crimson Love

SAVVY

Jett

“I don’t see any reason that the contract with Helix Dominion won’t proceed as planned. It’s right for shareholders and will take Stonebridge to the next level. It’s been a long process getting to this point. Despite what the board went through with Allen Foster, we’re back on track. I’ve never been more confident.”

It seems the nightly news isn’t the only coveted spot when it comes to business. When it comes to Wall Street, the opening bell rivals the end of the day. Futures and foreign markets normally rule the early morning talk shows.

But today, it’s all about Stonebridge and its pending contract with a company who plays with countries who are tied to terror organizations.

It also seems Chrissie isn’t the only one with contacts at The Daily Market Report. Lex Warner is the main interview this morning. There’s an opening bell countdown in the corner and all eyes are on Stonebridge stock valuations with talk of the impending contract.

“From what we’re seeing, I’m not sure the futures agree with you,” the host counters. The screen switches to a slew of numbers that look like a Christmas décor in red and green. In this case, there’s more red. “Investors are savvy. This doesn’t align with what they’re used to when it comes to Stonebridge. You’re not worried about these early numbers this morning?”

Warner is a picture of confidence—premature confidence. “If shareholders are questioning anything, it’s Patrick Madison’s move to put his unqualified children at the helm of the company. We’re big enough and powerful enough to take on contracts like Helix Dominion. This is happening. Stonebridge is about to move from tens of billions to hundreds of billions in net worth.”

Patrick glares at the screen where we’re watching from Lennon’s hospital room. “Qualified, my ass. We don’t need clients that will tear us down in years to come because of who we’ve associated with. And I will die before our investment in data intelligence will be used to promote terror around the world.”

“They’re counting on the fact Jett won’t be there today to vote. Proof will come out eventually on who was behind the toxic delivery. We know who it is. As soon as we can trace it back to Lex, ruling the board of directors will be the least of his worries,” Harlow says.

The host of the opening bell show cuts away from Warner. “I guess we’ll see in two minutes. We’ll be right back, live, for the opening bell.”

I flip the T.V. off and turn to Lennon, who’s propped up in bed eating a bland breakfast of toast and something that resembles scrambled eggs. She’s pushing the eggs around her plate with a fork. “It kills me to leave you for one second, but I have to be at that vote.”

She drops the fork and pushes the plate away that she barely touched. Her oxygen levels and heart rate are back up to almost normal. Giving her the antidote was a measured risk, but the right choice. Her blood panel came back positive for a plant-based toxin, just like the doctor thought. Between her symptoms and what I was able to fill in, the doc made the right call.

Lennon’s coloring is almost back to normal, and her full lips are back to their healthy pink. She’s just as beautiful as ever, even though she looks like she’s been put through the wringer. She’s exhausted and didn’t sleep well. I know that since I couldn’t take my eyes off her and didn’t sleep at all. It was all I could do not to crawl in bed with her and wrap her up in my arms. She leans back into her pillows. “It’s okay. I can ask Felicity to keep me company while you’re at your meeting.”

“Let Devon stay,” Harlow says. “No offense to Felicity, but I’m not sure she could fight off a kitten if it threatened to scratch you.”

I claim Lennon’s hand. “I also called Payne. We know who might’ve masterminded this, but there’s no way Warner did this alone. Every single person who had a hand in hurting you will pay.”

Lennon shakes her head. “I had no idea the gift basket might not be safe. I guess the last six years made me naïve. I hate that I never even questioned it.”

“That makes two of us,” I say. “It’s tearing me up that you were hurt for something that was directed at me. Never again.”

Harlow comes to our defense. “Why would you question that? It said it was from Stonebridge. And Jett agreed to come on board just the day before. I would have thought it was real, and I’m not new to this world. The company sends things all the time. Lex knew that and took advantage.”

“He’ll never do it again,” Patrick bites. “I just got a text from Chrissie. Corporate security and law enforcement are close. There might be a chance that Warner isn’t a free man by the time we vote.”

I get up and sit on the edge of Lennon’s hospital bed and wrap my arm around her. “Part of me wants Warner to make it to the meeting. He’s counting on me being too sick or dead to make it to that vote. I wish I could look him in the eyes in person. Even if it is over video conference, I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees me alive, healthy, and ready to kill his plans for the contract once and for all.”

Harlow smiles at Lennon and me. “By the end of the day, everything will be over. The doctor said Lennon could go home this afternoon, the contract with Helix Dominion will be washed under the bridge, and Stonebridge can return to normal.”

There’s a knock at the door where it was still standing half-open. Payne Deacon enters and comes to a stop in the middle of the room. He looks around and crosses his arms. “Well, well, well. I’d call you a catastrophizer if I didn’t know better. If you wanted to sue someone, all you had to do is say so. I’ve never had a client poison themselves for this kind of attention. But I can’t lie, I like it. Go big or go home, right?”

I frown. “Too soon, man. Too fucking soon.”

“Excuse me.” Harlow touches the screen on her cell and moves out of the room. “This is Devon. I’ll be right back.”

Payne ignores Harlow and claps his hands once before rubbing them together like he’s about to dive headfirst into a cake and devour the entire thing by himself. “Gimme all the details. I’m ready to slash and burn from top to bottom. They won’t know what hit them when I’m done. By the way, I saw the news. Any word on Daddio resurfacing?”

I turn to look down at Lennon when I feel her tense against me and press my lips to the top of her head. “Not yet. And I’m getting sick of waiting.”

Harlow returns almost as fast as she left with her cell still to her ear. “Devon and Dean are on their way here. They got a lead on the IP address that booked the delivery company. It’s traced back to a small office on Long Island. They’re working with the delivery company to see where the gift basket came from. And Dean got the reports back from testing the contents of the gift basket. There were traces of something called Virexin in all the food. He’ll tell you more about when they get here.”

“I’m sure this won’t be a surprise for anyone, but Warner lives on Long Island,” Patrick says.

“Fuck me,” I mutter. “Talk about desperate. Warner must think the rest of the world are idiots if he doesn’t think that will trace back to him.”