Page 107

I nod. “I understand.”

“Honestly, the last couple of months have taken a toll on me.”

I nod again. “That’s what I would like to talk to you about,” I say.

“Oh?” Jim stirs a packet of Sweet’N Low into what appears to be a dry cappuccino.

“Now that investigators have frozen the stolen accounts and the insurer has started the recovery process, I want to discuss Mission’s ownership.”

Jim nods. “I assumed the recovered money would go back into the company.”

“It will. But Rick has also drafted a term sheet for the shares.”

He sets down his coffee. “Go on.”

“Subject to an independent valuation, board approval, and tax review, you can repurchase enough voting shares from Ashford at my original price to regain fifty-one percent control. Ashford will retain a minority stake and the partnership agreement, but Mission will be yours again.”

For a long moment, Jim studies me. “I have to be honest with you, Ashford. I never liked you. You came in, took control of the company, and tossed me aside like it was an afterthought.”

“I know.”

“But then I watched you work. You made the company stronger. When Natalie found the leak, you did not stop until you understood it, and you did not panic the staff. You are an impeccable businessman, Marcus. I have learned a lot from you.”

“Then come back as CEO. The office is yours.”

He leans back with a long breath. “I want my company back. I want the voting control and the title of executive chairman. But I do not want the daily grind. I spent my life building Mission while raising two girls and grieving the woman who will always be my soulmate. Being forced to step aside showed me that I am ready to step back.”

“Then we hire an independent chief operating officer to run the day-to-day. You remain executive chairman with fifty-one percent voting control. Ashford keeps its minority stake, and we keep building the partnership.”

“And Natalie?”

“Her pay, reviews, and job security remain with the COO, outside my control.”

Jim takes another sip of his coffee. “Keep me informed, do right by my daughter, and you have a deal.”

“Then that is what the lawyers will formalize.”

“You’re a good man, Ashford. A smart man,” he says as he takes a sip of his coffee.

And because we are on good footing, I take my chance.

“On that note, I am a man who is crazy about your daughter,” I state. Jim doesn’t flinch. He simply nods and sets down his coffee.

“Go on.”

“I’m also crazy about her son,” I add.

“Your son,” he says and that answers my question about whether or not he knows.

“Yes. I want to take care of them. Not just financially, but–”

“If you’re asking if you can marry my daughter, you have my blessing,” he cuts me off. “Same as you have my blessing to keep building M.E. with us. But you cannot fail either her or your son. I want that to be crystal.”

I stand up and hold out a hand.

Jim stands and shakes my hand.

“Crystal,” I tell him. “I will take the best care of everything you hold dear. You have my word.”