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“And the negotiation with the author?”
She could not tell if he was impressed by what she was saying because his expression had not changed since she started. The six men who had come with him, wearing sharp business suits and paying acute attention, were making notes on their various devices and sizing up the room.
“We are negotiating with her agent at the moment.”
He nodded, flicking a hand to indicate that she should continue. Keeping her polite and professional expression, she turned back to the screen and started using her pointer. He again interrupted her to enquire about their co-publishing arrangement with several authors.
“Thank you. That’s all for now.” He said with a curt nod, his eyes holding hers for a few seconds before swinging to Jerry, who sat up straighter in the chair.
“Mr. Gallagher?”
“Yes.” Delores moved from the screen to take her place around the table.
“Our accountant- “Jerry sighed in relief when Raymond moved towards the screen, armed with his financial report. “Mr. Raymond Ellis, he is very meticulous and exacting. You will find that the accounts are in order. There is an expense account- “
“You already sent that detailed report to my email.” The silver eyes raked him with a glance and had him shivering slightly. “I need to know your visions concerning the publishing house.” Without looking at his device, he named several discrepancies that had the board staring at him in awe.
His voice was clipped as he continued. “I would like to know your plans for the twenty-first century. What are the publishing goals for the remainder of the year? We are already in the first quarter, and the expenses and outlays are not matching. You are spending what you are not bringing in.“
He flicked a hand at the screen. “Those look good in theory, but the building has been paid for with just the usual overheads. Can you explain to us what the problem is? And why is the publishing house not making the required profit?”
Delores felt sorry for Jerry as he stood there as if a hail of bullets had been leveled at him, and he did not know where to turn. Looking around the room helplessly, he opened his mouth and closed it, his face pale and sweaty.
Delores pushed back her chair and decided to give him time to compose himself. The man was intimidating, but he was just that – a damn man, and even though they needed the infusion of capital, she was damned if he was going to walk in here and grind them under his very expensive Italian loafers. He was going to leave them some pride.
“I can answer that question if you don’t mind.” She stood in front of the room and endured the blast of his silver gaze as it raked over her face.
With a curt nod, he indicated he was okay with that. He leaned back against the chair and watched as she discussed the various expenses, including the book fair she had just attended.
“Bookfairs are incredibly essential to publishers. It’s a marketplace where we scout talents and meet with other publishing companies worldwide. It’s where we make very lucrative deals, try to sell the latest bestseller, and try to get a movie deal or two.
It’s a platform where publishers, agents, distributors, authors, retailers, and book lovers gather to make deals, and we also sell books. The expense account for my latest trip is in the financial report- “
“You are telling me what I already know, Ms. Pennant, and going over the reports sent to me wastes my precious time.” He glanced at his watch, and she felt the anger burning inside her gut.
“Perhaps it would have been more prudent to wait until you have more than ten minutes before you attend an important meeting like this one. People here wait to hear what will happen to our livelihood.”
Her dark brown eyes flashed as she stared at him. “You have the detailed financial reports and the report from the editorial department that has to do with the actual production of the books. We just want to know right here and now where we stand.”
The silence in the room was such that you could hear a pin drop. The room seemed to have shrunk, and it seemed like only two people were there. His face remained expressionless, but there was a glint of something she presumed as anger in those strange silver eyes as he stared at her.
Delores was determined not to show how much her insides were trembling or how she just wanted to take her seat and steady her trembling knees. He continued to stare at her, and just as she was about to look away, he did that, swinging his gaze to Jerry and pinning him down.
“The financial details will be sent to you later today. Currently, there will be no changes in staff until we review further. My team will meet with relevant staff members to suggest and implement changes as we see fit.”
Pushing back his chair, he rose with the other men seated at the table. “Thanks for your time.’ With that, he strode out of the room without glancing at Delores.
“Arrogant pup.” A board member snorted.
“Behaving as if he owns the goddamned world.” Another muttered. “And you, young lady, you stood up to him. Good for you.”
“Yes, Delores,” Jerry grasped her hand tightly. “You saved my precious backside.”
*****
“How was it?” Mariel bustled in with a fistful of messages and some manuscripts Delores had requested before going into the meeting.
“I might have just handed in my notice.” Delores pressed a hand to her unsteady heart and took a breath.
