Page 8 of Escorting the CEO
STRICTLY BUSINESS
RHODES
Alan called me again.“I just got off the phone with the President of the Board, Rhodes. They’re in crisis,” my attorney said.
“I saw Terry yesterday morning at the service. He didn’t mention anything,” I said. Terry Hazleton had been the president of Barrington Enterprises’ board for ten years.
“Because he was trying to be respectful,” my attorney sighed. “Apparently, Miranda got hold of him and called an emergency meeting. She wants the Board at Barrington Manor next week to vote on an interim president. She’s nominated herself, of course.”
“Of course she did.” I cursed to myself—I’d told her not to make any moves. But my stepmother had never been one to take orders.
“She told Terry that you won’t be able to meet the trust’s requirements, so she is the next natural choice to lead the company,” he continued. “She said there’s no way you’ll agree to get married and move back full-time to Barrington Manor. She has them convinced, Rhodes.”
“She had no right to say that, or to call for a vote,” I said, but we both already knew that. “Tell Terry that I’ll be at the meeting. And also, that I’m engaged.”
“What?”
“That’s right—I’m getting married, and I’m going to meet the trust’s provisions right on schedule.”Because I’m buying a bride through an agency I found online.Congratulations to me!
“You’re engaged?” Alan sounded stunned.
“I’m getting engaged. I’m not losing my company to fuckingMiranda,” I seethed. “Call Terry back and let him know. Then I’m going to need an airtight non-disclosure agreement and a pre-nup,” I said. “Alicia will be in touch with the details.”
I hung up and called my assistant.
“I need you to prepare a summary for legal,” I said. “It’s for a nondisclosure and a pre-nuptial agreement for an as-yet unnamed woman I am getting engaged to today. We will be married within thirty days, and the contract term is five years.”
Alicia cleared her throat. “Yes, Sir.”
“She will earn five million dollars if she performs the contract terms,” I continued. “If she violates any of my rules, or if she discloses the existence or details of the contract, she gets nothing, and she will also be liable for treble damages. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Mr. Barrington.” Alicia neither sounded startled nor asked me any questions, which was why she was literally the best assistant in the entire history of assistants.
“And Alicia, you can start taking part-time hours next week. You’ll still be paid your regular salary. I’m relocating to Barrington Manor. Take two weeks off at Christmas, enjoy the time off with your family, and then start working from home when you prefer.”
Alicia, ever composed, actually stuttered a little bit. “T-Thank you, Mr. Barrington.” She hung up before I changed my mind.
Next, I called Elena, the Madam at AccommoDating. I’d spoken with her an hour earlier—if she didn’t have someone for me, I would take my business elsewhere. Every second counted.
“Do you have a suitable candidate, or not?” I barked. “Like I said, I need someone today. And she has to be perfect.”
I’d shared my must-haves: a fresh face, from outside society’s social circle, who had experience with children but didn’thaveany children.
“Actually, I do,” the Madam said, surprising me. “She can meet you this afternoon at Barrington Manor if that’s acceptable. She’s ready to begin the assignment after you two sign the contract.”
“That’s… Perfect. I’ll text you the address. What can you tell me about her?”
“Not much,” Elena said. “I need to make sure she passes our background checks, but I believe she will. Do you want to proceed?”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t have a choice, did I? “Yes.”
“Once she clears our system, I’ll send you a list of items that she’ll need. Or do you have an assistant that can handle that for you?”
“Absolutely.” I texted her Phillip the butler’s number.
“Excellent, Mr. Barrington. We’ll see you this afternoon. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”
“Since I’m paying you an exorbitant amount of money, I’m sure it is.”
