Page 44 of Takeover
After leaving the restaurant,I climbed in the car, and Gavin flicked his gaze to mine in the rearview mirror."Are you all right, boss?"
I ignored the sarcasm dripping from his words.I wasn’t taking any shit right now."Yep, I'm fine.Let's head to Becks Incorporated.I just found out that my fiancée is not where I told her to be, so I guess I have a lunch date at Becks."
He studied me in the mirror."So you're really doing this?"
"You know, I like it better when you just drive."
He chuckled softly."Who did you piss off now?"
"I didn't piss anyone off.Richard Lions did the pissing off."
Gavin navigated in the traffic easily.I swear to God, the man knew no fear.He'd probably honed that skill during his years driving Formula One, but he'd had a nasty crash, and it had almost killed him.He had gotten into private security after that.
"What did Lions want?"
"Apparently, to warn me that the old man was coming for me.But I knew that."
"Did he give you anything actionable?”he asked.“We can get Pierce on it."
"Micah is already on it."
"Good.Since he’s got your flank covered, are we going to talk about the wife thing?"
I rubbed at my jaw."Don't you start, too."The bunch of them were the worst gossips.
"I like her.I'm just saying it's complicated.And right now, do we really need complicated?"
"I have it under control."
Liar.
"Sure you do, boss."
Once we arrived at Becks, I signed myself in like some kind of visitor.But this time, instead of getting off on the top floor, I got off on the sixth.Corporate R&D, previously known as Rebel Tech, it had been rolled into Becks Incorporated four years ago.And that was the beginning of James Becker's expansion plans.
Those plans had not gone so well for him.Too much too fast.Story of his life.
The woman at the desk pushed to her feet when she saw me."Can I help you?"
"Yes.I'm Atticus Price.I'm here to see my fiancée."
Her eyes went wide."Um, who-who is your fiancée?"
I lifted a brow.The announcement had gone out to all media outlets today.Either she hadn't seen it, or Gwen had instructed her staff to pretend it wasn't happening.For now, I'd assume the former."That's our Gwen.Always keeping secrets.Can you let her know I'm here for our lunch date?"
She nervously tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth."Um, I-I'm not sure she's still able to meet.She's got the whole team in an all-hands meeting at the moment.I'm the executive assistant for the finance team.I'm just helping out.I'll, uh… I’ll let someone know you're here."
"No, don't bother.Just point me in the direction of the meeting."
The phone rang and she sighed."Okay, down that hall to the right, and then all the way down.It's the largest conference room we have."
"Thank you."
I strolled down the halls, taking in all the bright puffs of color and the little alcoves with comfy seating.Hell, were those napping pods?Their whole R&D department looked and felt like a startup.I followed the assistant’s directions and found the conference room just in time to see Gwen finishing up.I let myself into the back of the room, watching her as she presented to her team.
"In closing, I'll say that this move to Pendragon is exciting.We'll have the funds and the support.Everyone keeps their jobs and their salaries.I know that's always a point of contention and worry, andPendragon has been so kind as to offer retention bonuses and their standard benefits.It's a good deal, and I hope that you all trust that I fought for you.So why don't we let this news settle for a bit.Think about it overnight.If you have any questions or concerns, I will do my best to clear my calendar and make time for each of you for the rest of the week."
And then she dismissed her team.Some people stayed, looking dazed in their seats as they turned to stare and whisper at each other quietly.Others ran out immediately, calling people on their phones.Probably their spouses.And all through it, there was Lakewood, right by Gwen's side.
