Page 9 of Takeover
"I can and I do.I’m the CEO of Becks Incorporated.I make this decision."
Our guest however, inclined his head toward the couch in the corner and nodded at me."Why don't you join us, Gwen?"
For someone giving Arctic vibes, there was a sizzling heat to his voice.Something to scorch and give you an ice burn all at the same time.My father clearly hadn't intended for me to join their meeting, but Atticus didn't budge and then gestured an arm out for me to take a seat on the couch before he would sit.As if this washisoffice.I watched my father's eyes go wide, and I had to bite back a smile.Well, well, wasn't Atticus Price interesting?If he could ruin Dad's day, then I wanted to watch.
I took the corner by the window, which put me between the two of them as they took their seats.When Atticus sat, his gaze anchored my father and then swung onto me."So you're the one behind the algorithm."
It was a statement, not a question."Yes, why?"
If I was expecting an answer, I'd be waiting a long damn time because all he did was give me a curt nod as his intense stare drank me in.That was the only way to describe it.He watched me like I was the answer to a question he was trying to figure out.His brow lifted ever so slightly, and because I was a masochist and had become a connoisseur of his mouth, I watched as he pressed his lips ever so slightly together."That is interesting."
My father’s harsh voice snapped the cord of tension tightening between us."There is no need for Gwen to be here."
I clamped my jaw tight.We needed an out.Just not this out.Maybe I needed to pray to the tech gods of rich and ethical investors."We're not for sale."
My father let out a harsh chuckle."Sorry to break it to you, Gwen, but everything is on the table providing the deal is good.Because let's face it, Bronson Jacobson is the other option."
My gut twisted.I would put the algorithm up on an open source website before I’d let Jacobson have it.I didn’t care if he alone could save my father’s company from his excesses."There is no way in hell I'm letting you sell off all my work to Jacobson."
My unlikely ally spoke up."Look, Jacobson perhaps is a better fit in some regards, but Pendragon is moving into new technologies, and your software has many applications.The base code allows for raid AI learning, and those models, if applied in the right way, could be extraordinarily useful in the energy space.And before Gwen interjects, because I can see it on her face right now.”
“Look, I hear you, but the only way this works for me is if you keep my whole tram and they keep their salaries.”
Cocking his head, he studied me.“That’s open to negotiation.”
“Negotiation?That’s not enough.I need to take care of them.”
“Like I said, everything is on the table.There's opportunity for movement and growth for those we retain.It's a generous offer.But we need to access the division.But don’t worry.For those we keep, they will get the full benefit of everything Pendragon has to offer, retention bonuses as well as the standard benefits, of course."
My blood ran cold.Thatwasa good deal…for those he retained.But how many would that be?Not to mention, he sounded like it was a forgone conclusion.I hadn't agreed to anything.That was not the deal my father and I had made when I came to work with him four years ago.
Four years ago, there was money.
Four years ago, I signed on the dotted line.
I had, but I hadn't expected this.I hadn't anticipated my father pulling the rug from under me.I wasn't ready to give up yet.I just needed more time."You can't be serious, Dad."I could feel my blood pressure rising.“You keep saying how this is a family company.Well, he is not family."
My father's cold anger whipped out like icicles toward me."Gwen, that is enough!"
His shout was the splash of cold water I’d needed.Shit.I was fucking losing it.
Of course, I was fucking losing it.I was watching my life's work filter through my fingers like water."Dad?—"
"You are done here."
Ice-cold bricks of shame pelted my skin as I grabbed my laptop and stood.There was nothing left to do but stand and let my failure flow out of me as I walked away, leaving my father to make a deal with Atticus Price.
Chapter4
Atticus
My skintingled and prickled as she walked out.
Fuck me.
The other night hadnotbeen a fluke.Being this close to her, I just kept looking at her skin and wanting to touch it.She looked so soft.Unfortunately, judging by how bad this meeting just went down, she had not been expecting to see me.Which was bad news.
"I gather not everyone is on board with the sale?"I asked her father.
