“I’m glad to hear it, though I was surprised to learn that you came back from Colorado several days early for a family emergency.”Ah. That.I tried not to react as he continued speaking. “As far as I can tell, Sloan and Jackson and Evie are good. Graham and Lily are fine. Knox and Nate. So you can understand my confusion, as well as that of some of the board members who passed along their concern.”
“Please feel free to reassure any interested board members that all is well.”
“Mm.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Is it?”
“Yes,” I said, trying not to let my exasperation show.
“Does this ‘family emergency,’” he said, using air quotes, “have anything to do with that situation we discussed previously?” He gave me a meaningful look.
I knew he was referring to Halle even if he hadn’t mentioned her specifically. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of her, though I knew that was the exact opposite of what I should’ve done.
“Oh, fuck me.” He dragged a hand down his face. “It does. Doesn’t it?”
When I didn’t deny it, he closed the door to my office. I settled in behind my desk, trying to appear calm when I was anything but. It felt as if reality was pushing in on the bubble Halle and I had been living in, trying to burst it.
“I thought I told you to drop it,” Pierce said.
“I tried. I really did. But…” I lifted a shoulder. What else was there to say? I was in love with Halle.
“I need details,” Pierce said, taking the seat across from me. “Who is she? What’s her position in the company? How serious is it?”
I shook my head, unwilling to answer his questions. I couldn’t do that. I’d promised Halle. I wouldn’t make decisions that could impact her career without talking to her first.
“I can’t betray her confidence.”
“Jasper.” Pierce pinched the bridge of his nose. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me. And when—not if—this blows up, you’re going to want my help.”
I dragged a hand through my hair, knowing he was right. Halle might not be ready to tell anyone about us, but Pierce might be the one person who could help us navigate this situation. I understood her reservations, and I hoped that by talking to Pierce, we’d be able to devise solutions to overcome them.
“This stays between us?” I asked, needing confirmation. I would never intentionally do anything to put Halle or her job at risk. But it was my hope that this would help her. Help us.
“Of course. Though, I have to remind you that I’m your family’s attorney, not just yours. So if your relationship creates a conflict of interest, and it’s more than minor, I might be required to disclose it to the others. Especially if it could harm their interests in the company. But, of course, I’d give you the opportunity to disclose it first,” he said.
“I understand.” And I respected him for stating his boundaries.
“Who is she?”
“A higher-level employee.”
He groaned. “It’s Halle, isn’t it?”
I supposed there was no use trying to lie to him, not when he’d already guessed. But still, I was protective of her. “And if it is?”
“Is it serious?”
I knew Halle loved me. And while she seemed to know that we’d need to tell my family about us at some point, she was always evasive when I brought it up. Not that I’d broached the subject in a while. We’d been busy with Kai’s birthday, my travel, and now navigating Kai’s health issues.
“Yes, but she’s concerned about the impact to our jobs and the company.”
“Rightly so,” he said, and the pit in my gut widened. “After our last conversation, I reviewed the bylaws and employee policies. There is no policy outright prohibiting a relationship between the executive and a subordinate?—”
“That’s good,” I said, relief settling over me.
“You would think so, but it’s still a potential conflict of interest. And it’s subject to review by the board.”
I scrunched up my face, seriously disliking that idea. Halle would hate it.
“Look. I get it,” Pierce said. “But if you want to keep seeing each other, you’re going to have to bring it to the board. You’d have to recuse yourself from voting, which means that your family would lose their majority. But at least you’d still have a huge advantage.”
