“Thanks, Ganon.” I smile and head back to my office.
I sit down to review the quotes from Mayor Wise. It’s no surprise that she and my father are teaming up for a major Axton Harbor city initiative to modernize the port infrastructure. This project promises to create more jobs, benefiting Helix Enterprises’s imports and exports while also providing a boost to the mayor’s re-election campaign.
It’s hard to focus on the words in front of me as snippets of conversation drift through my office door. Everyone is buzzing about Cerberus’s latest video, and despite my best efforts, the constant chatter keeps pulling my attention away.
“It’s kind of admirable if you think about it,” my assistant, Cami, says as she places a fresh coffee on my desk.
“You’re a godsend,” I tell her, cradling the warm mug in my hands. “And what’s admirable?”
“Cerberus.” She sighs wistfully. “How they’re opening our eyes to the injustices going on in our city.”
A smirk pulls at my lips. I have to agree with her. There is something incredibly appealing about fighting corruption and peeling back the curtain to expose the truth. I’d be lying if I said a part of me doesn’t envy them. Even though they hide behind a camera, warping their voices so nobody can identify who they are, Cerberus gets shit done. They take down corrupt community leaders to make Axton Harbor a safer place–despite their questionable methods.
And what am I doing? Still working at Helix Enterprises for my father when I’d rather be anywhere else, doing anything else. I’ve had my letter of resignation tucked away in my purse for over three months now, but haven’t had the nerve to hand it over yet. Not without finishing what I started…
Soon, I remind myself.
“By the way,” Cami says, jerking me out of my thoughts. “Shannon just called and said Mr. Helix wants to see you in fifteen.”
My head snaps up. “I’m not supposed to meet with him until noon.” I don’t have the official statement ready yet, and he knows it.
She shrugs and heads for the door. “That’s what I told her, but Mr. Helix insisted.”
Of course he did.
Because of my twenty-eight years of experience dealing with the man, I pack up my things and head for his office immediately.Fifteenis Sebastian Helix forright fucking now.
Unfortunately, I come face-to-face with the Chief Operations Officer instead of my dad’s assistant when I reach his office area.
“Good morning, gorgeous.” Clay Ensling’s lazy grin greets me as he leans against Shannon’s empty desk outside my dad’s office. “You’re looking good enough to eat today.”
He doesn’t bother hiding how he scans my body from tit to toe. I suppress my full-body shudder. With his blonde hair and chiseled features, it’s easy to see why some women go for a guy like him. But I’ve never cared to linger too long in his presence.
“Is he in?” I ask, ignoring his blatant attempt at flirting.
He smiles tightly, flashing perfectly straight teeth. “Of course, go right in.”
I’m pushing the door open before Clay finishes his sentence.
Sunlight streams in through the wall of windows lining my dad’s office on two sides, giving him as close to a panoramic view of Axton Harbor as one could get. It’s only ever the best for Helix’s CEO. Best office. Best car. Best house. I’d say best daughter, but who am I kidding? I’m lucky if I get a passing nod from the man, let alone his approval or–gasp–his love.
My father is sitting behind his glass-topped desk in the middle of the room, typing on his computer when I quietly ease into one of the leather chairs across from him.
I wait. And wait. I cross my legs, and then uncross them. Check my phone and then place it back in my lap when I see Turner has sent me the official statement already.
“Am I keeping you?” Dad inquires without taking his eyes off the computer screen.
“Not at all.” He’s totally keeping me, but I’d learned long ago the best way to get what I want with this man is to let him play his power games without a fuss.
After another moment of mind-numbing silence, he clicks off the screen and spins his chair to face me fully. “Is your team ready?”
“Yes. Just emailed the press release to you.” He opens his mouth, but I cut in. “Along with all images for social media posts and a quote from you and the investors fully supporting this clean break from the Councilman. We need your approval and it’s ready for the press.”
His eyes narrow. “That wasn’t what I meant, Fallon.”
“Oh.” I clear my throat. “Sorry. What can I help with?”
He pushes a stack of papers across the desk. “You have a new assignment. These are the new terms I’ve drafted with Councilman Yeatts. I need you to take this to your team and have them mark up anything that may be an issue. Clean it up and get it back to me by the end of the day.”
