This is an idea I’ve toyed with for years. Whenever we’ve been in the same room, I’ve always joked about being the face of their brand. Not only because I love their whiskey, but because I love what they represent. Family. Connection. Heritage. Now having been here in Whispers for a while, I can understand it even more. Up until now, Tanner and Connor have both had large profiles, but I know that’s not what they love to do. Me, my face is already everywhere, so what’s one more place?
“Because I’m in hiding. I’m elusive. I’m a Shadow Gentleman.” They look at me in slight awe.
“What’s a shadow gentleman?” Connor asks as Tanner looks on, intrigued, and I feel like I’m coming alive inside as I think about it.
“A Shadow Gentleman is a man of undeniable refinement and intrigue. He carries an air of mystery, perhaps due to a hidden past, concealed identity, or the deliberate choice to remain in the background while still influencing the world around him. He commands attention without seeking it. He’s polished, perceptive, and quietly powerful. Whether he's evading detection, orchestrating events from the shadows, or simply existing in a space between elegance and secrecy, he remains someone people notice, but rarely truly know.”
Connor smiles. “Have you ever worked in marketing?”
“Never.” My answer’s quick as I feel the bud of possibility blooming.
“We have a new batch. It’s a bit different.” I can tell Tanner’s considering this.
“How so?” I ask.
“I charred the barrels before I aged it. Then coated them with our honey. Giving it a smokey, caramelized edge to it that we’ve never had before.”
Excitement buzzes through me as I nod, loving the sound of that.
“Shadow Gentleman. A whiskey with quiet power and undeniable allure.”
They both look at me.
“Shit, that’s good.” Connor throws his pen down on his desk like it’s already a done deal.
“Damn, I like it.” Tanner rubs his chin in thought.
“You do know if we position this right, it’s going to go crazy.” Connor looks at me seriously.
“I know.” I can already see it. Me staying here, working with them in secret. Filming commercials around Whispers, shoots for magazines, social media. Then me coming out as being in Whispers when it first launches, it’s going to be a media frenzy.
“I can see it,” Tanner adds, relaxing back in his seat.
“It’ll work well with our global expansion proposals with Grant Holdings.”
My eyebrows rise at Connor’s statement. I knew they were expanding, but Grant Holdings is big. I’ve met the Grant brothers a few times. They’ve been at the same restaurants I frequent, their money giving them access to a global field of people like no other.
“I know Tyler,” I tell them, and Connor looks at me sharply.
“Of course you do.” He shakes his head, grinning. Seemingly, his plans are all coming together.
“We could film the commercials here on-site and in town. A photoshoot in your barrel rooms, aging rooms.” I haven’t auditioned or pitched myself in a long time. It feels refreshing, like I’m taking charge of my career all by myself without Bobby and his bias. I’ve missed that control.
“Sounds like you’re planning to stick around in Whispers a bit longer? Sawyer told me you purchased a block of land and are working with Griffin on a place.” Tanner smiles, clearly proud to add me to the list of residents in his town.
I shrug. “Whispers is nice. Private. Secure. Quiet. A good place for someone like me to come and hide once in a while. I like it here. The whiskey is good too.”
Connor chuckles, lifting an eyebrow. “We’ve never partnered with a celebrity, never wanted celebrity endorsement.”
“I was thinking I might fall into the friend category…”
Tanner smirks, one that his son quickly matches. “I think we have a deal, Sutton. Shall we toast?”
Jumping up from his seat, Connor walks straight to the small bar in his office and pours three glasses. And just like that, a new marketing campaign is born, and I have a job. One I pitched and booked myself. Sawyer can do the negotiation and paperwork. I’ll keep Bobby none the wiser.
5
Nikki
