Page 78 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"I understand it's hard. I do. But I hope you can put aside your differences here. You won't be working directly with Miles anyway. He's not involved in the media company—he's a journalist, works independently. This would be with the corporate team."

I stare at the folder. Three times the regular rate. Relocation to NYC. All expenses paid. Six-month contract.

Dax is doing this to get me to New York. To work with him. To be near him.

"This is..." Linda stands, pacing to her window.

"Scarlett, this is the kind of client that could skyrocket our firm's reputation. Whitman Communications handling a crisis for one of the top five media conglomerates in the country? Do you know what that would mean for us?"

"I understand,but—"

"They want an answer by five PM today." Linda turns to face me.

"And they need you in New York by Monday."

Monday. Only five days from now.

"That's..." I shake my head. "That's so fast."

"I know..it's odd. But as they say in our industry; ‘Scandal waits for no one’," Linda admits..

"They already have PR people in their NYC branch. But the Blackwell name carries too much weight to ask questions. When someone like that makes a specific request, you don't say no."

She sits back down, her expression softening.

"Look, I know this is a lot. And I know it's personal for you because of Miles. But this is a massive opportunity. For you, for the firm, for your career."

I can't breathe. Can't think. Dax maneuvered this entire thing.

"Can I have a couple hours to think about it?" I ask.

Linda's face tightens with concern.

"Scarlett, please don't disappoint me on this. I need to give them an answer today."

"I know. I just... I need a couple hours. That's all."

She studies me for a long moment, then nods.

"Okay. But I need your decision by this afternoon. Understood?"

"Understood."

I stand, the folder clutched in my hands, and walk out of her office on shaky legs.

Back at my desk, I sink into my chairand stare at the folder.

Blackwell Media Corp.

Dax Blackwell.

He orchestrated an entire corporate contract to get me to New York. My phone is in my hand before I can think about it. I dial Jane's number. She answers on the second ring.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Can you meet for lunch?" My voice comes out higher than normal.

"It's urgent. I really need to talk."