“I don’t know. His assistant called an hour ago.”
I let out a chuckle that I hope sounds nonchalant. “That’s the mix-up.” I pretend to have an a-ha moment. “Cal has just reassigned the project to me because Liam has to attend to some emergency.”
“To you?” I can practically hear his frown over the phone.
Right. Corm hasn’t announced I’m a partner. Full stop. The minor part of the partnership will get resolved soon.
I lean back in my chair. “Yes. Do you think you can get your team together this afternoon?”
“Sure thing, Roxy. Anything for you.”
I smile. This team has relied on me many times. They trust me.
His keyboard clicks fast. “For how long?”
“To brief you, discuss and assign tasks—I would say two hours.” I’ve sat at these meetings numerous times; I can lead one. And they won’t even know it’s my first time. I will be prepared.
“Put it in my calendar, and send me the details so I know who to pull into the meeting.”
“Perfect. Thank you.” I smile. “Oh, Amir?”
“Yes?”
“Should you get another request from Liam, let me know first.”
“Sure?” He agrees, but sounds uncertain.
“He’s been here for a day, so I want to help him with the internal processes.”
“Of course, you’re the best with onboarding. You got it. See you later.”
One team reassigned. One to go.
I decide to tackle the lawyers in person. Checking my watch, I know exactly where to find them. They take their lunch hour working out at the company’s gym.
“Do you know where Liam Stone is?” I ask Alina at reception while I wait for the elevator.
“I don’t know, but I wish I were there with him,” she practically moans.
God help me.
“He is having lunch in his office,” Joey says, walking past us. “I told him about the break room, but I think he likes to keep to himself.”
Information is power. That is one lesson from my father that I don’t rebel against. I learned it from him. I used it against him. It helped me get things done around here.
And I enjoy getting the information. Spending hours researching someone has become almost a hobby by now—as well as compiling seemingly unrelated facts and connecting the dots. It’s not just about the usefulness. It’s thrilling.
He likes to keep to himself.I file that information to use for later. Stepping into the elevator, I smile.
I got the analysts to help, and I’m going to get the lawyers on my team, too.
I’m not letting yet another man control my future.
The analysts file into the boardroom, most of them immediately reaching for the cookies I supplied.
“Bribing with sweets.” The low, velvet voice sends a shiver straight down my spine.
“It’s called hospitality, but you wouldn’t know.” I turn to face Liam… and I wish I hadn’t.
