AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She’s tall, with a no-nonsense face, her ponytail seemingly glued into place. A vision of my woman flashes up in my mind, her ponytail with its wayward strands.
The man is Logan, the son of the CEO. He’s been handling much of the business while his father is undergoing surgery.
He’s a born-money type, with slick blonde hair combed to the side, jittery as though he’s on something.
“You look pissed,” Logan says, grinning at me and then at Julian. “Is he pissed?”
“You’re not keeping any of the data.”
“Woah, woah.” Logan raises his hands. “Aren’t you even going to say a polite hello first?”
It’s more difficult than usual to stop myself from erupting. There’s too much balled up inside of me.
He’s picking the wrong goddamn day.
“We’ve agreed on the terms.”
“Be realistic,” Andrea says in her upper-class British accent. “That data is worth millions of dollars. It’s an asset sitting right there, waiting for us to use it. And you want to destroy it. It’s simply not good business.”
“You’re right,” I say, nodding along with her. “If all I cared about was making money, we’d sort the terms right now. We’d haggle and argue a little, then settle on seventy-thirty or thereabouts, on my end, obviously.”
They exchange a look, and I know I’m right. That’s a big part of the business. Watching people with the same intensity that a stunt skier watches the mountain.
“Then we’d sell this lovely stockpile of data to the highest bidder. There’s nothing illegal in it. It’s how many companies stay afloat. But not ours. We’ve never tracked our customers. We’re not doing it now. The answer’s no.”
Andrea huffs, throwing her hands up. “Jesus, we’re talking aboutmillionsof dollars in your pocket for no work. Just a few signatures.”
“I know this will seem shocking to you,” I snap. “But I don’t give a damn. All I’ve ever been is a man who wants people to get the thrill of riding down a mountain without a care in the world. The money came after. Your usual tactics – how this normally goes – forget them. Forget everything. Except for this.”
I step forward, looming over Logan. He flinches back, looking at Andrea as though she’s going to save him.
“I targeted your company like a predator. I saw all your TV shows, films, and video games failing. I saw it all crumbling down. I got you at a good price, but let’s face it, I’m doing you a favor. It’s because Ibelievein the company. I know how we can franchise through you. But let me be clear.”
I step even closer, looking at both of them, pumping with fire that might have nothing to do with them and everything to do with my woman and how we left things.
“If you make any last-minute plays, if you try to target my shareholders or stir up anything at all, I’ll walk away from the deal.”
“That would lose you millions!”
“I know, Logan, I know.” I grin widely, more like flashing my teeth like a wolf. “But that’s the thing. I don’t care. I’d be happy with a van, bike, and mountain.”
And my woman. Our family. Together. Always.
But they don’t need to know any of that.
“Your shareholders would turn on you,” Logan says, voice shaking.
“Would they?” Julian laughs darkly. “You assume everybody is as disloyal as you. He’s not bluffing.”
“So we’re supposed to just let that money disappear?” Logan snaps. “Millions like that.”
“It’s not money yet,” I say. “It’s data. We decide to make money when we sell it. But I’m not doing that, and Julian’s not doing it. Neither are you, Logan. Nor you, Andrea. Do you get it yet? If you’ve got attack formations moving into place, tell them to stand down, or I'll nuke this whole thing. Today.”
I turn back to the elevator, Julian at my side, as Logan stutters from behind us.
Andrea’s voice rises. “A second, Silas?”
I keep walking, my heart thudding.
