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“Astor Construction.” I don’t need to add more. The name is powerful in itself.
My partner’s quiet as he thinks over the different options. I can practically see the wheels turning in his brilliant mind. If one of the Astor brothers wants me to work in person, that’s exactly what will happen. You don’t turn down clients like them. Zach and I both know it.
“We have very good employees, McKenzie. Did you point that out to him?”
“Of courseI pointed it out to him.”
“I had to ask,” Zach says in self-defense.
“I... uh.. kind of have some personal business with him. I guess he figures he’s killing two birds with one stone.”
“Personal... or business?” he slowly asks.
I never share anything personal with anyone. Okay, except maybe tiny snippets with Jewell, but even that’s rare. Zach knows this, so I’m a bit peeved with the question, but I’m the one who opened the can of worms.
“Does it matter?” I ask. “Hethinks it’s personal. I don’t.”
“Okay, you’re going to play things close to your vest. That’s what you always do, but I think you should take time and think about this. Yes, we can use the boost we’ll get from having a client as powerful as Astor Construction, but it can also kill us if this man has a private agenda against you. If he disses our business, we’ll be royally screwed.”
Zach’s always the voice of reason, and I think about his words for a moment before speaking. “Byron Astor is an ass of the highest order. And though he’s gunning for me, I don’t think he’s unethical in business. If I do the job well, which of course I will, I doubt he’ll slander us. My working there will bring us a lot of money for the actual job, and the word of mouth will immeasurably help our company.”
“Well, then, I guess you’re going to take the job,” Zach says, his smile back in place.
“And I’ll work nights here,” I promise.
“I can handle things here. You already don’t sleep enough. I’ll bring in a temp employee to keep up with the crap work; you just worry about securing us a good full-time position with Astor Construction,” he says, springing down from my desk.
“I can’t walk away from the work here, Zach.”
“You can take a break from here, with daily emails and phone calls from me to assure yourself we aren’t going under. This will build our business,” he tells me, looking more professional than I’ve ever seen him before. Gone is the carefree look he wears so well.
“I don’t know how this company could survive without you, Zach,” I say in a rare moment of open praise.
“Of course it wouldn’t survive, sweetie.Youwouldn’t survive a day without me,” he says, then surprises me when he moves around my desk, kneels in front of me, and grabs one of my hands. “Don’t let this upset you. You’re McKenzie Freaking Beaumont, badass businesswoman.”
I smile at the combination of his serious tone and flippant words. “I appreciate you, Zach,” I say while tugging against his hold. I don’t do well with casual touching. Zach knows exactly what I’m thinking as he quickly lets me go. He throws me a brilliant smile, then stands and walks from the room.
I don’t allow myself to dwell any further on Byron Astor. I have a lot of work to do before Monday, and there’s no time like the present to start. I’ll prove to myself and to Byron that I know my stuff. And, more importantly, I’ll survive the challenge Byron’s throwing my way. Not only will I survive it, I’ll excel.
Chapter Five
Byron
“What in the hell are you up to now?”
“Excuse me?”
I knew I’d get this reaction from Blake. That’s what big brothers do. But I wasn’t expecting him to come barging into my office at the crack of dawn to yell at me. I hoped Blake wouldn’t notice McKenzie’s been here working. He was a big help to her when she wanted to go out on her own, openly supporting her. For me to bring her back is surely pissing my brother off, as he’ll consider it setting her back.
Because I have her working in the office adjoining my own, my brother was bound to see her, but since Blake married, he’s worked more and more from home — when he isn’t at a construction site. I was crossing my fingers I’d get away with this with zero consequences. It’s only Wednesday, and McKenzie’s worked here for three days now. I got caught much quicker than I thought I would.
“You have McKenzie working here. Don’t play stupid with me, Byron.”
“Stupid?”
“Yep. You got it in one. In our last conversation, you told me you despised the woman and thought she screwed up my life,” Blake says, hands on his hips as he glares at me.
“She opened an accounting company,” I tell him. “We’re in need of an accountant.”
