This meeting was a means to an end.
A means to end a family debt.
And she was going to pay it.
Two
Wyatt
Vickie knocked on the door. “Annette phoned from the lobby. Are you expecting someone named Kayla Dauler? Apparently, she’s downstairs.”
Wyatt looked up from his laptop. “Dauler?” He pressed his lips together. He didn’t have time to pry for details. “Yes. I am. We are,” he corrected. “Send her up and let Jason know.”
“I will take care of it. Not a problem.” She smiled.
“Good. Tell him we can meet in here.” He slammed the screen shut and pushed back from his desk. “Clear my schedule for the next hour at least.”
“Anything else?” she asked.
“We don’t want to be disturbed.” He eyed her with a dark stare.
“Understood, sir.” She closed the double doors behind her.
Wyatt leaned in his seat. This wasn’t the arrangement he wanted, but he didn’t see what options there were. He had always been logical and pragmatic in his approach to business deals. This one made him color outside the lines more than he ever had before. He didn’t want to admit it made him uneasy.
Five minutes later his business partner waltzed into office, cocky and arrogant as usual.
“You mind telling me what the fuck this is all about? Who is this girl and why is she here?” Jason Wentmore’s voice was deep and boisterous as he slammed the door behind him.
Wyatt walked around to the front of his desk. Jason was already busy pouring a drink. Bourbon straight.
He didn’t have much time to talk Jason into this. It was rare he made a decision like this without him, but it had happened late last night. Jason had gotten in from an east coast tech conference.
“How was Boston?” he asked.
Jason rolled his eyes. “I ate lobster, fucked a waitress, and made us a five-million dollar acquisition. Ok I guess.” He shrugged.
“Glad you enjoyed yourself.” Wyatt leaned on the edge of the couch. “I need you to hear me out for a minute.”
“Sure. Anything brother.” Jason grinned.
“Remember Lana Tatum?” Wyatt prodded.
“Of course. She left six months ago. Marketing hasn’t been the same since. That department is a revolving door. We can’t keep anyone in there.”
“Well, while you were gone I found her replacement.”
“Hell, Wyatt. I don’t give a shit who gets hired to run marketing. I want it taken care of. Leave me out of the hiring process. You know I don’t get involved in those details.”
The dark brooder eyed his friend. “That might be, but I think I need to bring you in on this hire.”
“I’m listening.” He slung the drink back.
“The Mancettis backed out of the resort deal yesterday.”
“What?”
Wyatt knew he finally had Jason’s attention.