“That has nothing to do with me. Bri will always be taken care of. She never needed your money. Make sure you hire a good lawyer. There’s no need to clean out your desk either.” We were going to press charges. Kameron and I already discussed it.
He walked out trying to slam the door in Bethann’s face, but Kameron had predicted his movements and was out of his seat quick. He caught the door and made sure security escorted him out of the building. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Kandon try to sneak out of the room. Before he made it to the other side of the table Kameron came storming back in with a grimace that almost spooked me.
“Explain why I shouldn’t have the board vote you out.” Kameron’s voice bounced off the walls. Kandon's shoulders dropped. He no longer looked like my older brother. Rather he looked like teenaged Kandon who was notoriously known for pushing our buttons until we snapped.
“Look, he started to make payments. Bri...”
“Enough of the excuses. How did you think he was going to pay four million dollars back when his salary doesn’t even come close to that? How long were you going to cover for him? Have you lost your mind? And you knew he was having an affair on your daughter and thought that was okay? You’re a worthless piece of shit.”
I saw the twitch in his eyes and jumped in between them. Turning and standing nose to nose. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll sit your ass down. Kameron gave you an ass whooping but I can guarantee what I’ll give you will hurt worse. Try me, Kandon. Please try me. I have nothing to lose. Try me.”
“Well damn.” Jacolby’s low remark made me smirk. While I was on the verge of rearranging my brother’s face she was getting turned on and I loved that shit.
“You can’t get rid of me,” he gritted.
“See that’s where you’re wrong.” I walked back around to where Jacolby sat. I needed to feel her peace. Needed to be in her space. As soon as I got a good whiff of her perfume it’s like my entire nervous system shifted and relaxed. I went from thinking of how I was going to tell our mom that I killed her son to wanting to lay out on the beach watching her prance around in a skimpy bikini.
“You may have the title of CEO but we all know I have company control with owning twenty-three percent of the shares. When decisions need to be made, I have three votes to your one. Do you really wanna test my level of power?” When our mother retired she set up the company the way she did for a reason.
Five percent of the company’s shares were owned by family. Our parent’s owned ten percent together. A combined trust fund for all the grandkids had ten percent. Quest, Quincey, Kameron, and Kandon owned thirteen percent each. And I had twenty-three percent. My extra ten came from our mom after she retired. She knew the heart of her eldest son. She knew he cared more about titles than the integrity of the company.
I’m a natural thinker. A problem solver. Logical and not controlled by greed, unlike Kandon. Giving me more shares while also giving me her and pop’s board votes placed me in a higher position than him. Kameron was too gentlehearted. Quest and Quincey would sell their shares before he ever had complete voting control. The decision was simple.
“Fuck both of you.” Kandon stormed out slamming the door.
“Wow. That went nice. I enjoyed the entertainment. Thanks for letting me watch.” Jacolby stood ready to leave until Kameron stopped her.
He looked at me for approval before speaking to her. Once I nodded, he ran down the same business plan he explained to me about expanding the business. We had everything needed to branch out except an accountant and that’s where she came in at. I knew this was right up her alley.
“I’m truly honored that you both want me to join in on this business adventure.” She touched her chest smiling all bright and wide. It’s crazy how her brightness removed all the bad energy that had once been in this room moments ago.
“The honor is truly ours. I know that your main priority is Pi Financial Services.” Speaking that name earned me a different type of look. One of surprise mixed with, dare I say, love. “Figure out a schedule that works for you and we’ll make it work.” I’d rearrange whatever needed to be done to keep her on board and close to me.
“Wow. I’m speechless right now. Thank you so much for considering me.” Her eyes lit up from the start of his conversation but had now simmered down to sulky pools of sadness. “I’m not…I can’t accept the offer.”
Kameron and both stood there in shock.
“My IT guys will be here by the end of the week to install the new bookkeeping software. If you have any issues, please contact me. Thank you so much for everything. Enjoy the rest of your evening, guys.” Brushing past us in a hurry, she fled out of the conference before either of us could say anything.
“You do know she only denied coming onboard because of you right?” His shoulders and head dropped. “I’d appreciate it if you fixed this and convinced her to change her mind.”
Damn, what the hell did I do?