“Fank you,” she said, taking them from Everly’s hand.
Everly offered a polite “Nice meeting you both” to Roman and Gianna and went in search of that waiter wandering around with filled champagne glasses, thinking, Well done, Mr. Hix. Well done.
She picked up her drink but took only one sip. The tart, bubbly liquid enticed Everly to indulge, but she couldn’t. Not when the stakes were so high. She wandered nearby but stayed at Hix’s back. As Roman described the unique “situation” he “found himself in” and laid out a generous offer for Austin’s company, Hix stood there, silent, giving Roman his attention while swaying gently side to side the way most mothers did, an unconscious rhythm developed over long nights spent soothing a child.
When Roman finished his pitch, Austin said, “So, let me see if I’ve got this right. You work for Titus now?”
“I’m on the board of directors, yes,” Roman said.
“Does Mr. Connelly know you plan to leave the company?”
“No, no,” Roman said, his voice low. “I hope we can keep that confidential.”
“I see. So you’re leaving the company, forming one of your own, and want to procure my company’s equipment and training services?”
“And our company will be three times the size of Titus, so you’ll be making three times the money.” Roman gave Austin one of those old-boy, gotcha smiles. “Don’t forget that part.”
“Right. That’s important, isn’t it?”
“Yes, sir. I knew a smart businessman like you would see that.”
“Uh-huh.” Pause.
Everly bit the inside of her lip. Don’t let me down, Hix. She wasn’t sure if she meant personally or professionally. Right now, it felt like both.
“You’re here at the behest of your current company to evaluate our services,” Austin said, “yet you’re really evaluating them for your own company. One that will be large enough to create near exclusivity.”
“I know how important it is to snap up quality services.”
“Seems you’ve pushed your way to the front of the line. And you’ve done it on your company’s dime. The company you’re leaving.”
“I won’t apologize for my methods,” Roman said. “Our business is war, after all.”
“Daddy,” Bella said. “I need go potty. And my hands sticky.”
“Okay, baby,” Austin said with his trademark patience. “Hold on for just a minute.” Then to Roman, Austin said, “Your business might be war, but my business is training. And I only do business with companies or governments I respect.”
“Well, you haven’t had a chance to get to know our company yet,” Roman said. “Let’s play a round of golf tomorrow and take our ladies out for dinner afterward. I can tell you everything you need to know.”
“I already know all I need to know, Mr. Coleman, and my answer is no thank you.” Austin glanced around. “Now,
I need to find a bathroom, don’t I, princess?”
“Mr. Hix,” Roman put a hand on Austin’s arm. “Wait just a minute. Give me a chance to—”
Austin met Roman’s gaze again and directly, forcefully said, “My business is an extension of my values. I live with integrity. And I don’t do business with any entity that doesn’t share those values. You, sir, have already demonstrated you don’t share them. Now, my most important mission at the moment is finding a bathroom for my daughter so I don’t walk around the rest of the night with pee on my shirt.”
“Daddy!” Bella said with mock seriousness.
He laughed and started past Roman and Gianna toward the main building and the restroom. “Enjoy your stay.”
Everly held her breath as Austin walked away, and Roman and Gianna looked at each other, then at Everly. She could tell by their expressions that they were surprised but not convinced.
“I want Everyee take me, Daddy.” The sound of Bella’s whine pushed Everly into action. She set her glass on a table nearby and started toward them.
She came up behind Austin and said, “I heard my name.”
“Oh, hey,” Austin said, easing Bella to her feet. “I’m sorry, she has to—”