The Daddy Box Set

“I’m great. Hoping to be better when I see your counteroffer.” Shit, I was actually nervous. I hadn’t been that nervous in long fucking time.

“Well then, I think you’re in luck. Have a seat, son. Wouldn’t want your knees buckling when you hear the news.” He slung his jacket across the back of his monstrous chair. My insides did that same strange thing they’d done the other day when he called me son. Now, however, was not the time to figure it out.

Richard ran a finger through his graying hair and smirked like a man who knew that he had the keys to the kingdom.

I slid into his client chair and positioned one leg over the other, leaning forward on my elbows. “Thanks for your concern, Richard, but I’m dying to see the offer.”

“Of course. Let’s get down to it, then. I know you’re a busy man. Wouldn’t want to keep you from that beautiful daughter of yours.” Guilt took hold in my stomach. Harper was at school.

The only daughter I’d be seeing for hopefully hours after this meeting would be his.

I slammed the lid shut on the feeling. I wasn’t going to go there. Not that day. All of my fucking dreams were about to come true. That was all that mattered.

Richard reached into a drawer and pulled out a blue folder before sliding it over to me with precision. His desk was so polished that the folder slid easily across it, coming to rest right at the tips of my fingers. I nearly ripped the damn folder in my haste to get to its contents.

“You’ll want to have your people look over it, too, but I wanted to get you in here in person to discuss it.” His eyes glinted with satisfaction as he watched me pore over the contract.

All the moisture that should’ve been in my mouth was missing when I was done scanning the contract.

Gabrielle was right. The man hadn’t called without being absolutely sure that he had me dead to rights. He had beat every single one of my other offers. And then some.

“Like I said, I spoke to the bean counters, and I think that we’ll be able to make this happen. We believe that we’ll be able to pull the funds together if we make a few of the planned changes. I’m sure you would have noticed that the other terms are also far more favorable than most of the other contracts.”

My heart hammered in my chest. Sure, I’d have my people look it over, but I was pretty damn sure that it was going to come out on top of the pile of offers I had waiting on my agent’s desk.

Richard insisted on going over every term of the contract with me, pointing out various clauses that the team deemed non-negotiable and others that were pretty standard. He was right about it being more favorable than the others to me all around.

“Of course, we’ve already had it sent over to your people. We need an answer from you within the next few days.” He got up, indicating that our meeting had come to an end.

“Sure, I’ll do you one better and have your answer for you by tomorrow.” I meant it. Before I went over to Gabrielle’s, I was calling a meeting with my team. This decision was being made today, even if it took the rest of the day and all night.

I already knew what I wanted to do, and unless they could give me a damn compelling reason not to take it, it was a done deal as far as I was concerned. My team worked for me, after all.

So ultimately, the decision rested with me. I didn’t believe that there was anything hidden or untoward about the offer, but I’d have them check it like the good boy that I wasn’t, and then send them to hell in a handbasket if they tried to stand in my way.

“Glad to hear it. You’re an asset to this team, James. We would hate to lose you. I hope that you make the right decision.” He knew me well enough to know that my mind was 100 percent made up, barring something seriously fucked up being hidden in the jargon.

Richard grinned as we shook hands. “Thanks, Rich, I think that I will.”

I got ready to leave and was already headed for the door when we were interrupted by a curt knock. Olivia didn’t wait for an answer before throwing open the door, a seriously pissed-off looking Gabrielle in tow

.

What in the actual fuck? What’s going on here?

Gabrielle’s expression changed as soon as she spotted me standing in the office with Richard. She looked just as confused as I was. Her eyes flitted between me, Richard, and Olivia. Her features tightened with apprehension.

Richard, on the other hand, looked furious. “Olivia, interrupting a meeting is unacceptable. Gabrielle, I’m wrapping up here. Whatever is going on, it can wait five more seconds. You cannot show up and demand to see me immediately. We’ve had this talk, and I don’t recall seeing an appointment with you on my calendar for today.”

The vein in his temple throbbed, and heat rose from under his collar.

Olivia looked flustered. Then she met Richard’s eyes, her jaw set in a determined line and her shoulders squared. She straightened her pencil skirt, took a deep breath, and stammered into her explanation.

“I do apologize, sir. I know that I’m not to interrupt meetings. I didn’t let Gabrielle convince me to let her in immediately. I called her and asked her to come in. I simply thought that it was best to apprise you of this situation immediately while they were both here.”

“What is the meaning of this?” Richard’s voice was dangerously calm, his eyes shooting fire at Olivia while darting curiously between myself and Gabrielle.

“I think there’s something that you should know, sir. I am quite sure that that there is something going on between James and Gabrielle. I know you have rules against that kind of fraternization.”