by Chelle Bliss
“It’s the only way to go.”
“You’re right.”
Standing near the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the conference room, I stare at the bustling city below after Josh leaves. There’s no way in hell I’m going to allow years of work to be stolen by Cozza and their infamous CEO, Antonio Forte.
Little is known about the man, the myth, the legend that is Mr. Forte. Since he was appointed head of Cozza International, he’s become somewhat of a recluse—at least when it comes to public events and cameras. The one thing I know about him is that he is a vulture. Most likely, he’s a portly old man, sitting alone in a dark room with nothing else to do but prey on the weaker companies surrounding his precious Cozza. He’s knocked off competition over the years without an ounce of remorse, and I vowed that would never happen to us.
Even if Josh has reservations about leading with the original agenda, it’s the right plan. As the minutes tick by and the board members enter the room, my anxiety heightens.
Interstellar board members’ sole purpose is to look out for the interest of the shareholders, which number in the millions. We have five board members, and each has very different agendas, but they all have the best interest of the company at heart.
Mr. Grayson is the first to enter, as is always the case. The older gentleman wouldn’t know how to be late if his life depended on it. “Nice to see you, dear.” He greets me the same every time, giving me a handshake and a wink. If anyone else would refer to me as “dear,” I would probably take offense, but when Grayson says it, I kind of melt a bit. Maybe it is the fact that he reminds me more of a grandfather or my father, whom I miss so terribly that I embrace the term of endearment.
Next in the room is the cold and often calculating Ms. Edwards. Mr. Edwards, her ex-husband, used to run Interstellar, but after a very embarrassing scandal that dealt with his treatment of women at the company, not only did he step down, but his wife took him to the cleaners. I clapped for her…silently, of course. But she didn’t let what her husband did keep her down. After she took his shares of the company, she walked into Interstellar like she owned the place. With the amount of shares she held, she practically did.
As the others arrive, my hearing becomes more acute, listening to the murmuring of the people in the room as they speak. I shake hands and greet everyone before I make my way to the head of the table. All the while, I never stop thinking of a way to stop the impending takeover.
When all board members have been seated, I clear my throat and wait for the room to quiet down. “Ladies and gentlemen.” I pause for their complete attention before continuing. “You’re here today to approve the final phase of our newest invention. The engineering team has finalized an engine that does not require fuel of any sort and is ready for testing before we begin production.”
Murmurs start, members turning to the person sitting at their side, all talking quietly with smiles on their faces. I hear the word amazing more than once.
Pacing behind their chairs, I watch them closely. Is the traitor among them? I can’t imagine that’s possible since this is the first they’re hearing that the project is ready to move forward. “If you’ll open the packet in front of you, you’ll find the specs and information on how the engine works, including the findings the design team have been able to verify through their testing thus far.”
I walk around the room quietly as they read the packet that has been prepared for them, studying each person’s face for a tell or any sign of betrayal, because in my mind everyone is a suspect. The voices grow louder, and the excitement becomes tangible.
“This is truly spectacular, Ms. Bradley,” Mr. Grayson states.
As the longest serving member of the board, he’s been too loyal to Interstellar to sell us out.
I smile. “Thank you, sir.”
“How exactly does the engine work?” the newest member of the board, Mr. Connors, asks and instantly piques my curiosity.
I never liked Tad Connors. He always has a question, and there’s something about him that keeps me on edge. Maybe it’s the way his eyes linger a little too long on my legs when I wear a skirt or his perpetual quest to find out the exact information I’d never reveal.
“I can’t divulge that information. The patent is still pending, and leaking the details, even to the board, wouldn’t be in the best interest of Interstellar.”
He runs his hand backward against his hair, making sure every strand is perfectly slicked back. “Understood.”
“All I can say is that it will change the aerospace industry forever. Imagine being able to reach Mars without an ounce of rocket fuel to power the vehicle. Or flying to Europe without hundreds of gallons of jet fuel to pollute the environment.”
“Astonishing.” Tad relaxes back in the high-back leather chair, watching me closely as I pace the length of the room.
But today, I wore pants to keep his eyes on the prize instead of my calves.
“If we approve the final testing today, production can be started in under three months, and the first Interstellar engine can be in the air in well under a year.”
“That soon?” Ms. Edwards’s perfectly plucked black eyebrows shoot up before a small grin spreads across her thin red lips.
“Yes, ma’am. There’s nothing stopping us once we prove the design is safe and reliable.”
“How certain are we of that the test will work?” Mr. Jameson asks before I can say another word.
In his mid-sixties and extremely wealthy, along with being drop-dead gorgeous for a silver fox, he isn’t in it for the money. He believes in the company and our dreams for the future. Mainly he’s driven by the dreams of his children. His oldest, Bennett, is in the Air Force with hopes of entering the space program someday.
“Based on the initial test data, the work of the design team, and the report on my desk, I’d say that I’m fairly confident the engine will work as planned without an issue.” Returning to my spot at the head of the table, I pray I won’t have to eat my words.
Ms. Kirby, the member with a legal background who always seems to worry about the legalities more than our legal department, pipes in before I can put it to a vote. “So, by doing the test, we’re announcing to the world the new project. Has Interstellar taken the necessary steps to patent the invention and keep as much detail from leaking into the wrong hands? We want to maximize the potential growth for Interstellar and their stockholders, along with protecting the future assets of the company.”
I want to growl as a warning for her to back off. The entire company has been working on the project in some form, and we did everything possible. “Yes, Ms. Kirby, we have taken the necessary steps, including patenting the technology.” There is no time to waste and more business to discuss, which will hit on Ms. Kirby’s second part of the question. “Let’s vote. All in favor.”
One by one, I count the raised hands around the table even though everyone has theirs in the air. A unanimous decision is exactly what I had expected when I called the meeting yesterday.
“It’s unanimous. The final step in testing will be scheduled. I’ll send a memo when we have a date for members to attend.”
Before I can continue, Mr. Grayson starts to push back from the table. “Thank you.” He stands, and all members start to follow suit.
“We have one other item to discuss.”
Mr. Grayson turns toward me, his eyebrows turned inward when his eyes meet mine.
“This morning something came to my attention.” The twelve sets of eyes around the table are glued to me. I clear my throat, looking above them for a moment. The room becomes silent, almost deafening.
In all the board meetings, I’d presided over, never had I introduced something not on the original agenda. “Cozza International purchased a minority stake in Interstellar this morning. As you all know, Cozza is our main competitor. Based on this information, I’m expecting an announcement soon about their plan to take over Interstellar. I feel that by their purchasing the st
ake in the company, it’s in our best interest to speed up the engine testing to help boost the price of the stock and stave off any further stock grabs by Cozza.”
“How can this be?” Mr. Grayson slams his fist down on the conference table, acting out in a way I’d never expected.
The murmurs of excitement from earlier now change to panic. “Ladies and gentlemen of the board,” I call out, trying to gain control of the room, but I keep my voice even. “We need to work together, along with the executive team, to find a way to stop Cozza from taking possession of Interstellar. I find it unsettling that their takeover attempt falls on the heels of our newest breakthrough, but we must forge on and do everything in our power to stop them. We need to make sure they are not able to purchase any more stock in Interstellar and do everything in our power to stop their advances.”
“How?” Ms. Edwards asks while nervously stroking her neck.
“There has to be a way to stop them. If you’re approached by anyone from Cozza, it’s imperative that you don’t speak with them and under no circumstances sell them your shares. They need to purchase a majority stake in the company in order to complete their takeover. The legal team, in conjunction with other executives, will be formulating a plan to halt them in their tracks and put the takeover to bed.”
“Forte has stooped to a new low,” Mr. Grayson says through gritted teeth, the wrinkles around his eyes growing deeper. “Cozza tried this years ago and was unsuccessful. I’m sure they’ll be stopped this time, too.” Even though he speaks the words, I don’t feel the conviction in his voice.
I grip the back of my chair and dig my fingernails into the soft leather. “I’ll keep everyone updated on our progress, and we’ll be working around the clock to find a solution.”
Tad stands and rubs the back of his neck. “Do we know who the mole is?”
“We don’t,” I inform the group, even though the list has grown shorter as the meeting went on. There’s too much money to be made for them to sell out Interstellar and share our secrets with the competition. That only leaves a member of the design team as the sellout. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters now is that we stop them.”
“Exactly,” Josh states, finally adding to the conversation and coming to stand at my side. “Rest assured this is our first priority.”
I lean into his space. “Finally,” I whisper without moving my lips.
He keeps his eyes pinned to the board members. “I’ll always have your back,” he whispers back to me.
“Let’s adjourn so that we may get started on finding a solution as soon as possible,” I announce, walking away from Josh and heading toward the door to shake the board members’ hands as they exit.
“Let me know if I can be of help,” Ms. Edwards says with a small smile before strutting down the hallway in her knee-high Louboutin boots and skintight black skirt.
“Bradley.” Tad stops in front of me, catching my attention. “When you find the mole, you cut him off at the knees. We’re too close to something amazing and world-changing to allow the credit to go to Cozza.”
“Agreed.” I stare into his eyes.
He couldn’t be the one.
He’s too money hungry and knows what the invention would mean for his bottom line.
“I’ll do what’s necessary, Tad.” I smile and hold my breath until he walks out.
“Lauren.” Mr. Grayson shakes my hand. “You have my entire legal team at your service. I’ve been with Interstellar too long to allow Cozza to take the credit for all your hard work. We’re too close to something that will revolutionize the entire industry.”
“I know, Mr. Grayson.” I study his aged face.
The deep wrinkles near his dark brown eyes give him character and make him appear kinder than everyone knows him to be. The man’s a pit bull and would take out any enemy that got in his way.
“I promise to protect Interstellar.”
He pats the top of my hand. “Thank you, dear.”
I give his hand a small squeeze before he walks out and I turn to find an empty boardroom. Standing here, I close my eyes and give myself exactly five seconds to let fear seep inside. Just enough time to allow it to finally hit home. I count to five and then head straight to my office to start to deal with Cozza.
As I shut my office door, I lean against it. The enormity of what’s transpired is enough to crush me. How could this possibly be happening? I thought I had done everything in my power to surround myself with the best people—the most loyal, most driven. But there is a mole somewhere. Why now? It’s too close to the engine development to be coincidence. This is calculated and led by someone in-house who spilled the news of the design to our competition. When everything seemed to be clicking into place, the bottom dropped out, and now I must do everything in my power to fix it.
I push off the door and head toward my desk to devise a plan, one which starts with my VP. “Cassie, get Josh in here and take messages on any calls today. We’re not to be disturbed.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Cassie replies before I disconnect the call.
I won’t leave the office until I have confidence that our team has a solution.
I wouldn’t go down.
Not now.
Not like this.
Not ever.
Chapter Six
Lauren
Twelve hours later, I stumble out of the office, completely exhausted. My head’s spinning from all the jargon and different scenarios we ran through for how to stop Cozza in its tracks.
I want a martini—scratch that, I need a martini. Probably more than one, if I’m being honest. The W Hotel’s just down the street and their bartender makes the best drinks in town. It’s my go-to place when I need to unwind after a long day, and it’s on my way home. The dark lighting and calming colors make it the perfect atmosphere to gather my thoughts and relax.
I place my order, shrug off my knee-length Michael Kors coat, and take a seat on a barstool, far from anyone who may want to chitchat. I watch the bartender mix the martini, waiting for my first sip while my mouth salivates and I take in my exhausted features in the mirror behind the bar.
Being on top causes more stress than I could ever fully explain to another person not in my shoes. Every employee, shareholder, and board member looks to me for leadership. Who could I go to for help when there are moments that make me question my sanity?
No one.
There isn't a single person I could share my doubts, fears, or moments of madness with who wouldn’t consider me weak. Not even my family would understand the weight I have on my shoulders. Therefore, I turn to the only good listener I know–vodka.
It helps to take the edge off without me having to spill my guts to a stranger and end up with a prescription for something that would numb my mind and make me useless as CEO. I need to stay sharp. I need to be alert and aware of the people trying to take me down and destroy Interstellar.
I lift the glass to my lips, inhaling the salty splendor before I take a small sip.
Heaven.
“Is this seat taken?” a man asks at my right, interrupting my moment of bliss as the second mouthful slides down my throat.
I motion toward the empty seat without a word, not bothering to look at him. The last thing I want to do is make small talk with a stranger. Talking means not drinking. Not drinking means thinking.
My mind’s too much of a mess, and I need to calm the chaos inside if I’m ever going to get to sleep.
Ignoring his presence, I continue savoring each sip and stare at the picture hanging above the mirror behind the bar. It’s a simple work—an aerial view of the Chicago skyline at night. Each building is lit up, standing tall and beautiful.
Everything looks unimportant from so high in the air. The people are invisible from above, the city appearing as lonely as I feel. The struggles, fears, and panic below can’t be seen, but they are happening in different people’s lives at the moment that photo was snapped.
I may dislike Tre
nt and regret every moment I spent in his bed, but there’s one thing I miss—being close to someone. Working with him made it easy to share the day-to-day challenges I felt while climbing the corporate ladder. He understood. But in the end, it wasn’t enough to keep me at his side.
I had my martini, the bar, and an empty apartment, but no complication from a jealous boyfriend. Some things had to be put on hold in order to attain the level of success I’ve achieved in such a short time. Relationships often led to marriage, which led to kids. I didn’t have time to devote to a family and still work to my best ability at Interstellar.
Setting my glass down, I rest my cheek on my hand and twirl the stem of the glass between my fingertips. I keep staring at the photo, wondering if I’d make a difference in the world. After my time passes, would I have created enough of an impact to make all the sacrifices worth it? What are wealth and success worth if there’s no one there to savor the moment with you?
“Is it always this chilly in May?”
His sexy accent makes the hair on the back of my arm stand straight up as if being beckoned by the deep purr.
“Yes.” I’m almost frozen in place with my hand still on my glass.
When he lifts his hands to his mouth, blowing into his palms before rubbing them together, I almost sneak a glance, but something stops me.
“I’ll never get used to the cold.”
“No one ever does.”
He pulls his stool closer, and I catch a whiff of his expensive cologne. “Why live here, then?”
Between his scent and the sound of his voice, I know I’m a goner if he’s handsome. “It’s where I was born and where I’ll die.” Even when I went to school in Boston, I longed for the grittiness of Chicago.
“No one is ever trapped. Why not move?”
“I work here. It’s where my life is, and I also love this city.” I take another sip, keeping my eyes straight ahead.
He finally takes a sip of his drink. “It’s beautiful for an American city.”
