Page 83 of On His Terms
As he came, he tipped back his head, consumed by one blazing realization.
Chelsea was his.
And he intended to have her.
Chapter Ten
“What is this?” Scowling, Alex glanced at Gavin.
“Have a look yourself.” His younger brother hedged with a shrug. “Worth considering.”
Alex picked up the glossy blue presentation folder from the middle of the conference room table.
As typical, on Friday after lunch, they met with some of their managers to discuss what had happened in the days prior. The team also strategized about where they were going and set expectations for the upcoming weeks. Mostly the time together ensured he had no blind spots so that nothing slipped through the cracks, like it had in the past. The company—and their clients—deserved it, even though it was a big-time commitment.
He snapped his back teeth together when he saw the front of the glossy packet was embossed with their logo…and that of You’re The Star. Chelsea’s company.
Persistent didn’t begin to cover the extent of her determination.
Despite himself, he flipped open the cover.
Inside were numerous full-color documents, all containing various ideas for PR events. Naturally, handled by her—for a nice fee.
What was surprising, but shouldn’t have been, was the amount of detail she’d included. Timelines, possible venues, suggestions for catering, charities to consider helping, resources required, commitments needed from him, Gavin, and the team. She’d done her research well, with no feedback from him. “Where the hell did you get this?” He studied his brother.
“Arrived by courier yesterday afternoon, addressed to the office manager. She gave it to me since you were working from home.”
So Chelsea had paid the expense to have it hand delivered. Impressive. “You know who put this together, don’t you?”
“Yeah. Your trainee.”
Alex flipped the proposal closed and tapped his finger with finality, then slid the packet back to the middle of the table. “That would mean mixing business with pleasure.” He dropped into his chair at the head of the table. “It’s a bad combination, and you know it.”
“Is it? I think you’re letting your relationship—or whatever the hell you two have—cloud your judgment. She’s right that we could use the positive PR. We’ve had a couple of conversations about our current company. That’s been on the agenda more than once. They collect payment every month, but what do we get in return?” Gavin allowed his question to hang in the air.
After picking up his water bottle, Gavin added, “When’s the last time you saw anything this comprehensive?”
“Firms do anything to win business.” Which they knew all too well. “Retaining it is another matter.”
“It’s time to consider making changes. The company we’re using is great at crisis management. That’s their specialty, and they‘ve earned their money. But we need to keep our name out there, and doing things that give us a good name is crucial. We need to terminate our contract with them and move on.”
Though he agreed in principle, he couldn’t work with Chelsea. “This isn’t the right option.”
“One of the reasons we have meetings is to look at places where we need to be more thoughtful.” Gavin twisted the lid on his drink, then leveled a hard look at Alex. “You’re not being objective.”
Fuck that. Even if it was true. “And you’re proposing a risk that we shouldn’t take.”
The first of their management team arrived, then, as if sensing the tension between the brothers, headed straight for the cookies and power drinks.
“Consider it,” Gavin suggested.
Alex didn’t respond.
An hour and a half later, working on projections in his home office, the unresolved conversation still rankled.
At two minutes before three o’clock, a car engine shut off.
Alex glanced up from his computer screen and turned to look out the window of his study. Unsurprisingly, Chelsea was right on time.