Page 151 of See You Maybe
“This is extremely unusual.” Townshend evidently felt like he needed to give it one more try. “We aren’t in the business of holding onto companies. You are essentially putting us in the electronics business.” He pivoted in his chair to face Declan, who noticed a thin sheen of sweat on the man’s brow.
Briefly, Declan wondered what Carrol had on the man, because no one had ever questioned Declan’s decisions before. Declan had been fully prepared to listen to the man’s complaints before sending him on his way, but the idiot made the mistake of smirking at Olivia before turning his gaze back to Declan.
“I understand there are certain other incentives here?—”
“Out,” Declan barked. The Armstrong staff jumped, before scrambling to their feet. He didn’t dare look at Olivia, because if she looked even the tiniest bit embarrassed, he was going to lose it.
“Declan, I don’t mean any offense. I’m sure Ms. Adler is?—”
“Declan,” Olivia said.
“Out. Now.” He didn’t look at her, but there was no mistaking the command in his voice. Declan heard her sigh, and then the door clicked shut behind her.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately,” Townshend said, his voice trembling slightly. “Alan told me you called off your engagement. He’s not an enemy you want, Declan.”
“Am I?”
The man blinked at him.
“You said he wasn’t an enemy someone would want.” Declan’s voice could have cut glass. “Are you implying I am? Because that is exactly what you are doing—making me your enemy.”
“Declan, I’ve known you a long time. This woman seems to have?—”
“This is the last warning you will ever receive from me.” Declan stared into the man’s eyes, satisfied when Townshend jerked back. “If I ever hear you refer to Ms. Adler in anything but the most glowing of terms, I will destroy you. You, your son and his ridiculous photography business, and whatever useless businesses your grandchildren grow up to create. Because god knows if they’ve inherited any of your intelligence, they will be disasters anyway.”
“Declan,” the man pleaded.
“We will repay you in full for the funds you have invested in Bloom Capital,” Declan said, rising to his feet. He lazily buttoned his suit jacket and walked away.
“You can’t threaten everyone who challenges me,” Olivia said, her lips pinched, when he entered her office, closing the door behind him.
“Yes, I can. Besides, that wasn’t about you. That was Alan Carrol thinking he could flex some imaginary muscle.” Declan shrugged. “A message needed to be sent.”
“To Alan Carrol?”
“To everyone.”
Olivia chewed her lip. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Without you going all cold and angry?”
He gazed back at her for a long moment until she sighed. “Is Bloom Communications really what you want, or is it you can’t stand to lose?”
Declan narrowed his eyes. “Is that what you think this is? You think I’ve done all this because I don’t like to lose?”
Olivia came to her feet and walked to where he stood rigid in front of her desk. She ran her hands over his biceps, coming to rest on his forearms. “I know it’s not all about that. But I’m worried regaining that company has become an obsession. Not the actual company, but the regaining control part of it. Of course, you want to avenge your father, regain his fortune for your family… but the actual running of the company? Is that what you want to do?”
Anger surged through him at her words.
“You said it yourself. No one ever gave you a real choice.” Olivia’s eyes pierced into him, like if she looked hard enough, she’d find the answer deep inside. “That job was forced on you, and yes, you were wildly successful, but you’d be successful at whatever you chose. Look at how fast you’ve built Bloom Capital.”
His body vibrated with tension. He couldn’t believe his ears. Bloom Communications was everything he had worked for. How could she ask him that?
“That’s an interesting question coming from someone who is fighting tooth and nail to keep a company that doesn’t even belong to her.”
“You’re angry. I understand. I’m only asking because… I don’t know…” Olivia blew out a breath. “Have you ever asked yourself if you’re happy? Truly happy?” She searched his eyes.