Page 82 of See You Maybe
“I’m not sure where you heard that story, but you are misinformed.”
Kyle raised his eyebrows mockingly, demonstrating his complete lack of self-preservation instincts. “I don’t think so. Of course, I’ll keep my mouth shut provided you buy my shares.”
Declan was seconds away from snapping him in half.
“I’m not paying you for your shares, and you should count yourself lucky that I don’t decide to tear your entire life apart, piece by piece, for your pathetic attempt to threaten me.” Declan stood, and Kyle’s eyes bulged, only belatedly realizing his mistake.
“This isn’t the end of this,” he blustered, but he practically ran from the room.
“What a sleazeball,” Cecile muttered. “Proves even smart women can get fooled by a pretty face.”
Declan barely heard her. Seething with rage, his heart thundered in his chest. He needed to calm down, get his head on straight. He stretched his fingers from where he’d had them clenched on his leg.
Kyle was a liability. Who would he tell? Would the story get back to Chris?
He knew Cecile was waiting for him to comment on Kyle’s accusations, but she also knew better than to question him directly.
“At least she came to her senses eventually,” Cecile mused.
Declan grunted and snapped the folders in front of him shut. He made a show of looking at his watch. “Let’s break for lunch and reconvene at two. We have two more senior executives this afternoon.”
Only when the door shut behind her did Declan allow his eyes to slam shut, and he exhaled hard. He picked up his phone and placed a call. “I want a man on Kyle Armstrong. Where he goes, who he sees, what fucking brand deodorant he prefers.”
Declan waited only long enough for Brady to answer in the affirmative before ending the call. He hesitated for a moment, and then quickly typed out another text. Feeling slightly calmer, he grabbed his keys.
It would be fine. He could keep her safe.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Atlanta—Present Day
Olivia stared at the text message on her phone, reading it for the fifth time.
Unknown: meet me at Riverwalk Park in 20 min. D.
“Olivia,” Stuart repeated. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes,” she said absently. “Kyle is throwing a tantrum in his office.”
Stuart frowned at her. “Are you okay? You’re suddenly flushed.”
“I’m fine. It’s just stress.”
His features relaxed. “I think you are going to be kept on. I explained to the Bloom Capital team how important you are, so I wouldn’t worry about anything Kyle said.”
Olivia supposed she should have expected it, but thinking of Kyle’s accusations the night before, she was suddenly nauseous. “What did he say?”
Stuart sighed. “That’s what I was trying to tell you. Sue heard him on the phone. They fired him. He has less than an hour to get out. He’s down there screaming it’s your fault and some other stuff, but it’s not important.”
His face turned red, and Olivia swallowed a groan.
Stuart’s voice was a little gleeful when he added, “No compensation for his shares, either.”
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Unknown: A response is required. D.
“Thanks for letting me know, Stuart, and I really appreciate your support. Hopefully, between the two of us, we can salvage something.” Olivia wiggled her phone in the air. “I forgot I have an appointment, but let’s touch base at the end of the day, and I’ll let you know what they say in my interview.”