Page 66 of Illicit Education
Friday morning came with a sense of anticipation so heady I was damn near drunk on it. Though my time with my intern this week had been incredible, we had yet to act on the attraction between us, and that magnetism was now a constant focus. Though I was proud of my restraint, my resolve grew weaker every day I was able to get to know Ms. Blake a little more. She was incredible on paper; in real life, I was completely intrigued by her mind, her spirit.
The way Rylan looked at the world was mesmerizing. I was in awe of the way she saw things, the way she comprehended each manuscript I allowed her to read. Her feedback rivaled that of my even my most experienced editorial team members
But, more important than whatever was building between myself and Rylan Blake, was the quickly approaching transfer of power from my father to his only son.
Today, I would be given the final opportunity to sway anyone who was still unsure of my abilities.
And then, the Reed Enterprises Board of Trustees would have the final vote.
It was enough to make a lesser man ill.
My body vibrated with anticipation. I was ready for anything they threw at me, and beyond ready to lead Reed Enterprises.
Having sent Rylan down to women’s fiction for the day, so as not to be distracted, I waited for Stella to give me word that the trustees had all arrived. When she finally appeared in the doorway to my office, I released a deep breath and nodded, then rose to my feet.
“They’re all here?” I asked Stella as I rounded my desk.
“Yes, sir.”
“My father?”
“Already seated.”
“And Travis?” I asked as we passed by my CFO’s empty office.
“Yes, sir.”
Nodding, I squared my shoulders and stepped into the opulent boardroom, my heart racing with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The air was heavy with the scent of power and authority, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee. These were the scents I’d grown up with, surrounded by men of influence and wealth.
Always with an undercurrent of malevolence.
That stopped with me.
As I walked toward the head of the table opposite my father, my footsteps echoed, the silence of each board member almost deafening as they watched me.
My father, a formidable man with piercing gray eyes watched me as I took my place. His assessing gaze met mine, as if he still questioned my very worthiness to take over the empire he had built.
Tension crackled in the air.
Filling the nine chairs on either side of the long table were the board of trustees, a collection of men and women who held the fate of Reed Enterprises—and me—in their hands, their expressions neutral but observant. If my intel was correct, I had the support of everyone in this room—even my father, though he would put on a show and make me work for his public approval, I had no doubt.
I was capable of steering this colossal ship towards even greater success, and they all knew it. Hell, half of them had been here long enough to witness the work my mother put into preparing me for this role, watched me grow and mature in front of their very eyes. Their love for the woman who raised me had gotten them through many a storm my father created. They no doubt looked at me now with hope in their hearts and a respect so profound I’d have to work the rest of my life to deserve it.
But that’s who my mother was to them, to this company, and to my father.
He was the storm; she was the lighthouse.
I took a deep breath, summoning the confidence I would need to get through this meeting. I had come prepared, with documents and financial statements that would prove my worth. The publishing division was Reed Enterprises largest triumph, and the domain I had navigated with unrivaled success for the past decade. Any doubt my father harbored, like a gust of wind threatening to extinguish the fire within me, only fueled my determination.
I glanced to my immediate right and met Travis’ gaze, then looked out at the members of the board, meeting each of their gazes in turn. Then I focused on my father.
“Good morning, esteemed members of the board,” I began, my voice steady even with the whirlwind of nervous energy brewing inside me. “Thank you for gathering here today to discuss the future of Reed Enterprises.”
My father's eyes narrowed, a silent challenge, but I pressed on, determined to prove myself in the face of adversity. He’d prepared me for this moment my entire life, challenging me every step of the way. Cabot Reed, Sr. was a hard ass, and I was the result of that upbringing.
I was ready to go to battle with the man, if need be, because he’d trained me to be a fighter. My mother, on the other hand, had trained me to handle this moment with dignity, pride, and respect. I’d go head-to-head with the old man if I had to, but I wouldn’t fight dirty.
Those were the two sides of me, always warring against one another.