When they arrived for the meeting, it appeared that all of the key players were in the conference room waiting with a mixture of curiosity and expectancy on their faces.
Jace glanced around the room while escorting Shana toward the front with him. He would be sitting at the head of the table, and he had asked his administrative assistant to reserve a chair for Shana at his right and two chairs for his brothers on his left. This would be the first official meeting he would hold as CEO. He had made his rounds yesterday morning and met briefly with every man and woman in the room at the time. All had kind words to say about his grandfather, and Jace recalled having seen many of them at the memorial service. However, he knew they were all wondering what was on his mind. The rumor mill was hard at work, and Jace needed to get control quickly and decisively.
“Good morning. I appreciate your flexibility in changing your schedules to accommodate this meeting. However, we have an important matter that needs to be discussed,” he began, glancing around the table.
“To put it bluntly, Granger Aeronautics has lost a number of major clients over the past twelve months, and I intend to find out why so that we can reclaim our position as the number one provider of aerospace products and services. To do so, Shana Bradford of Bradford Crisis Management will be working with us in the coming weeks. Her firm has a stellar reputation for reinventing companies.”
A hand rose, and Jace recognized the tall man with the bald head as Cal Arrington, third VP and currently in charge of the products and designs division. He had held that position for close to fifteen years. “Yes, Cal?”
“Honestly, Jace, do you think such a move is necessary? I agree we need to consider better ways to market our products, but the clients we do have are firm. I don’t believe your grandfather would have considered such a move.”
He saw several department heads nod, agreeing with Cal. Jace had known he wouldn’t get everyone to buy into what he was doing. “Yes, I think the move is necessary and is one my grandfather would have considered. In fact, he had planned to do so before his untimely death.”
He hadn’t mentioned it to Shana or his brothers, but when he worked late that night, he had remembered the code his grandfather had given him years ago to access a special folder in Richard’s computer—it was Jace’s name spelled backward along with Sheppard’s date of birth. The folder contained Richard’s thoughts and concerns that he would jot down for future use. Jace had seen Richard’s notes that outlined the idea of bringing on Shana’s firm because he suspected someone had shared trade secrets with a rival company.
He looked over at Freeman, who was sitting at the table with tight lips. Jace figured the man was probably annoyed that Jace hadn’t run the idea by him first. “I’m giving the floor to Ms. Bradford, who will advise you about what information she needs from each of your departments. She will be working in the office next to mine, and I’m hoping her presence will assure every employee that I am taking steps to regain Granger’s position as number one in the aerospace industry.”
He glanced around the room. There were those who, like Cal, hadn’t bought into the idea, and the expressions on their faces made it obvious. But then there were others who, by their nods and smiles, clearly agreed with his bold move.
Shana stood. “Good morning.”
Jace leaned back in his chair, confident that Shana was capable of handling things from there. He knew she would win some over, and others she would not. But in the end, she had a job to do, and there was no doubt in his mind that she would do it and do it well.
After her presentation, the questions began in earnest, and she fired back the answers. He glanced around the room, and he saw a level of respect in some eyes and wariness in others. One or two tried being forceful with their thoughts and ideas, and she stood her ground, the authority and confidence in her tone putting several on notice that she was not a pushover. His admiration of her went up another notch.
He felt Dalton’s eyes on him and glanced over at his brother, who appeared to have an intense yet secretive expression on his face. Jace stared back at his brother before switching his gaze to Shana once more, wondering what game Dalton was playing.
Twenty minutes later, the meeting ended with the executives and managers heading out the door with muttered remarks, both approving and disapproving. Shana glanced over at Jace. “I didn’t expect to win them all over.”
He nodded. “Neither did I, but you’re here now, and one day the naysayers will appreciate your presence when the company moves forward.”
Caden patted Jace on the back. “Both Granddad and Dad would have been proud of how you handled the old guard today, Jace. When it comes to this kind of stuff, you’re a true leader. I bet Cal is concerned because he hasn’t brought on a new project in years.”
Jace lifted a brow. “And how would you know that?”
Caden chuckled. “You aren’t the only one spending his time reading. Thought I would do as much as I could before I left next week.” Caden would be leaving for a couple of weeks to perform at two previously scheduled concerts in New York that were too costly to get out of.
Jace glanced over at Dalton, who was still sitting at the table and not saying a word. “So how do you think the meeting went, Dalton?”
Dalton didn’t say anything for a while and then stood. “Caden’s right, you’re the right one to come in here and kick asses into shape or out the door. Freeman’s pissed, although he’s trying not to show it. I could hear the sound of his teeth grinding when you introduced Shana. He doesn’t want her here. I think he feels threatened again. And I agree with Caden. Dad and Granddad would have been proud of how you handled things. Caden’s right. You’re a true leader.”
“Thanks.”
Dalton then turned his attention to Shana and smiled. “For some reason, they see you as a threat, Ms. Bradford, and I’m curious as to why. I understand that no one likes change, but I felt it was more than that.”
Jace lifted a brow, intrigued by his brother’s observation. He hadn’t truly expected it. “Why?”
Dalton shrugged, and then his smile widened. “Not sure, but I’m sure Ms. Bradford will make it her business to find out. Won’t you?”
Shana returned his gaze. “Yes, I will definitely find out.”
It didn’t take long for word to spread through Granger Aeronautics that Bradford Crisis Management was not only on board but intended to bring the firm back up to snuff. Jace had encouraged all his department heads to meet with their teams to squash any rumors that needed addressing. Freeman had sought him out after the meeting, claiming the stockholders’ meeting hadn’t been his idea but had been initiated by a concerned stockholder. Jace knew that wasn’t the case but hadn’t called the man out on it. All he cared about was getting Grangers back on top, and he felt he had a chance with Shana’s help.
* * *
During the following week, Jace noticed an improvement in morale among the employees. Smiles were in place, and he was met with friendly greetings when he passed through the halls to visit various departments for cross-training. Not surprisingly, Freeman had resigned, and as far as Jace was concerned, he had done the right thing since he could no longer be trusted.
Jace worked late every night, and so did Shana. He was well aware that she was still in the office, hard at work, when he left each day. He made a habit of sticking his head in the door to bid her good-night, and usually she was so buried in the various reports she was reading that she didn’t bother to glance up. She would merely throw her hand up to acknowledge she’d heard him.
* * *
At the end of the day, Dalton walked into his office and dropped down in the chair across from his desk. “We need to talk, Jace.”
Jace pushed aside the papers he’d been reading, giving Dalton his undivided attention. “All right. What’s going on?”
“I can’t handle being at Sutton Hills and will look for a place in town.”
Jace didn’t say anything for a few moments as he nodded slowly. Then he said ruefully, “To be honest, you lasted longer than I thought you would.”
Dalton met his gaze and then released a deep sigh. “I was worried you would think I wasn’t going to uphold my end of the promise.”
“No, I don’t think that. Besides, thanks to you, we were able to buy back all those shares, which put us in a good position. Even Dad said it was a good move on our part when I talked to him on the phone.”
Jace, Caden and Dalton were preparing for the trip to visit their father this weekend, and it was a visit that Jace was looking forward to making. He was sure the same held true for Caden. However, he couldn’t help but be concerned for Dalton. Although his brother had expressed a desire to see their father, Jace knew how hard it would be for him. Of his own choice, Dalton hadn’t seen their father in over five years. It would be hard for Dalton, but it would be hard for Sheppard, as well.
“I’m glad he thought so,” Dalton said.
The room got quiet for a moment, and then Jace spoke up and said, “Losing Mom was hard on all of us, Dalton, but I know it was especially hard on you, and I realize that. The two of you were extremely close, and to be honest, I worried about you. Especially when you didn’t want to go see Dad as often as the rest of us. I thought you believed all the trash the media was spreading.”
Their grandfather had shielded them from the courtroom drama by not allowing them to go to their father’s trial. But they had gone on the day the verdict was read. They had been so sure the trial would end differently.
Dalton glanced down and studied the floor awhile and then glanced back at his brother. “I had my reasons back then, Jace.”
“Did those reasons have anything to do with the question of Dad’s innocence or guilt?”
Dalton’s expression stilled for a minute, and then he looked over at Jace. “I would be lying if I said it never crossed my mind. Like you said, Mom and I were close. But Dad was such an easygoing person. I know anyone can get mad enough to snap, but Dad would still have thought of us and not hurt Mom. I believe that.”
Jace believed that, too, although initially, like Dalton, he hadn’t been sure, especially since the three of them had heard their parents’ argument the night before. “Do you have any idea where you plan to move?”
Dalton shook his head. “No. I’m hiring a Realtor. I’m thinking a one-bedroom condo in a gated community would serve my purpose. If I like it well enough, I plan to buy it.”
Jace knew that for his brother to be thinking of buying a place meant he would hang around awhile and wouldn’t jump a plane to return to England the first chance he got. “That sounds like a good plan.”
Dalton stood. “And just so you know, I like your Shana Bradford.”
Jace lifted an arched brow. “My Shana Bradford?”
“Yes, I’m very impressed with her and have been since that meeting a week ago. She’s sharp as hell, and I particularly liked how she handled Arrington and Fields. A couple of times, I thought they were out of line with how they grilled her, but she held her own with them.”
Jace smiled, remembering. “I knew she would. The last thing we needed was for the company to begin panicking. But already I’ve noticed improvement in morale.”
Dalton checked his watch. “I’m meeting Caden downstairs and we’re headed to McQueen’s, that bar and grill down the street. Do you want to join us?”
Jace shook his head. “Thanks, but no. I still need to finish reading all these documents. My goal is to learn as much about the company as I can.”
He then tilted his head back and stared at his brother. “And how’s your reading coming?” He had given Caden and Dalton the same documents, and he knew they hadn’t yet put any dents in them.
A sly smile curved Dalton’s lips. “Let’s just say it’s coming. Besides, you’re the big chief. Caden and I don’t need to know everything. We’re merely here to have your back.”
“I don’t see things that way,” Jace said blandly. “Your positions are just as important as mine.”
“Whatever,” Dalton said, smiling and heading for the door. “We’ll see you at home later.”
* * *
Jace pushed away from his chair, knowing he would work late tonight to read the documents regarding the last government contract they’d been awarded and the most recent two they did not get. It appeared their biggest rival in the industry, Barnes Aerospace, had outbid them twice. Was that the reason his grandfather suspected someone was passing trade secrets? Jace didn’t mention his grandfather’s suspicions to Shana since he was curious to see if her report would verify his grandfather’s hunch.
Standing, Jace stretched his body and tried to ignore the growl of his stomach. He hadn’t eaten since lunch, and even that meal had been pretty skimpy. Now his stomach was protesting and rallying for its next meal.
Deciding to grab a bag of chips from one of the vending machines, he opened his office door and stepped out into the lobby and collided with a soft, feminine body.
“Oops.”
Jace reached out and caught hold of Shana’s arms before she could lose her balance. She glanced up at him. “Thanks, Jace. Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going. I got a little hungry and figured I’d grab something out of the vending machine. I should not have skipped lunch.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” he said, trying not to notice that, even at this late hour, her makeup was flawless. What got to him most, right below the gut, were her full and sensual lips. She had removed her jacket, and her blouse still looked crisp while pressed against a pair of firm breasts.
“I did eat lunch but got munchy, too, and was on my way to the vending machine,” he added.
Shana noticed that Jace had removed his jacket and tie, and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a portion of a hairy chest. Another thing she noticed was his scent. It was a masculine aroma she’d noticed that first day when they’d met at the restaurant.
She had seen him when she’d first arrived for work but hadn’t seen him for the rest of the day. But seeing him that morning had been enough to overload her senses. And she’d had the unfortunate duty of riding the elevator up to their floor with him. She was grateful others were on board; otherwise, she would have been forced to engage in small talk with him and was glad she had been spared that.
“And another thing you should not be doing is working too late,” Jace said, reclaiming Shana’s attention. “It’s been almost two weeks now, and you’re still at it.”
She waved off his words. “I’m fine. I prefer doing it here than at home.”
He glanced down at her hand and then chuckled. “What’s so funny?” she asked.
“These,” he said, touching the items she’d purchased from the vending machine. “Do you need that many Hershey bars to tide you over?”
Her face split into a huge grin. “Like I said, I didn’t eat lunch, and I have a thing for chocolate.”
“Then why not order lunch in?”
“Don’t want the hassle of clearing things through security. Besides, I’m okay. My dad called a while ago to say he’d made a pot of spaghetti and was sharing. He has a key to my place, so it will be there when I get home.”
“You and your father are close?” He recalled that she had mentioned a sister but not a parent.
“Yes, very.” Knowing it was time for her to retreat to her office, she took a step back. “Well, it’s time for me to get back to work. I’ll see you later.”
“Wait, let me get this,” Jace said, reaching up and pulling a piece of lint out of her hair. He liked how the silky strands felt against his fingers.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Shana tried breaking eye contact with Jace and found it hard to do so, mainly because of the intensity with which he was staring at her. She felt helpless to do anything but stare back. And then she felt it—that gentle yet heated stirring in the pit of her stomach. It was the same sensation she fought to ignore each and every time she saw him.
The air surrounding them seemed to vibrate, and she felt the tremble through every part of her body. Suddenly a rush of desire swept right between her legs. An incredible hunger began spreading from one part of her body to the other. She couldn’t remember the last time she had been this attracted to a man. Her mind nearly froze at the thought.
Before she could draw in her next breath, Jace closed the distance between them, and instead of retreating, she stood her ground while watching the fierce hunger flare to life in the depths of his eyes. Heat was blazing between them, and she felt its intensity. Potent. Stimulating. Arousing.
And when his gaze shifted from her eyes to her mouth, her lips felt a magnetic pull toward his as he began lowering his head. His lips were so close, she could almost taste them and...
The sound of one of her candy bars hitting the floor made Shana jump back. She was appalled at what she and Jace were about to do. Out in the open. In the middle of a corridor. “I need to get back to work,” she said after picking up her candy bar.
He took a step back, as well. “Yeah, and I need to grab a bag of chips out of the machine.” After she’d taken a few steps, he called after her. “Shana?”
She stopped and turned around. “Yes?”
“I am trying,” he said. She knew exactly what he meant.
She nodded. “And I’m trying, too. I guess we need to try a little harder.”
She then opened the door to her office and slipped inside.
* * *
“Drop, damn it!” Jace muttered while pounding on the front of the vending machine with his fist. He knew his anger was not at the bag of chips stuck in the machine but was directed at himself for what he’d almost done with Shana. He’d come close to kissing her, claiming the most sensuous lips he’d ever seen. In one single instant, he’d come close to destroying all the resistance he’d fought so hard to build up with her. There was no excuse for not being able to handle his sexually deprived testosterone.
“Damn it, drop!” he said in frustration, pounding on the vending machine again.
“What the hell is going on out here?”
Jace swiveled around and stared Caden in the face. “What are you doing here? I thought you and Dalton left hours ago for dinner and drinks at McQueen’s.”
“We did,” Caden said, coming up, pulling coins out of his pocket and inserting them into the machine. He chose the same chips Jace had, which made both his and Jace’s bags drop down together. Caden gave Jace his bag of chips. “That’s how you do it, Jace, not by giving the machine a beat-down.”
“Whatever,” Jace said, opening the bag of chips. “So if you left with Dalton, then what are you doing back here?”
Caden opened his own bag of chips, and the brothers began munching as they walked back toward Caden’s office. “I believe in the theory that three’s a crowd. Dalton met someone, a real hot number with a gorgeous pair of legs. I didn’t want to be the one standing in the way of heated desire and unquenchable lust.”
“I see your point,” Jace said, dropping in the chair in front of Caden’s desk.
After sitting down behind his desk, Caden glanced over at Jace. “I understand Dalton talked to you about moving out. I’m glad you didn’t give him any grief about it.”
“I wouldn’t have done that, because I understand. I’ve always understood, Caden. Just like I understood the pain you endured losing your best friend.”
Caden didn’t say anything, but he knew his brother was referring to his childhood relationship with Shiloh. Jace was observant, and Caden wondered when his brother would get around to asking questions. And they were questions Caden wasn’t ready to answer just yet. So he decided to change the subject. “You’d be happy to know I’ve finished reading this stuff,” he said, motioning to the stack of papers on his desk.
“Interesting reading once you get into it. I don’t know how Dad and Granddad handled it all. It’s too much to know,” Caden added.
Jace shrugged. “It’s not so bad.”
Caden released a deep chuckle. “You can say that since Granger Aeronautics is in your blood. I see how easily you handle board meetings and those arrogant executives and managers who think you’re a wet-behind-the-ears, don’t-know-shit CEO. You’re proving them wrong every day. You’re a natural. A perfect fit.”
Jace appreciated the compliment. “What about you, Caden? You have a business degree.”
Caden’s eyes became openly amused. They always did when he was reminded of that. “I love my music and only got that degree because Granddad all but threatened to disown me if I didn’t.”
Jace nodded. Dalton had a business degree, as well, but no one had ever expected him to use it, since they’d all known his position on the matter. He wanted to play football and impress the women, and he figured the sport endorsements and trust fund would be more than enough to tide him over and keep him rolling for the rest of his life.
“How long do you think Dalton will hang around before the lure of Europe gets too much for him?” Jace asked, curious to hear Caden’s answer.
“I honestly don’t know. It’s been almost two weeks, and he still whines from time to time. Says he has things to do, places to go, women to fu—”
“Okay, I get it,” Jace broke in, not allowing Caden to finish. Didn’t take much to figure out what he’d intended to say.
“Well,” Caden said. “I take Dalton out, feed him, order a couple of drinks and buckle down for his gripe session so that you won’t have to. You have enough on your plate with Granger Aeronautics...and with Ms. Bradford.”
A frown touched down in Jace’s features. Caden couldn’t help but be amused at his brother’s reaction to what he’d said. “Come on, Jace. Are we not supposed to know you have a thing for her?”
“I don’t have a thing for her.”
“Okay.”
Jace decided to leave it alone since he’d never been able to lie worth a damn with Caden. He stood. “Time to get back to work if I want to make it home before ten.”
“And it’s time for me to leave, too,” Caden said, getting to his feet. “I’d completed the last of reading that report when I heard you pounding out your sexual frustration on the vending machine.”
“You’re imagining things.”
Caden chuckled as they walked out of his office. “Am I? Fine, if that’s what you want me to think. But that kind of frustration needs to be taken care of, or it’ll come to a head in the worst possible way.”