Chapter Seventeen
Fannin
I’m just sitting at my desk after back-to-back meetings when there’s a tap on my door. I look up to find Noah there, his usual easygoing smile missing. “What’s the matter? Everything okay with Olivia and the baby?” I start to stand, but he waves me back down,
“Yeah, they’re fine. I just got a call from Theo over at the Iron Flask, and Rosita said someone from the whisky distillery in Scotland called and left a message for me. Apparently they’ve received a couple complaints from someone that there’s some fraternization going on that is inappropriate and a detriment to the deal we’ve got with the company. They’re worried about how it will affect our business dealings going forward. The CEO of Iron Thistle is on the way here now. “
“I am so sorry. I’ll take myself off the account if you want me to. This is too big for us to jeopardize.” Standing I pull my suit jacket on, ready to call a meeting to address the rest of the team. We can’t lose this deal. Especially not because of me dating the damn bartender of one of their bars. It’s ridiculous. “You know who did this though, right?”
Noah nods. “Of course I do. Theo made it clear that he didn’t want him on the account and I pulled him. Now he’s trying to make not only you but me and everything Olivia and I, our fathers, have built look bad. I won’t have it. Even if we have to take you off the account I won’t let him anywhere near it.”
“God, what a fucking prick.”
“Yes, he is. Let your secretary know to hold your calls, the CEO will be here in twenty minutes and I want to go over some stuff with you before that. We can’t lose this one.”
“I know. We won’t. I promise.” And I do. I know how important this account is.
Fifteen minutes later, Noah and I are poring over the files in front of us, all the info on Iron Thistle Whisky, all the progress I’ve made and my plans when Rosita walks in pushing a cart of drinks and snacks, my team and a smug-looking Adam behind her. I look at Noah, not sure why Adam is even here. I get a look letting me know that Noah asked him to be and try not to be too pissed off at my cousin.
“Thank you all for clearing your schedule for this meeting. We have about five minutes for me to get you up to speed before we get started.” He takes the cup that Rosita hands him, smiling at her fondly. She takes a seat in the corner to take minutes of the meeting, patting me on the shoulder on her way. She has a soft spot for me because of her even softer spot for Noah. “There have been some complaints brought to the attention of Iron Thistle Whisky, who as you know is the owner of the Iron Flask and all of the future bars, about Fannin’s relationship with one of their employees.”
Shelby rolls her eyes and immediately comes to my defense.
“Noah, with all due respect, this is a waste of time. We all know who made that accusation and we all know why.” She glares at Adam who feigns innocence.
“Regardless that we know it was Cafferty,” Noah says, causing Adam to sit up a little straighter, “we’re meeting with the CEO any moment and we will conduct ourselves as the professionals that we are. Is that clear?” He glances around the table making sure we acknowledge his demand.
He takes a seat and crosses his ankle over his knee and points at Adam. “If we lose this account because of your little stunt, consider yourself fired.” Noah turns to me and lowers his voice so nobody else can hear, “You’re killing me with this one, you know that, right?”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“Is he worth it?” I ponder his question for all of five seconds.
“I think so.” Noah doesn’t let me off that easily
“Fannin, I would give up this whole company tomorrow for Olivia and not bat an eye. I’m not saying you should be willing to do the same so soon, but just make sure you’re picking the right battles, kiddo.” He nudges my shoulder playfully, lightening up the mood a bit, “guess I shouldn’t have skipped the wedding after all. Maybe if I’d have met him I could decide for you.”
My cousin winks and flips open the portfolio in front of him, “Okay, Theo will be coming with the CEO of Iron Thistle, Annis Hewat, who is also . . . oh, shit.”
“What? What ‘Oh, shit’?”
“Appears that Annis is also the owner.”
“Oh, shit.”
“It’s fine. We deal with billion dollar companies all the time. We just don’t make a habit of fucking their employees. We got this,” he tries to joke.
I’m not sure I believe him. I’m not sure he believes him. The CEO is one thing; I didn’t expect to have to face the owner over something so personal. Before I have any real time to panic Jade taps on the door.
“Your one o’clock is here.” She stands back to let them enter. Noah and I rise. I smile warmly when I see Theo walk in, looking a bit nervous. He gives me a small wave, his eyes not quite meeting mine. Great, this is just what I need, to have Theo be awkward towards me. I can’t dwell on that right now. Glancing away from him, I look back to the door just as Jasper is ducking in. My brows drawn, I look at him puzzled as I take in the tailored suit and yellow tie. I didn’t expect him to come as well, but I can’t say I’m not happy to see him. Typically seeing a handsome man in a suit doesn’t do much for me, it’s part of my day. But Jasper in a suit is a sight to behold. He’s just as sexy today as he was for the wedding in his tux. “Jasper, what are you doing here?” I ask, confused. And somewhat inappropriately aroused.
“I’ve been trying to call.”
“I had back-to-back meetings all morning.” He nods, leaning in and placing a kiss on my cheek in greeting.
“Oh, for the love—Noah, this is why we’re in the position we’re in. Are you going to allow this? Right in front of your face? It’s no wonder the owner is coming to meet with us,” Adam practically spits. “You’ll be lucky if you still have a job by evening,” he says to Jasper in a smug tone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Noah’s jaw tense. I know keeping his cool is taking everything he has right now.
Jasper’s mouth lifts in a sardonic smirk. “Cafferty, might be best if you keep to yourself. If you don’t, I’m thinking that it won’t be me out of a job when all is said and done.”
Noah steps forward with an outstretched hand. “Noah Tate, we haven’t met yet.”
“Jasper James. It’s a pleasure.” The men shake hands and Jasper says, “Please, everyone be seated. This won’t take us long.”
“Jasper?” I ask, my confusion growing by the minute. I look to Theo for a clue as to what’s going on and he just smiles reassuringly. It tells me nothing about what the hell is going on. I swing my gaze to Shelby and Erica, both of whom look equally confused.
Jasper places a warm palm to the small of my back, using it to guide me to my chair and help me into it. Once I’m seated, he places his hands on my shoulders, giving a gentle squeeze before taking the seat next to mine, resting his hand on my leg under the table.
Theo takes the seat opposite Jasper and waits for Rosita to place water in front of them before speaking. “Up until now, I have been your only contact at the Iron Flask but with the complaints that have come to light, I’ve been forced to call in the higher ups and give them a run-down of what we’ve accomplished so far and what we have in the works in order to appease everyone. Moving forward we’ll have to make some changes. I’ll still be your contact because it’s my job as the manager and director of marketing for the Iron Flask chains. I’m also an Iron Thistle Whisky stockholder and board member, which is why I’m here today with Jasper.” This is news to me. I thought Theo was the manager of the bar, I had no clue that he held such an important position. Jasper must see the surprise on my face and gives my thigh a reassuring squeeze. I smile over at him. This is good news. If Theo has this much pull with the company, maybe this will all be swept under the carpet. I mean, how upset can the CEO really be? It’s not like we even deal with Jasper on any of our plans. I get that it’s not exactly professional, but it hasn’t affected my work or his.
Noah leans forward in his chair. “I’m glad that you’ve been happy with our work thus far, and I hope you’ll allow us to continue to work with you. Fannin was hand-picked by me for this account for a reason. She really is the best person to handle your needs. Her dating one of your employees won’t interfere in her work. I’ll explain that to Ms. Hewat as well and hope she sees that Fannin is truly an asset.”
I smile over at my cousin in thanks. His trust and confidence in me is heartwarming.
Jasper clears his throat and starts to speak. Stops, and starts again. “Ms. Hewat will not be here today. She is no longer the CEO of Iron Thistle Whisky—
“Oh, that’s just great!” Adam bursts. “So your best friend is the one who gets to decide what happens with this account? Ridiculous,” he all but spits, no longer able to hold back his temper. “Fannin fucks the help and she’s rewarded for it. Unbelievab—”
Just as Noah is about to say something, Jasper raises his hand to silence him, the other on my thigh tightens almost painfully before releasing pressure and stroking over the spot. Through gritted teeth, Jasper in a barely controlled tone addresses Adam. “First, you will not disrespect Fannin like that in front of me or anyone else, for that matter, especially at her place of work.”
Adam opens his mouth to interrupt when Jasper speaks over him. “Second,” his voice booms, his accent more pronounced. “Fannin isn’t involved with the help. As I was saying, Ms. Hewat, or rather Mrs. Hewat-James, has stepped down as CEO and majority shareholder. The company now belongs to her son.”
Mrs. Hewat-James. Jasper James. Her son. Owner and CEO of Iron Thistle Whisky. He’s the owner of a billion-dollar company. Jasper is a billionaire. And . . . a liar.