by Eliza Ellis
Perry’s expression looked alarmed. “Now, Marshall, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The board will likely impose a non-compete—”
“Oh, this won’t be in the same market, I think. But it just might have the same impact, or greater. Why don’t you take a seat? This will be good, I promise.” Marshall gave Perry a toothy grin and then stood at the head of the table while everyone else took their seats.
Marshall picked up the remote for the screen and began his presentation on Bendola. It was an easy decision for the board to make: they would invest, after the country stabilized.
It wasn’t two seconds since Marshall had ended his presentation when Perry attempted to steal his thunder. “Now, for another matter,” Perry began. “We’ve had this conversation before, Marshall, with regard to your assistant. Based on some information provided to us by a source—”
Marshall snorted. “Please don’t insult my intelligence. I would hope we could still respect one another.” He eyed each member of the table. “From Jarod—you received some information from Jarod.”
Perry cleared his throat. “Yes, from Jarod, that you and Kori are engaging in an interoffice relationship—”
“False,” Marshall said. “I did kiss her—that Jarod witnessed. But he didn’t provide you any information that you could corroborate. True?”
Perry averted his eyes.
“Look, Marshall. Truth is, we don’t want to lose you,” the newest member of the board began. He was younger than Marshall by at least five years, but he had his finger on the next generation of visionaries and was a great addition to the board to keep ideas fresh. “I know I don’t. You’re the reason I joined this company—your work ethic, integrity, and vision for the future. I wanted to work and learn from you.”
Marshall swallowed, his throat thickening due to emotion. He didn’t expect that he would care either way what each member of the board thought of him. All he knew was that the majority wanted him out, and he would be in a couple of months. He’d begun to emotionally distance himself from all the members except Perry. Perry had been with him from the beginning, and it didn’t feel right to completely shut him out. “Well, thanks, Patrick. That means a lot to me.”
“We want you to remain,” Patrick continued. “We would like to avoid any hint of scandal. Especially since Ms. Kaye’s issues with her previous employer haven’t been resolved. I think we’ve been more than fair in not demanding you fire her right off the bat.”
“Didn’t you, though?”
“But with this new information, we’re resolved to be firm in this.”
That was a sticking point. Marshall had considered contacting Brigham and personally settling the matter, but he hadn’t determined how he could do it and keep his company out of legal troubles and not offend Kori. Kori was a woman who wanted to and could fight her own battles.
Wait… Brigham had sent him a message earlier. One he didn’t finish listening to. Maybe Brigham had phoned the other board members. Were any of them under duress? Had the board been considering doing business with one of Brigham’s companies?
“We’ve agreed that if you let her go, then you can remain in your position. I think we can all agree that it’s a fair offer.”
“Fair for all except Ms. Kaye,” Marshall countered.
“We don’t want to be sued.”
Marshall sighed, annoyed. “She’s not going to sue.”
“You have her word on that?”
“Yes, Patrick. I do.”
Perry shook his head. “Not good enough. As soon as this mess with Brigham hits the media, we’ll be in the spotlight. We can’t have any negative press right now.”
“You’re going into business with him, aren’t you?” Marshall asked flatly. Members of the board exchanged glances. “When were you going to tell me? And since when don’t we decide these things together?”
“Since you’ve been off the rails,” Perry snapped. “Look, Marshall, we waited for you to come out of this—”
“What’s the deal?” Marshall cut him off.
“We’re looking to invest in his tech enterprise once things calm down in Bendola. We’re already walking a tight rope with our investors over Bendola and didn’t want to announce anything yet.”
Marshall had hoped his updated report would ease those fears. On the way back to the shore, he’d spoken with Daemon Knight, who believed civil war was imminent, and who knew how long that would last? Marshall could see Bendola’s potential to be a thriving country and leader on the world stage, and he wasn’t going to back down on his position to support it.
A tech venture was a good idea, and Brigham was on the cutting edge of research and development. He hadn’t wanted to touch him with a ten-foot pole, but clearly the board only saw dollar signs.
“She needs to go,” Perry said firmly. “There’s no changing our stance on that.”
“Then she should receive a generous—”
“I don’t think we can afford that,” Perry interrupted.
“Wait a minute,” Patrick said, holding his hand up. “Now, she has done good work since she’s been here. There have been nothing but compliments. Departments under Marshall’s lead have increased production by nearly ninety percent, and almost all are back in compliance. That should be rewarded.”
“It has been,” Perry snapped. “Marshall got her a twenty-five percent increase in salary.”
“Which would be over time,” Patrick said. “Think of what she could do the longer she was here?”
“She’s an executive assistant, for crying out loud! She opens emails and books plane tickets. She’s not winning the Nobel prize,” Perry argued vehemently.
Marshall—as well as the rest of the board—stared at Perry. His outburst took Marshall by surprise. Why not say what you truly feel? Perry had always been more of a beta to Marshall’s alpha for as long as they’d been in business together. Marshall had never seen this side of Perry before. Was he really this angry over Kori being here? Over the possibility that Marshall could actually find love again?
Or was he angry because Marshall wasn’t getting fired? Didn’t Perry say he was one of the few fighting for Marshall to keep his job? Marshall was no longer certain his friend was really in his camp.
“We’re talking about a woman’s livelihood,” Marshall said in a soft tone. “She came here to do a job—which she’s still doing—and in the process…” He could say she fell in love with him. He didn’t know for sure. What he did know was that his heart had been captured once again.
Marshall took a drink of water and started again. “This is more my fault.”
“That’s exactly what we’ve been trying to avoid!” Perry cried. “If—and I’m not saying I believe her—if Brigham is remotely guilty for what he’s done, you admitting to seducing your assistant could go badly for us as well.”
Marshall rolled his eyes. His ego would like to think he did seduce Kori, but she had been the one to bewitch him with her character. “She’s not going to sue. She offered to sign papers.”
“Good!” Perry said, a big grin on his face. “This is perfect. We’ll get her to sign a document stating she won’t sue us.”
“No,” Marshall said firmly. “I’m not going to make her sign that. This isn’t Brigham all over again. That’s why it should be different. Why she should be treated differently.”
“We’re sorry, Marshall,” Patrick said gently. “But we can’t afford to treat it any other way than the house being on fire. Because all it takes is one match. You might not see the fire coming, but in this case, we can.”
Marshall slammed his hands on the table. “There is no fire!”
Silence settled in the room. Marshall knew he’d lost this battle. The board wasn’t about to budge on this issue, and just for disagreeing with them, they could vote him out right now if they wanted.
“The compensation package will be generous,” Patrick said.
“Now, hold on,” Perry started.
; “No! It should be generous.”
“You’re trying to buy her,” Marshall said, his skin heating. “Buy her silence.”
“I thought you said this was a different case.” Patrick eyed Marshall.
“It is, but you’re still treating it as though it’s the same,” Marshall countered.
“Then are you advocating we don’t pay her?” Perry asked. “Because I’m for that.”
Marshall pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn’t want her not to be paid. He also didn’t want her to think they were giving her hush money. It was a no-win situation either way. He thought about Kori and what she would accept.
“Fine,” Marshall said with a heavy sigh. “Don’t pay her.”
Chapter 18
They’d been in the meeting all morning. Hours. They couldn’t still be talking about Bendola. So much was up in the air about that country. It was a little early to be planning anything more, wasn’t it?
Kori sighed. She looked at her computer screen and reread her resignation letter for the twentieth time. Short and sweet. With a heavy heart, she pressed the button to print and went to the printer to retrieve the paper. She’d also send Marshall an electronic copy. After signing the paper form and leaving it on his desk, Kori shut down her computer, picked up her bag and jacket, and walked out of the office.
She didn’t want to leave this way, but a little bird had told her Jarod ran into Perry’s office the other morning and spoke at length about the trip. Marshall had been right about Jarod. He was a spy for the board, and now everyone knew the truth. She wasn’t sure what was in it for Jarod, but what she’d get out of it was a pink slip.
Marshall was probably telling the board members right now that if they fired her, he’d walk. Kori really hoped he wouldn’t make such a rash decision. His life’s work couldn’t be lost because of her.
She’d made a promise to Marshall that she would sign any document stating she wouldn’t sue the company. He’d refused her offer—and she loved him for it—but it would save him and the company a lot of headache. He was in there fighting for her job, when what he should do was let her go. Since he wouldn’t do it, she had to be the one to walk out. Who knew? Maybe one day they could find their way back to each other. Right now, she had a lawsuit to focus on.
She’d booked her flight out of Italy the night before and only had a couple of hours to make it through airport security. Good thing she packed light coming here.
This wasn’t right on so many levels. If she truly wanted to end well, she’d stay and help train the next assistant. Annie had walked out on Marshall, but Kori was a quick learner and good at her job after working with Brigham for so many years. She could’ve passed on some really helpful tips and tricks. Instead, she had emailed her operating guide, that she’d been creating since she arrived, to Marshall so he could pass it along to his next assistant. She culled a list of resumes from a hiring database and left her recommendations in the same email with the guide. He would be in good hands—just not as good as hers.
As Kori settled into her seat on the plane a couple of hours later, her one regret was not being able to say goodbye. But who knew how long Marshall would be in that meeting? Last night had been the longest night of her life, and she just wanted it all to be over. For the first time, she had truly felt peace about her decision. She was leaving on her own terms. No, she didn’t have a job, but she was ready to move on and start a new life. A new career.
To go home.
Marshall’s hands shook as he held the resignation letter in his hand. She didn’t even wait to hand it to him in person. That wasn’t like her. Maybe he didn’t know her as well as he thought.
No. That thought was out of fear. He knew Kori. Knew she’d do what was necessary to save him. He was busy putting her first and she was doing the same for him. He smiled, his heart growing more in love with her.
But maybe she didn’t love him back. She hadn’t left a forwarding address, nor did she say she’d call. His smile waned. She was subtly telling him that it was over. Whatever they had had died in the plane crash.
Marshall flung the paper over his desk. He was an idiot. Instead of limiting their contact after their return, he should’ve increased it. They should’ve gone sightseeing. Had dinner every night and breakfast every morning. He should’ve reassured her that everything would be okay. That whatever happened, they’d face it together. Just like they did on the plane.
If there was a chance the board would keep her on, he didn’t want to risk them being seen together. He knew a few of the board members who weren’t permanently based here stayed in this hotel. He and Kori had been careful for nothing.
He put his face in his hands and breathed deeply. This was a good thing. He had wanted a fresh start. Didn’t his therapist tell him to stop looking at his life through the rearview mirror? He had to keep his gaze forward.
And that’s what he was going to do. Kori had done her job and now she was out of his life. His heart had beat again. Life had a greater meaning now than it did this time last year. He would finish packing up his stuff today and then go see Sabrina.
Right after he listened to a voicemail.
Chapter 19
Nearly twenty hours later, her connecting flight landed in Springfield, Missouri. Kori dragged her wheeled luggage through the airport. When she saw her sister Katrina’s signature puff hairstyle, Kori nearly collapsed. Forcing her legs to run, the sisters met in a fierce embrace, sobbing and laughing.
“You’re finally home,” Mary Kaye said behind Kat.
Kori wiped tears from her eyes so she could clearly see her mother. How long had it been? Nearly ten years since she had been able to come home and see the family? “Mom.” Kori hugged her mother for a long time, their tears soaking each other’s blouses.
“I have missed you, my girl.” Mary cupped her daughter’s face. “My beautiful girl. You look so…tired.” Her brows came together.
“And you look amazing!” Kori laughed. Her mother was wearing makeup! Her brown eyes were bright and she even had a flashy haircut that kept the ten years Kori had missed off her.
Mary batted her long lashes and playfully touched her hair. “Thank you. I do feel incredible. Now, you’re exhausted from your trip. Let’s get you home.”
Kori wanted nothing more than to sleep for hours, but she hated the thought of returning to her old room. Too many painful memories. “I’ve booked a hotel. I…” She trailed off. How could she explain without offending her mother?
“Oh, no!” Mary said. “We’ve done the room up for you so nicely.”
Kat looked at her sister with knowing eyes. “Mom’s moved out of that place. She bought the one I had for a little while, since I’ve moved out.”
Kori linked her arm with her sister’s. “That’s right. You’re married now, living in a big house on the lake. I can’t wait to see it.”
Kat giggled. “It’s an amazing home. I think you’ll love it.”
“Didn’t you and Drew used to say you were going to live on the lake? I remember the two of you ran away to make a little love nest so he wouldn’t have to leave town when you guys were kids.”
Kat ducked her head in embarrassment. She fingered her necklace—half of a heart. “Yeah, uh, we did.” She nodded.
“Dreams really do come true.” Kori grinned cheekily. “Must be some love nest.”
“Took some time, though,” Mary added. “He was engaged to Parker.”
“I remember,” Kori said. “When I heard that, I hated Drew. Glad to see he’s come to his senses and picked my sister.”
“Me too,” Kat said in dreamy voice.
“I hope you have some cupcakes in the car,” Kori said. “I can’t wait to try what you’ve been baking. I even caught that introductory segment of your new cooking show on YouTube. Kat, you’re amazing.” Kori put her arm around Kat’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m so proud of you, sis.”
“I’m so happy, too. The segment is doing well enough in
views that the studio has already green-lighted a second season. All my social media has exploded. Business at Susie’s is doing great, and we’re just about to open my own bakery downtown to coincide with the launch of the show.”
Kori stared at her sister with both awe and respect. “My sister…living her dreams. I knew you could do it. Both you and Keke!”
“There’s so much to tell you.”
Kori happily gorged herself on her sister’s desserts as she listened to all the stories of the town she’d been away from. Although she was happy for her sisters, the pangs of sadness and jealousy kept on with their irritating poking. All she could do was wait to hear back from her lawyer about her case and move forward with her new plans.
“What are you going to do, now that you’re home?” her mother asked.
“Take some time to relax. I haven’t really had a break.”
“That’s why you’re tired, of course. You need to rest.”
“And I’m going to start my own virtual assistant business. Finally put my Masters to the test.”
“That’s amazing, Kori!” Kat turned around from her passenger seat in the front of the car. “You’d be perfect for that. You’re good with juggling a lot of tasks. Only now, you can work for yourself.”
“I might need some help with starting the business. Think you’ll be willing to give me some tips, Kat?”
“Why wouldn’t I? Although I’m sure it’ll be way easier than opening a restaurant. I’ll try to go easy on you.” She winked. “And then maybe you could help me with my homework.”
“Homework?”
“Yeah. I’m thinking about taking a few business classes myself. I have a lot of help, but I don’t want to screw up these opportunities. They don’t fall from the sky everyday.”
That was for sure. Her job with Marshall literally fell out of a gorgeous Italian that she missed already. She’d have to visit Kat’s bakery every day, just to surround herself with the smell of freshly baked bread and pastries. She wouldn’t have pasta that good again, but maybe there was an authentic, hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant in town that could come close. She had a lot of time to figure everything out.