With Guns Blazing (Aeon 14: Machete System Bounty Hunter Book 3)

by M. D. Cooper

  “Yes.” She looked at all twelve of them, one by one, taking her time. She locked eyes with each for a full two seconds before moving on to the next. “You hired me to be your fixer. I’ve done that. I’ve saved you, and given you the tools to become even more successful. The only question during this arbitration is whether you’re worthy of the effort I’ve made on your behalf.”

  The room went silent. Had she gone too big with that statement?

  Nah. She was fighting for her life here. Trey’s and Schramm’s, too. Even Erving’s, in a way.

  “To your knowledge,” Janice began, “has Schramm Matthews ever acted in any way contrary to the company’s interests? Keep in mind that nothing has been alleged against you, and there’s nothing for you to gain by being loyal to him, if he is guilty of something.”

  Nothing was alleged against her? Apparently, they’d never realized she’d broken into their system to steal information about Rexcare’s contract with Nizhoni at Hatchet & Pipe. And they also didn’t seem to take issue with her breaking in to help Marky steal information to present to them.

  Was Janice lying, or had they dismissed all of that as irrelevant?

  Reece focused on Janice, the head of the board and therefore the most important person to convince. “Never. Schramm is the one exec I want to continue working with, because I can trust his devotion to Rexcare.”

  Janice exchanged a veiled look with Tillson and Jono, the other two top executives.

  Down the hall, Trey and Schramm had been sequestered into their own rooms, to prevent them all from talking to one another about what happened in the boardroom. Had they been questioned already? Were her honest answers aligning with theirs?

  “Very well. You may return to your waiting room. Please wait there without communicating with anyone inside or outside of this building, unless it happens in here. You are being closely monitored. If there’s any food or other refreshment you’d like, you can let my assistant know on your way out.”

  Reece didn’t leave the podium. “I’d like to say one more thing, since my livelihood depends on all this.”

  Janice paused, then nodded. “Go ahead.”

  “You all probably know I came from Slagside. It couldn’t be more different than this place. This is where I chose to be, where to spend my life. It’s where I can do what I do best, which is working as a fixer. But the one thing it doesn’t have is a sense of unity. If anyone is to blame for what’s happened with Cooper Fields and the trouble he’s wreaked, it’s whoever hired him, and whoever failed to know what he was up to. That means the responsibility belongs inside this room, not to anyone outside it.” She ducked her head slightly.

  “Besides me,” she added. “Imagine I said that after I left. Okay, I’ll go now.”

  On the way out, she told Janice’s assistant, “I want a steak as big as your head, cheesecake, sautéed mushrooms and onions, and some berry container-ice.”

  Then she stalked back to her sequestered room.

  She’d done her best. Now she could only wait for the verdict.

  * * * * *

  The door to Reece’s sequester room opened, yanking her into full wakefulness. After a massive lunch, she’d felt tired, and boredom had led her to stretch out on the comfy couch.

  “What is it with you and sleeping?”

  Trey’s voice reached her and she bolt upright.

  “What happened?” she demanded. She was standing. She didn’t remember doing that.

  A grin slowly spread across his face. “We won.”

  With a shout, she ran across the room and threw her arms around him. He picked her up and swung her around, both of them laughing.

  “Swing me, too. It looks fun.” Schramm stepped in behind Trey, looking amused.

  “So we’re all clear?”

  “Way more than clear,” Schramm said.

  “What do you mean? Wait.” She held up a hand and pointed at Trey. “Go ahead and swing him. I’ll wait.”

  Schramm laughed. “I didn’t actually—”

  Too late. He was getting a thorough victory swing. The good news was that was he was laughing about it. He seemed a lot more like a regular person these days, like he’d loosened up.

  Reece gave herself credit for that. “Okay, so what did they say?”

  “Well,” Trey said, “they talked a lot. Frankly, I tuned out for part of it. Blah blah, corporate buzzwords, you know. But the most important bit is that we’re all clear and reinstated, and Cooper Fields is persona non grata from now on.”

  “Persona what?”

  “He’s done,” Schramm said. “His life is effectively over, regardless of whatever happens to him next. No one will ever hire him.”

  “Good. So, what, do we just go back to work tomorrow?” She was ready for life to get back to normal.

  “About that,” Trey said. “Schramm turned out to be a pretty good negotiator.”

  She nudged Schramm. “Spill it. I’m dying here.”

  Schramm smiled. “You’re looking at Rexcare’s first sole CEO.”

  He put his arms out to his sides in a check it out gesture that made Reece grin because it was actually kind of sexy. She laughed, since she had never before seen him that way. All this appeared to have changed him.

  “So then we’re the fixers of the company’s first CEO?” That sounded awfully good to her.

  “Yeah, about that,” Trey said.

  She swatted his shoulder. “Stop saying that! Just tell me.”

  “It’s kind of big. You might want to sit down.”

  Worry bubbled up in her. “We aren’t regular employees?”

  Trey shook his head. “No. I mean, we’re fixers, sure. But we’ve become the thirteenth and fourteenth board members.”

  Okay, he was messing with her. “Hah. Good one. But seriously.”

  Trey laughed, and Schramm was chuckling too.

  “It’s true,” Schramm said. “Well, mostly. The board wants you to be in charge of creating synergy between the company and Slagsiders. And they want you to keep your eyes on what’s going on, so another person like Cooper Fields can’t get anywhere in this company again.”

  “Creating synergy,” she repeated. “It must be true, because it comes with corporate buzzwords. But…him,” she pointed at Trey, then pointed at herself, “and me…execs? I’m dreaming. I got a bad steak and went into a coma. This isn’t real.”

  Schramm said, “Well, you aren’t a regular member of the board like the others. It’s more of a liaison role, and you’ll be treated more like junior executives than full members of the board. But you get the regular title, all the same. The rest will be written into your contracts. The legal team is working on that now.”

  She rubbed her forehead as they laughed at her. “But for all intents and purposes, I can say I’m an exec.”

  “Technically, yes,” Schramm said.

  “Okay, the mention of a legal team makes it sound more legit. So…it’s real?”

  “It’s real,” Trey said.

  “Totally real,” Schramm agreed.

  “And there’s a little bit more,” Schramm said. “I had time to think about life and what’s good about living, and as CEO, my first official act is going to be that every exec gets three weeks of vacation every year. And now that you’re execs, that includes you. And, the first week starts now. We all start back in our new positions one week from today.”

  She stared at him, still having a hard time believing it. She focused her attention on Trey. “How long was I asleep? And how are you acting so cool about this?”

  He shrugged. “I’m just better than you, I guess. This is good, though. I’m going to have to look into what board members wear, and get some of that. And…you know…study up on what one does at board meetings.”

  Schramm patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. Board meetings are only twice a month and by special appointment. You don’t have an officer role in the company, so it’s not going to demand that much of you, most of the
time. You’ll still have plenty of time to handle your work as a fixer.”

  “Oh, that reminds me,” Trey said. “I made a formal motion as a board member to hire Raya on. Not only would she be an asset here, but it’s a good punch in the eye for Donnercorp to lose her. Win win.”

  “You made a formal motion?” Reece repeated. This was a lot to take in.

  “Well…Schramm helped. But it’s officially my motion.”

  Reece shook her head, smiling.

  They stood looking at her, apparently waiting for something.

  “What?” she asked. “I’m trying to get a handle on all this.”

  “To be honest,” Trey said, “I’m not really sure what to do now.”

  “Easy.” Reece pointed at the door. “Go make a job offer to Raya.”

  “And what are you going to do?” he asked her.

  “I’m…going to have Kippy meet me at my house and tell him and Aunt Ruth about it together. And I guess we should tell her that we’re together, too.” She couldn’t help smiling, imagining it. She looked to Schramm. “What about you?”

  He answered right away. “Some more time at the farmhouse. The tomatoes ought to be getting ripe.”

  She smiled. “Before you go there, what would you think about doing something else for a couple days? A celebration sort of thing?”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  She caught Trey’s eye and he grinned. “I promised Kippy some sand between his toes.”

  “Beach trip!” Trey hooted.

  “I’ll invite Marky, too,” Reece added slyly.

  Schramm looked surprised. “Oh. Well, okay. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to the beach. Why not?”

  “That’s the spirit!” Reece cheered. “This is going to be fun.”

  * * * * *

  The benefit of rolling exec-style was being able to rent a stretch of private beach that they didn’t have to share with anyone. Not having people tearing by and throwing sand on Reece’s blanket was a luxury she could get used to.

  She and Kippy lay stretched out under the shade canopy, enjoying a gentle breeze and complete, lazy, idleness. A few months ago, she’d probably have been bored, but she now realized the delight of having nothing crying for her attention.

  Well, other than Dex. The little monkey hopped onto her stomach and nonchalantly clambered up to stand on her neck and show her something he’d found.

  She spat out the grains of sand that he shook out of his fur and dropped onto her face. “Ugh. What did you find now?”

  He liked seashells, but he liked shiny things even better. She twisted sideways so she could sit up. After she’d dusted herself off, she accepted what he held out to her with both paws.

  “It’s just a piece of plastic, Dex.” She handed it back to him and he scooted away to add it to his pile of treasures.

  Kippy sat up beside her. “Does he ever get tired?”

  “Eventually. Then he pretty much just falls over wherever he is and sleeps the sleep of the dead.”

  A few meters ahead and off to the side, Schramm and Marky teamed up against Raya and Trey in what appeared to be a fiercely competitive game of sand bowling. She couldn’t tell who was winning, but she was pretty sure she could have beaten the swim shorts off of all of them.

  She was a champ at sand bowling.

  Someday, when the timing was just right, she’d reveal that fact and stomp all of them. Until then, she’d bide her time.

  It was always good to hold back an ace for a time when she really needed a winning hand.

  “You look happy,” Kippy said.

  “I’d be happier if I had a container-ice.”

  He grinned. “Not-at-all subtle hint taken.” He twisted around and reached into the cooler, then faced her again, offering a packet.

  Berry flavored, just like she liked.

  She gave the package a twist and felt the coldness spread as it froze the liquid inside.

  “I’m glad we have another day before we have to get back,” Kippy said. “Though I’d be even happier if we got to spend a whole week out here.”

  “Another time. With three weeks of vacation and the inevitable lulls between jobs, I’ll be able to carve out the time if you can.”

  “Oh, right,” he said. “I have a business. Darn. Almost forgot about that.”

  She smiled and shook her head at him as she took a bite of container-ice. His business did very well, thanks to his hard work and dedication. His good looks and winning personality didn’t hurt a bit, either.

  “You know,” she said thoughtfully, “I might have to start getting jealous when you flirt with someone at the bar now.”

  “Yeah? I’m okay with that. In fact, I might kind of like it.”

  “What if I start a fight?”

  “Why is everything about fighting with you?” he asked, exasperated but amused. “You cannot fight with any customers that didn’t already want to fight. And I thought we’d talked about you branching out from all the fighting stuff, anyway.”

  “Right, you said I need to grow up.”

  “Not exactly,” he said. “But close enough.”

  “I guess I should give up bar fights, except for in extreme cases when it’s unavoidable, since I’m an exec now. I need to develop some of that stern robotic executive attitude.”

  “Please don’t,” Kippy said. “You’re supposed to represent our kind of people, right? So be yourself, not one of them.”

  “Really?” She looked at him in surprise. “I thought you’d be totally supportive of the idea of me acting more respectable.”

  “I like that you aren’t respectable.” At her sound of mock-outrage, he quickly added, “I mean, I like that you’re entirely yourself, and not emulating the people around you. It’s why being a fixer suits you so well.”

  “So you like me just the way I am?” she asked.

  “Well, mostly. It would be cool if you’d start liking a cheaper whiskey. I have to work extra hours just to support your H&P habit.”

  “Never! Let’s just break up now,” she announced, laughing.

  “Oh! That’s not even funny.” He snatched the rest of the container-ice out of her hands, squeezed the remainder of it into his mouth, and stared at her combatively, his cheeks slightly puffed out.

  He was too cute. She leaned forward, gave him a smooch, then got up and ran toward the water, knowing he’d be immediately be on her heels.

  After playing in the water for ten minutes, they scurried back to the canopy for relief from the sun. Even with their application of sun repellant, it was just too much to take for long.

  The game of sand bowling between the other two couples had gotten to its final stages, and each roll of the ball elicited both cheers and groans.

  “Here. Before they get back. I want to give you something,” Kippy said, reaching into the bag he’d brought.

  “Is it a new container-ice? Because you ate most of mine.”

  “No, but I’ll get you another in a minute. Here.” He turned back around, holding out a necklace.

  It was the piece of sea glass Dex had brought her when they were at the beach the first time. Someone had polished it, making it glow like an emerald. The glass had been mounted into a gold backing and hung from a chain.

  It was the best present anyone had ever given her.

  She turned and lifted her hair so he could put it on her. Its weight settled nicely on her chest.

  “I love it. Thank you.” She leaned into him for a long hug that turned into more of a snuggle.

  “I thought it would remind you, when you’re working, of what’s waiting for you when you’re done with work. And maybe that will convince you to work less and play more.”

  “If you’re not careful, you’ll end up having to beg me to leave your house and go work. I might turn into a terrible, lazy slob.”

  “I doubt it,” he chuckled. “But I’d like to see you try.”

  A final cheer and groan went up, signaling the
end of the sand bowling. Schramm and Marky had clearly come out the victors, in a surprising twist. Trey and Raya approached the blankets and chairs complaining bitterly about having been robbed.

  “What was the bet?” Kippy asked.

  “Who says there was a bet?” Trey returned.

  Kippy and Reece simultaneously pointed at Marky, whose mere presence ensured that betting would be involved.

  Trey exhaled an overly dramatic sigh. “Raya and I have to perform a song about a cow and a sandwich.”

  Kippy lit up. “One of Old Dale’s songs?”

  Trey sighed for real this time. “That’s the one. No grease or belly-slapping. Just the song. But still.”

  An incoming message blinked at the left of Reece’s vision. Based on Trey’s expression, he’d gotten it, too.

  She accessed it.

  Janice at Rexcare had detailed some product testing of a cosmetic treatment that had shown some negative side effects. The board had been scheduled to convene the next day in an emergency meeting on how to handle the problem. They’d need to determine what to do with the product and how to handle the damage control. Things like this had a tendency to get leaked.

  There would be people to pay off and threats to make.

  Reece supposed that now that she was a board member, she’d be doubly bound to respond quickly.

  With great power came great responsibility.

  Technically, she didn’t have great power, but she did have a great title, and it worked out to the same thing in the end.

  She’d have to head back to Rexcare’s headquarters today, rather than tomorrow. She felt disappointment, thinking of the fun she’d miss.

  Kippy wore a knowing expression. Clearly, he already suspected what was happening.

  “Sorry,” she said to him. “We’re going to have to get to work. A bit of an emergency.”

  He put his arm around her shoulders. “It’s fine. We’ll come back another day.”

  Schramm looked to Raya. “You should come, too. You haven’t signed your employment contract yet, but since we all know it’s a done deal, we can see if we can rush that along so you can help out with this one.”

  Raya nodded, standing to start shaking out the blankets and folding them. Trey and Kippy started folding up the chairs, while Reece and Schramm began dismantling the canopy.