“Seems we have a mutual acquaintance, Mr. Rhodes.”
“Look, I’m not really a fan of beating around the bush. Just cut to the chase and tell me what you want.”
He swipes the paper out of my hand and tucks it back into the folder then closes it. “Alright then. I’ll cut to the chase. Glasson Waters is one of our biggest rivals. They have a new product launching this fall that is predicted to bring in billions. I want to know what it is. I want every last detail on that launch. In return, you get a new job making six figures a year.”
I spit out a sarcastic laugh. “You want me to snoop around the company and come back and tell you what I find? Not a chance in hell.”
“You have a shoe in the door, Sawyer. If Tanner Enterprises can launch the product first, we have the upper hand. There will be no need for our companies to merge, because we’ll take their place as the biggest beverage company by market capitalization.”
“You think I give a shit about any of that. I thought I was here for a job. I’d never betray Mia like that.” I push the chair back and stand.
Niles follows suit and gets to his feet. “What if I told you the job comes with a hundred grand sign-on bonus.
“Get lost.” I go to walk away, but his heavy steps catch up to me.
“Mia isn’t who she says she is, Sawyer. She’s a fraud.”
“Bullshit.” I don't believe anything this jerk says. He just wants intel on Glasson.
“Don’t you find it odd that she’s hanging out in the CEO’s office every day. I mean, who does that?”
It is kind of weird, but I assumed he allowed her entry since she’s the temporary assistant. “So, what?”
I go to grab the handle, but he keeps talking. Part of me is curious what he’ll say next. “Ever heard of Mira Glasson?”
“Mr. Glasson’s daughter?”
“Did you know he’s fought his entire life to keep her identity a secret because his family is that precious to him?”
“Everyone who’s heard of the family knows that. But, no one really cares to dig because she’s just another girl with a sordid past.”
“She’s a homewrecker. Plain and simple. I mean, look what she did to her own brother. Slept with his married best friend. Not to mention, the whole video. The girl’s a mess.”
“We can agree on that. I’m not a fan of the Glasson family, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to leak information on their business for a paycheck.”
“Unless you plan on scraping together change every week before payday—or running back home to your parents—you need this job. You won't find anything better. In fact, I’ll make the sign-on bonus two hundred thousand, payable once I have all the information I need. Then, you can quit Glasson and join us—the better beverage company.” Niles walks back over to his desk and picks up the folder and returns to my side.
Fuck. I was really hoping this was a legit job offer. I was so damn excited. But I choose Mia. I’ve got no idea what he’s going on about with this Mira chick, but Mia isn’t like her. She’s real, loyal, and has respect for her body.
“I’m gonna have to pass, Mr. Tanner. Have a good day.” I pull the door open and step out, but I still hear him talking.
“Mia. Mira. Mia. Mira,” he says over and over again.
I spin on my heel. “What are you doing?”
He pulls a stack of papers out of the folder and hands them to me. It’s a news article on Mira Glasson, an article on the affair, a snapshot of the video, showing her backside. “Why the hell are you giving this to me?”
“She’s your friend, isn’t she? Don’t you want to know what she’s been up to?” He leans forward with a menacing smirk as he taps the papers. “That’s your Mia. Also known as Mira Glasson.”
“Bullshit,” I spit, smacking the papers to his chest.
“Why would I make that up?”
Why would he? He’s fucking crooked. He wants me to do his bidding. That’s why.
This time, I turn around and keep walking.
He hollers behind me, “Think about it. Call me when you’re ready to make a deal.”
My steps are heavy and I slam my finger onto the elevator button.
He’s lying. He just wants me to accept his offer, and in doing so, he’s trying to turn me against Mia—against all of them.
Chapter Fifteen
Mira
It’s been three days since I’ve heard from Sawyer. I’ve called him countless times, banged on his hotel door. After I paid her a hefty sum, the receptionist was able to confirm he is still staying there. He didn’t show up for work on Friday, and it’s now Monday. I can’t imagine he’d miss another day. I’ve gone from worried, to pissed off, and back to worried.
I’m pacing in front of his cubicle, waiting for him to show up, glancing repeatedly at my wristwatch.
“Sawyer,” I gasp when I see him walk down the stretch of space between the cubicles. “Thank God. I’ve been worried sick.”
“Hi.” He drops down in the chair at his desk with just that simple word hanging between us.
“Hi? That’s all you have to say? I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Can we talk later? I’m behind on work and have a lot of catching up to do.” He doesn't even look at me. Just goes straight to work.
Something is definitely wrong. Sawyer is never this cold to me. Well, not since his first day. We’ve gotten close, though. Far too close for him to be treating me like I’m a janitor here to sweep under his feet.
“Um, ok. Can we do lunch?”
“Sure,” he says, point-blankly, typing away on his keyboard.
I stand there for a minute, waiting to see if he acknowledges me at all. When he doesn’t, my shoulders slump and I walk away.
Sawyer’s lunch break began five minutes ago. I feel a bit obsessive, considering I’ve watched the clock tick for the last hour. I refuse to go chase him down. That’s not me, and as much as I like this guy, I will not resort to stalking. Nope. Won’t do it.
Five more minutes pass. Still no sign of Sawyer.
Ok, I like this guy a lot. I have to find out what’s going on with him. He refuses to come to me, so I’m going to him. My legs drop from the desk where they were perched and I head for the elevator. Ever since Sawyer and I were caught in Dad’s office, I’ve locked it back up and I’ve been utilizing his assistant’s space to finish up my new pitch to Layla. After today, I should be ready to present and face my final rejection.
The elevator doors slide open and I go to step on but end up taking two steps back. “Sawyer. Hi.”
“Going somewhere?” he quips, stepping past me and walking down the short stretch to the desk I’ve been working at.
“I was just coming to find you. I thought maybe you forgot.” I follow behind him like a puppy and I hate what he’s done to me. These feelings inside of me, this longing to be near him—to touch him. I’ve never put all my cards in one person’s hands before, but I feel like he’s holding them all.