Total pages in book: 166
Estimated words: 160356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 802(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 802(@200wpm)___ 641(@250wpm)___ 535(@300wpm)
“A little support wouldn’t go a miss.”
“For what purpose?”
His head drops back, his mouth open. It’s the most insulting display of exasperation. “Is this eating into my one hour?”
“Yes.”
“Thought so. Look, I just want people to see we’re making strides. I’ve got Camryn Moore on the payroll, for Christ’s sake. Everyone knows what you do and why you do it.”
“Yes, they do, and I’ve got a clean sheet of victories. That doesn’t stop now.” I can’t threaten him that I’ll quit, and it’s not because quitting would tarnish that clean sheet. I simply can’t go back to endless, long days of nothing, when I had all the time in the world for my regrets and fuck-ups to torment me. Suffocate me. Thomas’s frivolousness has extended my initial contract term, which was a welcomed gift, but failing is not an option. Failing will mean no other company will be interested in hiring me in the future, and no work means no reprieve.
“All duly noted,” Thomas says, stepping closer and dropping his voice. “Like I said, we’ll talk on Monday.” His smile is half-baked and nervous as shit.
“Fine.”
“Okay, let’s go mingle.” He cocks his arm out for me to hook. “Let’s start with Holcot.”
I disregard his offer and throw myself into the den. “The Holcot? The Holcot from Atlantic Sea Global?”
“Who else? They’re out to tender.”
I raise my brows as we pass through various groups, my eyes forced into a wince to ease the glare of the sequin epidemic. “And you want me to rain glory all over TF Shipping.”
“They listen to CFOs, especially ones of your calibre.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere.”
“Oh, I know that, Camryn. Especially with you. I’m stating facts, is all.”
“I’d be lying if I told anyone you’re a safe bet right now.”
“I have the ships.”
“You need more than ships to take on a business like Atlantic Sea Global. A company like yours would require no other business if you got Holcot’s signature on the bottom line.”
“Exactly.”
“But that’s dangerous.”
“Eggs in one basket and all that?”
“Clever boy.” I find Holcot at the end of the bar, a harem of women surrounding him. It’s no surprise; he’s famously handsome and notoriously charming. He’s also a ball-breaker of a businessman. “You’ve got competition,” I muse, nodding to all of the women.
“I’ve also got you.”
“Excuse me?” I jerk to a stop, so abruptly, my drink spills over the side of my glass, splashing both of us. “Is that why you brought me? As a piece of arse to bat my lashes for you?”
“Fucking hell, Camryn,” he mutters. “You see the best in everyone, don’t you?” He licks the back of his hand, lapping up my spilled drink. “Elderflower?”
“What of it?”
Hands up, he backs off. “I’ve brought you because you’re brilliant at what you do.”
“Sure,” I mutter. I should be flattered. It’s been a while seen I’ve felt seen. Until Dec. “And I’m not exactly being brilliant at the moment because you’re undoing everything I’m doing.”
“Let’s keep it casual,” Thomas says, ignoring my jab. “I’ll crack a few jokes, you’ll laugh.”
“When have you ever heard me laugh?”
“You’ve never heard my jokes.”
I snort as Thomas leads the way. “And for the record, it’s hard to see the best in everyone when humans are such wankers all the time. Phillip West case in point.”
“I don’t think he’ll go quietly.”
“He will if he knows what’s good for him.”
“You terrify me.” Thomas slaps on an embarrassingly big smile and holds my elbow.
“What are you doing?” I ask, looking down his hold on me.
He frowns and quickly removes it. “Showing an alliance.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“God, you’re in a pleasant mood.” He waves a hand out in an over-the-top gesture to lead on, and I do, eyeing a tray of champagne as I pass, resisting the urge to switch to alcohol. “As always,” he adds on a whisper I’m sure I’m not supposed to hear. “Holcot!” Thomas’s velvet-green arms spread wide, his face lighting up like the Blackpool Illuminations, courtesy of the fairy-light-encrusted angel hanging over the bar behind Holcot.
My gaze travels the full length of it, taking in every one of the lights that look like little drops of pure melted gold ready to drip onto us mere mortals below. And I wonder . . .
Do they exist?
Angels?
Are they unsullied and serene? Do they float above us in a place where only the kind and unspoiled are welcome? Do they watch over us? Silently guide us?
“Camryn?”
I blink back the black dots in my vision, finding Thomas before me next to Holcot. He’s even more handsome up close and in the flesh. And considerably younger. Mid-forties, perhaps? I had him as mid-fifties. I notice his hand is extended. “Pleasure,” I say, taking it and shaking firmly. “Sorry, I was just admiring the angel.”
He cranes his head back, stretching his throat to look up at it. “Stunning, isn’t it?” His eyes drop. “I would say it’s not the only stunning thing around here, but I fear I’m on the edge of being politically incorrect.”