Page 80 of Locked Down

“You said I could kill him. We agreed,”Ryker argued.

“We did,”Archer said,“but the President asked me not to.”

They were in Archer’s office in New York.“Since when do you care what the President says?”Ryker demanded.

“He’s got a point,”Flynn said. “It’s not like we have to do what the President wants.

Archer let out a long sigh.“When the President of the United States asks you for a favor, you do it.”He didn’t have to saythen you are owed a huge favor yourselfby the most powerful person in the world.

Rush grunted.“How long?”Archer turned his cold stare toward Rush and cocked an eyebrow. Rush continued.“I assume he didn’t say don’t kill Davisever, he probably gave you some kind of timeframe. Davis is a liability to him if he’s alive. He’s an embarrassment to the whole inner circle, including the President, since he was supposed to be VP. They’ve covered it well by choosing Cal Wallingford to run as VP. But people know. So, how long?”

“Three to six months,”Archer said.

“Fuck,”Ryker growled.“We’ve got to live with that prick for three to six months?”

Rush laughed at him.“When do you go back to being a Boy Scout again, huh? I kind of liked him.”

Ryker shrugged.“My grandma would probably say the same thing. Or worse.”Truth was, he hadn’t been himself since Vic had ripped his heart out in the hospital and then crushed it under her sexy, sky-high heels. He might just turn over a new leaf and keep swearing. Eventually, the coarse words wouldn’t taste so bitter in his mouth. It wasn’t like he was going to have the opportunity to ever kiss her again. He pushed away the dismal thought.

Archer thumped a fist on the table.“It’s a nightmare, I admit, but my hands are tied.”He stood.“Now we have to go into the board meeting. He is going to be in there. I want all of you with me. None of you are allowed to kill him and I would appreciate you stopping me from doing the same.”He looked at all of them.“Day ninety-one. He dies on day ninety-one.”

They all stood and followed Archer down the hallway toward the boardroom. Archer went to the middle of the table and took his seat. Ryker took up his post in the furthest corner. He was afraid if he got too close to Davis he might just kill him anyway.

The rest of the board members filed in. Davis arrived looking smug. He sat by his congressman friend and two CEOs. Remy chose the other end of the table next to Tatum Wellington. The rest of the table filled in except for two empty chairs.

Archer called the meeting to order.“Let’s get down to business. We have two spots to fill on the board. I have been given several names.”

Davis cut in.“There’s only two names to consider so I think we can skip right to the vote.”

Ryker’s shoulders tightened. Davis had put forth two names, both cronies of his. If they both got on the board, then he would have the majority, and all hell would break loose. It was why he was desperate to kill Davis now. Well, one of the reasons. A very small reason. He wanted Davis dead for hurting Vic. He ground his teeth. Thinking about Vic was not good for his health. He needed to bury that pain as deep as possible.

“Fine,”Archer said.“Let’s start with Eli Fisher. All in favor?”Seven hands went up. Ryker swallowed an oath. Fisher was another little maggot with a sordid proclivity for underage girls. The fact that he was going to make it on the board was abhorrent. Ryker glanced at Rush. The other man’s knuckles were white. There was no monster wrangler that hated Fisher more. This was going to be hell.

“All opposed. Three hands went up.”Archer kept his face neutral.“Motion carried.”

Davis smiled smugly and waved a negligent hand in Ryker’s general direction.“Sterling, go fetch Eli and tell him to come on in here.”Ryker wanted to shove his fist down Davis’s throat and strangle that phony drawl.

Archer gave a small nod. After taking a deep, cleansing breath, Ryker opened the door and Eli Fisher strode in. It was galling but he did his job and went quietly back to his corner.

“We have one more seat on the board,”Archer started.

“Yes, and I proposed Bullard Whiklow for it.”Davis all but gloated. The animosity between him and Archer was legendary.

“You did, but Mr. Whiklow refused to be put up for the position. He said he was not interested.”

Davis glared at Archer.“What the hell did you do?”he growled.

“I did not interfere. Mr. Whiklow came to me and told me he was not interested. Several witnesses were present. I believe you were there, Jason?”

Jason Sakstra nodded.“Yes. He said he was far too busy to be on the board.”

Davis glowered.“Well then, I guess we will have to adjourn until we can come up with another suitable candidate.”He started to rise.

“I have another suitable candidate,”Archer stated, his voice cold as ice.“Per the rules, I sent around his resumé twenty-four hours ago. Have you all had the chance to review it?”There were nods around the table.

“I didn’t get it,”Eli pointed out.

“You weren’t on the board then. I will have it emailed to you later.”Archer kept his tone neutral, but Eli still looked like an ass.

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