Page 50 of Fifth Avenue Devil

“I’m determined to turn this company around. Hell or high water,” Annalise adds. “With Mr. Fordham’s help, we’ve already made plans to streamline the employee rosters and to start moving to our new headquarters in the ViaLife building.”

A murmur ripples through the board members, who until this point have remained silent. One of them raises two manicured fingers.

“Does that mean the boardroom will be moving to the ViaLife building as well?” she asks.

Annalise nods. “Yes. Everything will be upgraded when we move. Right, Mr. Fordham?”

I clear my throat. “Yes. We have the company move date scheduled for three months from now.”

Throughout this exchange, I can feel Annalise's presence beside me. She’s not cowering, but she is tacitly permitting me to sweep the street clean of trash. Our eyes meet briefly. At that moment, an unspoken understanding passes between us.

We make a formidable team, united in purpose and resolve.

"Annalise," Monique begins, her voice dripping with condescension. "You may have your… ‘supporter’ here. But do not forget that you are not the only one with a stake in this company."

"Indeed," Donald chimes in. His eyes flicker with annoyance. "We all want what's best for Gellar Industries. If we feel your vision doesn't align with that, it's our duty to challenge you."

I scoff at their thinly veiled attempts to undermine Annalise. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

But as I prepare to rip into them again, I notice a subtle shift in Annalise. Her posture straightens, her chin lifts, and a new kind of confidence shines in her eyes.

"Fine," she calls out. "Challenge me. Question my decisions. But get your damn ducks in a row first. Don’t come at me with these pathetic personal attacks. I will prove to you all that I can lead this company."

I can't help but smile. Without a doubt, Annalise is a force to be reckoned with.

The tension in the room is palpable. I can feel the energy shift as board members exchange nervous glances, uncertain which side to choose.

“Is that all?” I ask Monique. “If so, I have places I need to be.”

Not anywhere in particular, but she doesn’t need to know that.

Monique flushes with anger. "Enough!" she exclaims. "We will resume this discussion at a later date. This meeting is adjourned."

As the board members file out of the room, I can tell that we've made an impact. Monique and Don are on notice and they know it.

"Come on, Annalise," I say. I grab her by the arm and guide her out of the conference room. "Let’s get out of here."

When we get into the elevator, Annalise turns to me with those perfect hazel-green eyes. Her eyes are endless and seem to suck me in, making me move closer.

“Where are we going?” she asks, her voice soft.

I slide my hands around her waist and give her a smirk. “Anywhere you want, Kitten.”

Her laugh is melodic. “Anywhere? Like the Champs-Élysee? Or Saint Basil's Cathedral?”

My lips twitch with humor. “Paris and Moscow are pretty far. If you want me to, though, I will call my flight crew. I could probably have them get my plane gassed up and ready to go in an hour.”

“Nah.” Annalise scrunches her nose. “I know where I really want to go.”

“Oh really?” I ask casually.

She steps close to my, kisses my ear, and then whispers, “Take me to your bed.”

My heart speeds up as the elevator doors open. I put a hand on her waist, propelling her forward. “Your wish is my command, Kitten.”

Twenty

Nate

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