Page 18 of Havoc
“I’m not hiding,” Remy responded. “I just needed to come in here for a minute.”
“To hide.”
Remy shook his head because he knew it didn’t matter what he said; short of telling Kieran exactly why he was pretending he needed to talk to him, the other man would still claim he was hiding. Hell, if he knew, then it would make it accurate.
He had not expected to be caught by Alijah on his way from the floor. He knew he could have told her that he had just left Kieran's office. But he also knew that if she had just left, or if she hadn't and it was brought up later between her and Kieran, then Alijah would know that Remy had lied to her. So, the safer option was to step in and talk to Kieran for a couple of minutes.
Remy was aware of why Kieran would think he was hiding now. The last few times he’d come to his office unannounced had been when Chloe was pregnant, and he needed to get away from her mood swings for a few minutes. Though there was something he could talk to Kieran about. He’d planned on waiting until he returned Tuesday, but now was as good a time as any.
“I do have something I want to run by you,” Remy stated, and when Kieran nodded, he continued. “There was a proposal made for a partnership with a hygienics company while you were gone, and I’ve just finished reviewing their financial statements. The company is in the red.”
“They’re looking for a savior, not a partner. We aren’t here to rescue businesses because the people running them are incompetent.”
“Agreed, but the company is making good revenue. The expenses are draining the tank, and I feel they’re unnecessary.”
“What are you proposing?” Kieran questioned.
“Several of their shareholders want out, and if they agree to sell those shares to Cayman Industries, you’d hold the majority or close to it. Then it would be a matter of convincing the board of directors…” Remy allowed the implication to trail off.
Kieran leaned forward, lacing his fingers and propping his chin on them with a smirk. “A hostile takeover. I like it. We haven’t done one in a few years. How fast can we be in a position to do this?”
Remy chuckled at Kieran’s excitement but hadn’t expected anything less. “My source on his board tells me they’ve already set expectations for him several times which he hasn’t followed, and they’re prepared to vote him out if they know whoever, or whatever entity, will be able to turn business around. So, you could potentially fire him in a week or two. The rest will take the standard amount of time.”
“I’ll respond to the inquiry personally. Send it to me before you leave, along with the statements.” Kieran stated. “I’ll also have Alijah get financing to buy those shares. Let’s see if we can have him gone in a week. The sooner he is, the sooner the acquisition and handover process can start.”
Remy nodded. He would send it to Kieran on his way out since it was all in his email, and he could access it from his phone. He stood, heading for the door, figuring he’d spent enough time in the office.
“Remy,” Kieran called, and Remy turned back to look at him. “What’s the name of the company?”
“Monroe Hygienics.”
Kieran nodded, and Remy left the office. He’d expected to see Lawrence when he did, but neither he nor Alijah was anywhere in sight. Remy wouldn’t worry about it. He’d see him that evening. As he got onto the elevator, he pressed the button for the first floorbefore taking out his phone and forwarding Kieran the requested information.
The entire takeover process could typically take six months to a year when the board of directors wasn’t on your side. However, that wouldn’t be the case in this one. So, Remy knew it would take less time, and unlike with a typical takeover, they could push Andrew Monroe out quickly while they worked on the rest.
It was going on eight o’clock when Remy stepped out of the shower. When he made it home after leaving work, he’d made himself some lunch and watched television before deciding to go to the gym for a bit.
He dried off, grabbed his lotion, and moisturized before spraying on some cologne. He went into his bedroom and pulled a pair of gray sweatpants from one of his drawers, pulling them on. He then grabbed a pair of socks.
Lawrence was due to show up at any minute, and Remy knew what he was doing. Was it playing fair? No. Did he care? That was also a no. He had every intention of tempting the other man. He wanted to know why Lawrence left without saying anything, why he’d been ignoring him.
However, Remy had also decided that if Lawrence wanted him the way his eyes and body said he did back at the office, then he would have to be the one to make the next move. Remy was serious when he told him he wouldn’t keep playing whatever game they were playing.
He didn’t make it a habit of chasing people who didn’t want him. Yet here he was, doing it with Lawrence. Because of that, he’d decided that if Lawrence wanted to play down his attraction to him and decided he didn’t want to speak to or see Remy again, then that would be that. He would erase Lawrence’s number from his phone and let their night together dissolve from his memories. There would be no second chances.
Remy exited his bedroom when he heard the tone play throughout his condo, signaling that someone was in the elevator and requesting access to his floor and condo. He approached the receiver, knowing it was Lawrence, before looking.
Remy pressed the accept button and watched Lawrence ride the elevator to his floor. Only a moment later, he heard Lawrence on the other side of his front door. Remy opened it just as he raised his hand to knock.
Lawrence’s eyes trailed over his chest and down his stomach. Remy allowed him to take as long as he wanted, and when Lawrence’s eyes came back to his as if he’d been startled out of what he was doing, Remy took a couple of steps back and allowed him to enter.
Closing and locking the door, Remy led the way to the living room and gestured for Lawrence to have a seat. Remy decided to sit on the coffee table in front of him. He wasn’t going to beat around the bush.
“You want to tell me why you’ve been avoiding me?”
“I’m sure you know,” Lawrence responded, looking over Remy’s shoulder.
“If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking you.” Remy gripped his chin, making Lawrence look him in the eyes. “Tell me.”
