Page 12 of The Bourbon Bet
He holds up an index finger and ticks it back and forth like a pendulum. “The Blackstone empire, not me personally, honey. But I do have the power to stop it.”
I cross my arms against the tightness forming in my chest. His non-answers are making this worse, but I can’t let it go, and ask, “And why are you personally getting involved with my mess?”
Thorne pauses, as if carefully choosing his words. “Sebastian has been making some... questionable decisions lately. Decisions that affect not only my family’s legacy but also the families who work for us.”
My stomach drops. “Sebastian? What does Sebastian have to do with me or my bookstore?”
“His judgment is compromised. He’s pouring money into feel-good projects while our core business suffers. If he continues, we’ll have to cut jobs—lots of them.”
I recall the Louisville Business Journal article I’d skimmed last week about Blackstone’s board questioning new investment directions. At the time, I’d thought it was typical corporate politics, but maybe there was more to it.
“If I can demonstrate his reckless nature to our board, they’ll reconsider some of my changes.” Thorne’s voice turns confidential. “That’s where you come in.”
The polished way he delivers this makes me wary, but major layoffs at Blackstone would hurt more than Bardstown. The whole region depends on that company.
“What exactly do you want me to do?” I ask.
“I need you to date him,” Thorne says bluntly.
My eyebrows shoot up. “Excuse me?” Did he know that Sebastian asked me out right before the phone call that’s ruining my life?
“Just a few dates. Enough to get him to invite you to the annual Blackstone Bourbon Classic.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s our company’s derby party.”
“And then what? I ask innocently if he’s mentally fit to run the company?”
His lips twist into a tight smile. “You’ll need to take the folder he’ll bring to the party.”
A horn honks outside, followed by an angry shout. I flinch, but Thorne doesn’t even blink. His focus is unwavering as if the world outside these walls is irrelevant to whatever game he’s playing.
“Take? You mean steal?” I ask, appalled.
His voice stays level, matter-of-fact. “Not steal. Retrieve. Sebastian’s planning to bankrupt us with his pet projects, and the board needs to see his written plans. He’ll bring a red leather portfolio to the party, stamped with our logo. You can’t miss it. The folder’s stuffed with his ‘visionary’ ideas that will destroy our family business.”
I inhale, and the earthy scent of books mixes with Thorne’s expensive cologne. The combination turns my stomach. It’s the scent of my failure.
Thorne’s deal could save me.
I can’t do it. My head shakes back and forth. “No.”
He stills. “Why?”
“Because all of this makes me feel gross. Dating a man to get him kicked out of his family’s company?” Anger bubbles inside me. The more I think about the offer, the sicker it makes me. “Seriously, what the hell is wrong with you?”
My heart flips at the fury that flashes over his features. Then it’s gone as quickly as a lightning strike, and his easy smile returns. “Welcome to corporate America, honey,” he says with a shrug. “Sometimes you have to make tough decisions for the greater good of the company.”
“Well, it’s not for my good. How do you think he’ll feel about me when he finds out my part in your scheme?”
Thorne runs his tongue along his front teeth. “How do I put this delicately? He’ll be furious about the board situation, but you as an individual, you’re unimportant to him.”
I choke out a surprised laugh. “That’s delicate?”
He shrugs again.
I recall my easy conversations with Sebastian, his flirting the last time he’d been in the store. I’m not buying what Thorne is selling. “I wouldn’t say we’re friends, but Sebastian doesn’t treat me like I’m inconsequential.”
