Page 27 of Deadly Legacy
As the founders entered the elevator, Mia hung back. Her dark eyes studied him with new interest.
“Just so you know, Wallace Hoyt’s group has also scheduled meetings with us.” Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Their final presentation is set for the same day as yours.”
Reuben nodded, keeping his expression even despite the small knot forming in his stomach. “Competition is part of the process. We’ll be ready next Friday with our best offer.”
Back in his office, Reuben loosened his tie and dropped into his chair. The meeting had gone well, better than expected, considering the security complication. He swiveled to face the window, watching clouds drift between skyscrapers as he replayed the founders’ reactions to Matthew Capital’s proposal.
Stephan Yan had been skeptical at first but warmed to the technical infrastructure plans. Mia Adebayo had focused on financials, her questions growing more specific as she recognized the strength of their offer. Even Drew Davies, the most resistant of the three, had nodded with reluctant approval at the intellectual property protections Reuben outlined.
But Wallace’s competing bid complicated everything. His father wouldn’t be pursuing Quantize Guard without Dmitrii Miroslav’s backing. The question was how deeply Wallace understood what he was helping Dmitrii acquire.
Reuben’s phone vibrated on his desk. A text from Jacob, his lead analyst:
Preliminary financials look solid. Valuation report ready for review.
Good. They’d need every advantage for the final presentation. He typed a quick response, scheduling a team meeting for the next morning.
As he set the phone down, another notification appeared.Nikon.
Reuben hesitated, their argument from last night still raw. But Natalia’s words echoed in his mind:His love looks like protection. Your love looks like independence.
Reuben opened the message.
No text, just images. Three surveillance photos showing Wallace Hoyt entering what appeared to be a private club. In the second photo, Dmitrii’s close lieutenant Roman Yevgeni joined him, placing a proprietary hand on Wallace’s shoulder. The third showed them seated at a corner table, Wallace’s posture rigid with tension as Roman leaned in to speak.
A second message followed:
Escalation. Dmitrii personally overseeing Wallace operation now. Meeting scheduled at his club tonight.
The implications crystallized instantly. Dmitrii was taking a direct hand rather than working through intermediaries. Whatever he wanted with Quantize Guard warranted his personal attention... which meant the threat was greater than they’d initially assessed.
Despite their recent tension, Reuben felt no hesitation as he typed his response:
We need to talk. Meet at penthouse after my last meeting?
Nikon’s reply came instantly.
I’ll be there at 7.
No mention of their argument. No lingering tension in those brief words. Just immediate agreement that they needed to strategize together. Their disagreement about methods didn’t change their fundamental alignment against common enemies. It was maturity in their relationship that Reuben found himself grateful for.
He returned to the Quantize Guard proposal, making notes for tomorrow’s team meeting. The security technology that had initially attracted Matthew Capital as a potentially profitable acquisition now represented something far more significant: a battlefield where personal, criminal, and legitimate business interests converged.
Reuben’s phone rang.Alexei.
“Just checking in with an update.” Nikon’s brother’s voice came through crisp and efficient. “The men at your office this morning work for Dmitrii. But it seem’s like it was surveillance only. Our people tracked them back to Dmitrii’s territory.”
“Thanks for the update, Alexei.” Reuben tapped his pen against the desk in a rapid staccato. “Nikon sent me photos earlier of Wallace meeting with one of Dmitrii’s men at his club. Think there’s a connection to these surveillance guys?”
Alexei hummed in agreement. “Likely coordinated. The timing suggests they were gathering intel on your meeting withQuantize Guard to report back.” A pause stretched through the line. “You did good work today.”
Reuben’s screen lit up with another alert. His calendar reminder for the final meeting of the day blinked insistently. He grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair.
“I need to go. Another meeting.”
“Of course. Meetup tonight at Grigorii’s?”
“No, I’ll be at the penthouse. Nikon and I need to talk first.”
