Page 48 of Savage Ruin
“Hmm, you smell minty,” she replies softly. Bright blue eyes open and stare sleepily into mine. “Hello.”
My mouth curves. “Your first flight, and you slept the whole time,” I remark, with a shake of my head “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“Too much on my mind,” she reveals. “It’s a good thing, too. The dark web is buzzing with rumors around VRDeck shelving their VR glasses to bring a new AR/VR product to the market.”
I freeze while my mind races through the possibilities. “So, either they’re a hundred percent on board with our potential partnership or our enemy has gotten to them first. I wonder which one it is?”
“We won’t know until we meet with them,” she returns with a shrug. Stretching out, she groans and rolls her neck. With a flick of a finger, she opens the seatbelt and stands.
I get up and she slides past, barely brushing her body against mine, but my mind reacts the way I’ve trained it—automatically reciting numbers from the last report I read. The morning sessions have been tough, especially the rear choke hold. Feeling her curves rub against me has driven me almost mad. The only way I’ve gotten through each session is by distracting my brain with numbers. Oh, and cold showers afterward.
She thinks the attraction is gone, but it’s only gotten worse. Still, nothing’s changed on my end. The thought of sharing… When I heard her with Mateo last night, I wanted to storm in and rip them apart.
Fifteen minutes later, she’s back, but instead of leggings and a long t-shirt, she’s wearing business attire. Her bright pink hair is pulled into a low bun behind her head, and she’s wearing make-up. She’s transformed her usual natural bohemian look into something utterly sophisticated.
“Perfect,” I state firmly when she slips by me and into her seat.
She snickers. “Of course, it’s perfect. Peyton picked it out.”
* * *
The irritatingly smugkid in front of me smiles broadly at Henley. He might look twelve, but in actuality, Blake Mason is Henley’s age, and the founder and CEO of VRDeck. Ignoring him, I take a second to get a feel for the office beyond the glass walls and the brightly colored room we’re sitting in.
It’s the epitome of a start-up environment. People are working in industrial looking cubicles, sitting at café style tables, or raiding the pantry for snacks. It looks like there’s even a lounge for people to play video or VR games, but given their products, it’s understandable. It’s a surprisingly well thought out office. Maybe I should introduce a few of these features into SEI to attract younger talent.
I write a mental note and tune back into the discussion.
“We’ve been approached by another party offering the same product,” he divulges, confirming the rumor. “Good news, though! I’m looking to make the best deal for my company. What are you offering?”
Henley turns to me.
Too many details can fuck up a deal, and I only want two things from this deal. “SEI is offering the code in exchange for the following—one million units delivered to us within the first six months and thirty percent of the profits for the first three years.” It’s an excellent deal. Even if production costs are in the higher range, it will still leave VRDeck with a healthy profit margin. And their reports say they’re cash-poor.
He looks disappointed. “I’m looking to diversify our offerings and really hoped you’d offer shares of SEI.”
I raise an eyebrow, knowing he’s just flexing his non-existent muscles. Everyone is aware SEI is a privately held family company and we never offer shares. My eyes dart to Henley. Almost never.
“What is the other company offering?” Henley asks.
“A true partnership,” he quips. “Splitting costs and profits fifty-fifty. Can you beat it?”
“Sounds like a great deal. What’s the name of this other company?”
Blake hesitates for a second. “LCW Holdings.”
She smiles at him. “Sorry, I’ve never heard of them, but I’m sure you’ve done your due diligence and checked them out. If they’re the powerhouse SEI is, you’ll be set.”
His brow furrows. “I’d like forty-eight hours to consider the deal.”
Good move, Henley.
“The deal is on the table for twenty-four hours,” I state firmly.
“But it’s not exclusive or guaranteed,” Henley pipes up. “Right, Mr. Santos? We’re offering the same deal to the entertainment company next, right?”
My cock twitches when she calls me Mr. Santos, but I order it to stand down. I frown and shake my head.
“Oops, sorry, I probably shouldn’t have said anything,” she winces.
