Page 55 of Wretched Heart
“Remember, Maddie. We hold all the power,” Hunter says as he follows my anxious gaze. “The board just doesn’t realize it yet.”
It’s an odd feeling moving through reception and passing the small cubby hole that served as my office less than two weeks ago.
There are bright smiles from a couple of office staff behind reception. We all knew I’d be returning as a married woman, but I’m guessing it’s as much a surprise to them as it is to me that the man by my side isn’t the one I’d set off to wed.
Once we’re signed in, I sneak a glance at my husband. His expression acquires a dark intensity that wasn’t there two minutes ago. He must look intimidating to anyone else, but not to me. The mill isn’t my safe space anymore, I realize. Hunter is.
“Game face, Mrs. Griffin,” he whispers when he catches me positively drooling over him.
Hunter opens the door to the boardroom, but lets me enter first. He remains half a step behind as three faces turn towards us. No one smiles, but all three board members stand as I make the introductions.
Morgan is the first to extend a hand to Hunter, but his features remain pinched. He knows what happened toHugo. “Welcome to Corbyn Paper Merchants. From what I’ve been able to discover about Griffin Corps, this is quite a diversification.”
“Our specialty is restructuring mismanaged companies. So not that different,” Hunter says, squeezing Morgan’s hand until he winces. It might have been a mistake to tell him about Morgan witnessing my mistreatment.
“We’re here to learn all about your expertise,” Conrad says as he approaches.
With Morgan still hovering and Conrad moving in, I make to step to the side, but I feel Hunter’s hand on my back, keeping me in place. It’s Morgan that has to make room as Conrad shakes hands with Hunter.
Amos is last to greet us, and the first to address me. “Congratulations, Maddison,” he says. “I hope you’re doing well.” Concern creases his features. I don’t imagine he likes the idea of me being passed from one man to another like the piece of property my family treated me as.
I give him a hug and breathe in yet another comforting smell. Tobacco. “I’ve never been better,” I say, my words catching as the truth of that statement hits me. My smile softens Amos’s features enough for him to greet Hunter with a degree of warmth.
“You look after her,” he tells Hunter.
“I intend to.”
“Shall we take our seats?” Morgan suggests as he directs Hunter to a chair furthest away from the head of the table.
Hunter ignores him and pulls out the chair where Hugo would normally preside over the board. Everyone stills as my husband indicates for me to take the seat.
“Ah, I don’t… I don’t think…” Morgan mumbles, his balding head glistening with sweat. “Maddison, dear. Is it a good idea for you to be in here when Hugo arrives?”
“This is Maddie’s board and that’s her seat. I’m only here as her husband,” Hunter says pointedly. “And Morgan, I’d prefer it if you called my wife, Mrs. Griffin.”
Morgan drops down into his seat, but doesn’t say another word.
“Can I get you a coffee, Mrs. Griffin?” Amos says, his eyes dancing in delight.
I have to stop myself from insisting I can get my own. “That would be lovely. And I want you to call me Maddie.”
That makes Amos chuckle, not least because Hugo has a dislike for my shortened name so it’s not one I’m used to hearing at the mill. As he passes Hunter, he puts a hand on his arm. “Can I get you a drink, Sir.”
“Sure, Amos. And maybe when Maddie’s finished with business, you could give me a tour of the plant.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
I’m sipping coffee and listening to Amos give Hunter a potted history of the mill when there’s a notification on Hunter’s phone. He glances briefly at the screen, then tenses imperceptibly. His gaze holds mine. Hugo’s here.
Hunter has done his best to prepare me for this. We’d rehearsed how I’m going to set out our strategy for taking the mill forward, and it won’t be hard to show how passionate I am about it. Our proposals incorporate my ideas as well as Ash’s. It’s the perfect collaboration.
We’d worked late into the evening, running through different scenarios in case one of the board members, and Hugo in particular, try to launch a counter attack. I’m as ready as I can be to face my brother, but it’s still a shock when the door opens and I catch sight of his bruised and battered face.
“Jesus,” Amos says under his breath.
“Hugo! What on earth happened?” Conrad asks.
Morgan, the only one not to look shocked, tilts his head in Hunter’s direction, and Conrad blanches. Good. Let them fear Hunter. I don’t want to lose Conrad from the board, but if he’s on the fence about where his loyalties should be placed, I hope he’ll think twice before going against our wishes. Damn, when did I get so ruthless?
