Page 11 of Hate Mate

“I will be sure to keep you in the loop,” I promise as I usher the men out of our conference room, down the hall from my office. Only once they're all in the elevator with the doors sliding shut between us can I release the tension in virtually every muscle of my body, including my racing heart.

I didn't exactly tell the truth back there, but they never have to know that. All I needed was a foot in the door, and Willow granted me that much by responding favorably to my pleas. If I didn't know better, I would think she wanted me to beg for it before agreeing to meet with me.

A glance at my watch gets me moving quickly down the hall, where I already have everything packed up and ready to go. The family helicopter is waiting at the helipad in preparation for a previously scheduled meeting in the city. What a shame it took Willow so long to get back to me—we might have been able to work something out this evening, since I'll be in her backyard.

The driver is waiting for me outside, parked discreetly by the side of the building rather than in a more conspicuous place where guests might be able to see. I hate that I had to instruct him to do that, but I'm not taking any chances. I would rather not show my face if at all possible, not until this nightmare gets straightened out. If Willow Anderson is anywhere near as good as she's supposed to be, it shouldn't be much longer.

Though I'm not deluded. As soon as I'm settled in the car on the way to the helipad, I pull out my phone to compose a response.

Willow—thank you so much for your reply. I just got out of a meeting with my board, and suffice it to say I'll need to get started on this as soon as humanly possible. I would be eternally grateful if you could make it out here as early as tomorrow and would be glad to send my helicopter out for you if that would make things easier. Whatever you need.

Then, because I can't leave it there, I add, And so you know how extremely important this is, and how committed I am to working together, I would be glad to offer $200,000 for your services. Would that be enough to do the job properly? Please let me know if tomorrow will work for you, and what time I can expect you here at the club. I can't tell you what a relief it is to know I'll have you in my corner.

Because if there's one thing I've learned in this life, it's that you have to act as if. Act as if you have the job, as if you have the support you need, as if everything's going according to plan. It's the only way to get what you want. The world has a way of living up to the standards you set for it.

And while the thought of parting with almost a quarter of a million dollars doesn't exactly thrill me, I'm ready to do whatever it takes to make this happen. I will not lose what's mine all because of a moment of indiscretion. I will take this and I will learn from it. I will never put myself in this position again.

First, I need to come out a winner on the other side. The idea of standing in front of Nathan and the others while they vote to unseat me is unthinkable. When I look at it that way, two hundred grand seems a small price to pay to maintain my dignity and show that son of a bitch he's wrong, that Dad made the right decision by naming me as his replacement.

I am going to win, no matter what it takes. Because I do not lose.

Willow Anderson, you’d better be as good as I’ve heard, because you hold my future in your hands.

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