Page 50 of Billion-Dollar Attitudes

"Fantastic," my father said. "It will commence after my retirement party."

One of the board members, his face stiff, cleared his throat. "While there is overwhelming support for your taking this position, there are a few of us with some concerns. This business has been operating for many years based on values and family. While you have done great work for the company, your public image will come under intense scrutiny as the CEO. We need the CEO to show unwavering stability."

"I understand," I replied.

He glanced at my father, who nodded. "We have one stipulation to your acceptance of the position. You must be married by the day of your father's retirement party."

I blinked at him and laughed, but no one else laughed. I straightened my face. "Are you serious? Why? Because I'm a woman?"

My father shook his head, reaching over and patting my hand. "No. We told your brother the same thing."

"Do you have prospects for marriage, Amber?" one of the other board members asked.

"I…I…" I didn't know what to say.

It probably wasn't legal what they were doing, but what was I going to do — sue, my father's company? They were deadly serious, and I felt my head spinning. My father squeezed my hand, grounding me. I turned back to the board. "While I don't believe any of this is your place, yes, I have a boyfriend, and we have already discussed marriage."

The board members shook their heads, looking at each other, pleased. My father pulled his hand back and looked at me curiously. "That's wonderful, Amber. We were unaware."

I nodded, trying not to trip over my words. "Yes, well, he is in the media a bit, and we wanted to keep it quiet for now."

"Then it's settled," the board member said, looking at me with a sarcastic grin. "We look forward to celebrating your big day, followed by your big day with the company. Do keep us updated."

I nodded. The board room cleared except for my father and me. I stood up and stared at him when they had all gotten on the elevators. "How could you allow this?"

He stood up and walked over to the window. "I only have so much control, Amber. You know the investors are the primary controlling force here. That's what you get for growing. Someone got the investor's ears, and I had no choice but to agree." He turned toward me, his face softening. "But to hear you have someone you care about. To know you will have your own family. That is wonderful news. I hope you'll bring him over to dinner a week from Friday. Your mother will be excited to meet him."

The softness in my father's tone instantly broke my heart. I had never lied to my father, not about something of serious consequence. But at the moment, sitting there with all those eyes staring down at me, I felt like I had no choice in the matter. It was agreed on or lose my chance at keeping the company in the family.

"I'm really relieved that we'll be able to keep this company ours," my father said, pulling me in for a hug. "And you will be amazing at it. I knew it the moment you started here."

I laid my cheek against my father's chest, my heart breaking. All I wanted in the world was to make my father proud and give him the peace of mind that the company he worked so hard to grow would be taken care of when he retired. He had done so much for our family and me. He deserved that. Instead, he pulled back and kissed the top of my head.

"Now, go celebrate, and have a safe weekend."

I watched him walk out of the office before I let my half smile fade away. How in the hell was I supposed to find someone to fall in love with and marry me in three months? Hell, I didn't even like half of the guys I dated, much less could even fathom being married to any of them. I was never lucky in love. I was a true believer that you either got fortunate at business or life, and mine was business. I wasn't going to be the exception to that rule like Sicily was. I wasn't going to find some fairy tale prince to marry me and be happy with.

Everything around me felt like it was moving in slow motion. Not only had I found out I would be the head of the company, but that I was going to get married too. But, unfortunately, the groom was missing, and I had very little time to find him. A week to be exact when my family would examine him around a dinner table, and I would be locked in for the unforeseeable future.

I headed to my office, stopping at the secretary's desk. "Do I have any other appointments today?"

She looked at the screen and shook her head. "No, you're done except for your meeting at the Martini bar."

I nodded. "Thanks."

Fuck. For all the days to have to sit down in front of the guy who hated me, it had to be today. I thought about calling to cancel, but he had a terrible day too and was still going to show up. I couldn't really cancel over this when he was coming from a crime scene. Damnit, why did he have to be so reliable? Weren't bikers supposed to be prideful and uncaring?

It didn't matter, anyway. I needed a drink really bad. Or maybe like ten drinks really bad. I might as well get started with him staring at me across the table. I picked up my phone to call Sicily, but I tossed it in my bag instead. She had enough going on in her life. She was getting married, to a man she actually wanted to marry. And she was dealing with some psycho stalker lurking around her husband's office, leaving pig's heads in boxes. She did not need to hear about how I had stuck my foot in my mouth in a way it would never get dislodged.

"Pam, I'm leaving early today," I said, shutting my office door.

"Do you need me to call a car for you?"

I shook my head. "No, the bar is just two blocks away, and I could use the air."

The whole damn building felt like it was closing in on me. The elevator was torture, and I almost sprinted out the front doors of the building. As soon as the cool air hit my cheeks, my breathing slowed. I ignored the people that passed by, giving me a strange look. They had no idea what kind of fucking day I had. I walked over to the fountain and sat on the edge for a second, patting the sweat from my forehead. I took a long deep breath and tried to clear my head.

I took my time walking the rest of the way to the bar, knowing that the company inside wasn't going to be very exciting at all. Luckily, I was early, so I could get a few shots down before he even got there. Or so I thought. When I walked in the door, I had to let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. I stared at the bar for a second and then over at the tables, finding Ryder already there with a glass of whiskey in front of him. He was staring up at me with his mouth slightly hanging open. I frowned, and he promptly shut his mouth, acknowledging my look.

---