Page 103 of Harbinger

“Is that because Sydney hasn’t associated with them in years?”

“No sir, it’s because they were so busy. Their company is well known in circles like ours for being important. They had a lot on their plates.”

Jeffrey nods, his eyes thinning.

“Are you aware of how this company works?” Jeffrey seems to ask both of us.

We look at each other, and I can tell that he, too is trying to decide what to say.

“That in order to run the company, you have to be married to a man, yes,” I say a little too curtly.

“You don’t seem to like that?”

“I think it’s old-fashioned,” I retort.

They look at each other, then back down at their papers. What’s on those papers, I have no idea.

“We really appreciate your interest in this, Mrs…”

“Miller,” I tell him, extending my hand. He takes it, shaking it once before letting it drop like it was coated in something gross.

Incredibly rude.

The men file into a room next door, their quiet whispers a low hum I can’t make out. Ronan grabs my hand, holding it tight as he leans into me, pressing his lips against my forehead.

“I’m with you,” he says, wrapping me in a hug.

No matter what happens here, I have him, and that’s all that matters.

* * *

The men file back into the room as if they rule the world. Each and every one of them wears a grim frown, and I’m almost certain the answer is going to be no.

“Thank you for coming in here today, Sydney. Let’s cut to the chase, shall we?” one of the older, scrawnier men says as he sits down. “There have been concerns brought up by specific individuals who believe this isn’t real. That being said, we do try to do our due diligence and get as much information as we can on you before the meeting, and we can confirm that you are legally married, and when it comes to this company and your parents’ wishes, that’s what ultimately mattered to them.

I nod, my hands crossed in my lap as I keep my chin up. I don’t spare a glance at Jeffrey, but I can feel his eyes burning a hole in my head.

“Because of this and what your parents meant to this company, we are deeming you fit to take over.”

“This is bullshit, and you know it,” Jeffrey hisses across the desk at him. The man disregards him with a side eye, instead focusing back on me.

“Ronan, if you can just give me your phone number so we can be in touch to hand it over,” the man says, and while the fact that they regard women as property and cash is problematic, I’m glad I don’t have to have this man’s number in my phone.

Ronan walks back to the table, a grin plastered across his face, his eyes sparkling.

We did it.

“They’re going to bring this company down, so help me God,” Jeffrey complains, his arm outstretched toward us as he tries to get his peers to listen to him. He’s desperate, and there’s honestly something so musical about it. So beautiful.

No one is going to believe him.

He’s right, of course. Wearegoing to burn it down. But they won’t listen to him. Why would they?

When the men are done with us, or, well, Ronan, he takes my hand in his, the feeling of his warm skin on mine more relaxing than ever, and leads me out the doors into the hot Texas sun.

“You know, I really don’t like it here,” I tell him with a chuckle, shielding my eyes as I attempt to see where we’re headed.

“It’s definitely a lot to get used to,” he says with a smile.

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