The King - S.R. Jones Page 0,15

of shit,” Suzy says. “We’re supposed to be motivated to work as normal when we won’t know if we have a job? And I’ve heard about these guys. Their management team is supposed to be ruthless fucks. The guy who owns the company, set it up, is meant to be an absolute bastard.”

I feel sick. Great, so even if I keep my job, it won’t be remotely the same. We had a fantastic working atmosphere here, and Alistair and his team were open and friendly. Now it will all change.

“Okay.” Alistair claps his hands. “I know you’ve all got a lot to talk about, but the senior Silvanov team is here, and we’d like to bring them in to meet you briefly.”

The HR director, Ruth, stands and goes to open the door. Two women and three men file in. I’m looking at the two women and not the men. They are fiercely professionally dressed, but glamorous as hell too, and I’m grateful I made an extra effort this morning.

“Guys,” Alistair’s words have me looking back to him. “Mr. Silvanov, the CEO of Silvanov Asset Management, would like to have a word once I have finished going through the basics of this with you.”

“Fuck me, he might be a bastard, but he’s hot,” Suzy whispers in my ear. “Oh, God, I think I’ve got a crush. He’s … big. Oooh,” she moans. “I love a big man. Nothing better.”

I look away from Alistair to the man taking center stage, and my heart misses a beat as my skin turns icy cold, then red hot. I automatically push farther against the wall, sliding behind Suzy and putting my head down.

This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening.

The mantra repeats on a loop in my shell-shocked mind.

Standing in front of me, looking around at all the expectant faces, as cool and collected as an icicle and with about as much warmth is Konstantin.

Fuck my life. The man who I last spoke the words, “Your stepson is shit in bed” to is my new boss.

Then Konstantin’s words come back to me. He warned me he’d be seeing me again.

Shit, he knew I worked here. All along, when he was being a total dick to me in his swanky car, he knew I worked here. He must have done because he’ll have had our files. How long has he known? Why, why, why did I pick this weekend of all weekends to finally have a one-night stand and with a friend of my new manager’s son? It couldn’t get much worse. A meteor landing. Global nuclear war, or a super volcano eruption might be worse, but other than that … this can’t get much worse.

He’s going to fire me, I know it.

CHAPTER FOUR

Konstantin

Normally, I live for this shit, the thrill of taking over a new company and making it better, whether that’s by selling it off or re-invigorating it. I see the constituent parts and always know what needs doing to turn things around. Today, though. Today, my mind is occupied with the looming war coming my way. A Bratva territory grab that threatens to eclipse my focus on everyday business.

Right now, though, I need to get with the program. I look around the room, not really taking in the sea of faces in front of me. They are all apprehensive, nervous—as they should be; some will be losing their jobs, others will find their roles changed.

The company has stalled, no growth in over a year and a half, and the reason seems to be, as per usual, due to management missteps. Some senior managers, beings far too superior to be in this meeting it seems, have made bad calls. Others are superstars and will be my superstars now. The day to day game designers, and the IT consultants are shit hot. I haven’t bought a massive share in this company for its buildings or hard assets; those things are not of importance, not this time. It is the people I want. In particular, I want their IT guys—and girls. Not only because they’re brilliant, but because having people who really know their way around info technology will help my other businesses. Some of them, such as Cassie, will be helping me in less than legal ways.

Their gaming side is hot but starting to fade. They have outsold most of their competitors for five years straight, and their IT consultants finish jobs in half the time of some other companies. Sadly,