Brody - Ellie Masters Page 0,25

the air smells in here. There’s even a slight breeze that ruffles my hair. I don’t want to think about what it takes to keep all this running.

Mark and I gawk like a pair of tourists as we make our way to the elevators. Steel and glass, like everything else, we’ll have an impressive view of the atrium as we ascend to the fortieth floor.

The elevator dings and we file inside, just the two of us. I go to the back of the elevator and press my hands against the glass, then spin around at the sound of Mark’s ragged breathing.

“Oh, no.” I rush to him and put a hand on his back. He faces the steel doors, huddling against them. “I forgot about your fear of heights.”

“It’s okay. My eyes are closed and it’ll be over soon.”

I glance over my shoulder, a little bummed to be missing the ride up the elevator, but I stay by Mark’s side. We’re in this together.

The elevator ride is quick and comes to a near motionless stop. The doors slide open and Mark exits the elevator in a rush. He tugs at his tie as he places a palm against the far wall. Head down, he takes a few breaths to calm himself.

Fortunately, the walkway is broad. I give Mark the wall while I settle in beside him, a buffer between him, the banister, and the forty-story plunge to the atrium. I want to lean over the railing and peer down to the lobby far below, but I hold back that urge.

“It’s right around the corner.” Despite its size, the building is exceptionally easy to navigate. “Looks like we’re in the wrong business.”

“No kidding,” he says. “These equity investors don’t seem to be doing too poorly.”

They’re definitely not at that. I have a feeling they’re raking in the dough hand over hand. Once again, I’m reminded of how small Atwood Estates must seem to these people.

I take a deep breath, fortifying myself for whatever comes next. We’ll either walk out of here with the funding we need to turn our business around, or we’ll walk out with our tails tucked between our legs as we contemplate bankruptcy.

We head to a set of massive doors marked with Sterling Enterprises on the outside. A receptionist looks up from a desk that spans the length of the welcoming interior lobby.

“Welcome to Sterling Enterprises.” Her smile is soft. Her teeth bleached white. Not a hair is out of place. “Mr. and Miss Atwood, you’re a few minutes early. I’m happy to meet you. My name is Katy. May I get you something to drink?”

I hold back my surprise that she knows our names, but then that would be something an executive assistant might do.

“Um, no, thank you.” My mouth is parched, but I’m afraid my hand will shake and I’ll pour whatever she offers all over my blouse.

“I’d like some water, please.” Mark covers his mouth and coughs. He’s still recovering from his fear of heights.

“Excellent. If you’ll follow me, I can take you to the conference room where you’ll be having your meeting with Mr. La Rouge.”

“Excuse me?” I stop in my tracks, nearly tripping over my feet. “Our meeting is with Mr. La Rouge? I thought…”

“Yes, he specifically requested to meet with you. I’m sorry, but I thought you knew?”

I knew there was a very small, minuscule, highly unlikely chance. I take a look at my reflection in the highly-polished marble walls and am thankful I opted for professional and plain.

“This way, please.” Katy ignores my comment as if it’s commonplace for us to be meeting with the CFO of Sterling Enterprises. Then it hits me. Fortieth floor, the executive level. I missed all the signs.

With my heart racing, I fall in behind Katy and my uncle.

“How was the drive into the city?” Her lilting voice, and cheery disposition, is perfect for soothing anxious clients.

“Not as bad as I thought.” Mark tugs at his collar.

Katy guides us deeper into the executive suite of Sterling Enterprises, exchanging small talk with my uncle. I trail behind and try not to gawk. The hallway she leads us down is wide enough to swallow our home. Impressive doesn’t come close to describing this place.

She turns a corner and presses a metal plate on the wall. Twin glass doors to a conference room slowly swing inward.

“Here we are. If you’ll just make yourselves comfortable, I’ll tell Mr. La Rouge you’re here. Like I said, you’re a few minutes early, and