Girl Gone Viral (Modern Love #2) - Alisha Rai Page 0,52

refocused on the computer, where her two employees were gathered around a conference table. Being an investor wasn’t easy when one didn’t leave one’s home, but it was made simpler with a small staff of people she trusted implicitly to handle the face-to-face interactions and judgment calls that were necessary in this game. She leased a small, ridiculously expensive office in Silicon Valley for them.

So far, the system had worked. There was some speculation, but no one closely questioned who the wizard was behind the curtain of the KA Fund. Entrepreneurs were happy to get money, they rarely cared where it came from so long as they could keep building. “I’m sorry, Akash. Can you repeat that?”

Akash fiddled with the precise knot in his tie. He was her newest hire, and happened to be Rhiannon’s assistant’s cousin. Katrina trusted Lakshmi and Akash had struck her as clever and quick. He’d only worked for her for a year, but he’d done well in scouting out some good opportunities. They were working on his impulsiveness. “I was saying I think you ought to reconsider the handbag start-up.”

Carol was already shaking her head before Katrina could respond. She was in her fifties, and had been Katrina’s agent’s assistant many years ago. She was solid and cautious, and possessed an uncanny ability to suss out diamonds in the rough. “There are a million sustainable purse companies out there now. There’s nothing special about this one.” She grimaced. “Their samples are hideous, too.”

“It’s not about the company, it’s the people behind it,” Akash argued. “Two Stanford Ph.D.s.”

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Katrina glanced at Jas. He wasn’t using the pen anymore, but he was typing. Loudly. Was it his keyboard that was loud or his fingers? “Carol?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“What do we say?”

“Just because Google was founded by two Stanford Ph.D.s doesn’t mean we hand out money to every Stanford Ph. Dick, Tom, and Harry that walks in our door,” Carol intoned.

Akash adjusted his glasses. “Of course, I wasn’t suggesting that.”

“I read an article that the 3-D printing company this start-up uses to make their purses shut down under some shady circumstances. They’re having severe issues sourcing the product.” Katrina read a lot of articles. Sometimes the information came in handy, and sometimes it was useless. She was happy this was a handy time. “It’s not worth the risk as it stands right now.”

“I missed that article.” Akash nodded, once. “I won’t bring it up again. I’m so sorry.”

“Please don’t be sorry. I’m fine with you arguing with me. Carol and I have had some epic arguments over the years, haven’t we, Carol?”

The lines around Carol’s light blue eyes crinkled. “Epic.”

“Sometimes she’s in the right, sometimes I am. I want you to feel free to air your opinions.”

Akash perked up. “Yes, ma’am.”

Click, click, click. That stupid pen again.

She gritted her teeth, then remembered her employees could see her. “Why don’t we pick this up later?”

“Sure.”

“No problem.”

“Is there anything else urgent you wanted to talk to me about?” She held her breath. She’d been holding her breath for the past hour, waiting for one of them to bring up CafeBae, but they hadn’t and they didn’t now.

She supposed there were still some people in the world who didn’t know she was trending. Or, they were too polite and kind and in love with their jobs.

She signed off, and turned to Jas with a determined smile. “Jas?” she asked sweetly.

He stopped mid-click on the pen. “Yes?”

“Do you have anything to do? Outside the house, perhaps?”

“Well I do have to take Doodle to the vet, but . . .”

Oh, wait, no. She didn’t hate the clicking so much she would sacrifice her pup. What if the vet knew who Doodle belonged to?

However, Doodle needed to be looked over by the doc to make sure she was okay. Katrina wanted to be a responsible dog owner. “Okay. That’s fine.”

“Now?” Jas looked at the dog sitting at her feet, one big paw covering her foot.

Best to get this potentially hurtful thing over with. “No time like the present.” She set her laptop aside and leaned forward. “Who wants to go for a car ride? Is it you, my sweet darling?” Doodle thumped her tail, but didn’t rise. She’d really taken to being a spoiled pet.

“I’d have to leave you alone.”

She stared at him, puzzled. “I’m home alone all the time back home.”

“No. That’s different. Gerald is around, and Jia and Rhiannon sometimes, plus the guards.”

“Well, what do you call the people in the car parked