glittered.
“Exactly.”
“Say I do accept the position, when do you plan to put this in effect?”
“I’m sending you both back to Chicago tomorrow after the Owners arrive.”
“Does Tiegan know yet?”
“She does not.”
“And her current position? Who’ll be taking over?”
“For the time being, I was going to ask Braelyn to pitch in. I know she’s eager for something to do.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“I’ll figure something out.” I took a swallow of beer. “Right now, I’d just like you to review my offer and let me know your take on it.”
“Is it negotiable?”
“Everything is.” I smiled. “But I doubt there’ll be a need for it.”
“When do you plan to tell Tiegan?”
“She’s my next stop.” I pushed back my chair. “Perhaps she can help you come to a decision.”
He laughed and I saw in his eyes that this was what he’d been waiting for. Not the job, necessarily. But Tiegan. They thought they’d been hiding what was going on, but they weren’t. I even figured Tiegan constantly harassing Zion was one of her ways of trying to throw me off. I knew better. When it came to what went on here on Sapphire Island, nothing was a secret from me.
“I’ll look it over and let you know.” Memphis stood. “And thanks for the heads-up about Tiegan.”
It was my turn to laugh. “Good luck.”
“Yeah, thanks. I’m gonna need it.”
Yes. Yes, he was.
Turned out, I was the one who needed the luck. Not that all the luck in the world would help me now as I went head-to-head with a very upset woman.
“I cannot believe you would do this to me,” Tiegan hissed, pacing the spacious conference room. “I deserve that promotion.”
Because I knew she was merely venting, I didn’t respond. Had I, I seriously doubted Tiegan would’ve appreciated what I had to say. For one, I didn’t think anyone deserved anything. Certainly not from me. I believed I was more than fair in my business dealings, paying my employees far more than they would earn in the same position elsewhere.
On top of that, I provided them amenities they’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
Tiegan came to an abrupt stop, spinning to face me, her hands on her hips. “If I’m not getting the COO position, who is?”
“I’m offering it to Ransom.”
The glare she sent me should’ve singed my hair at the very least.
“And the CMO position?”
“I’ve offered it to Memphis.”
Her teeth snapped shut and I waited for her to explode.
I didn’t have to wait long.
“So that’s what this is? The good ol’ boys’ club? I’ve done every damn thing you’ve ever asked of me, Talon. And what thanks do I get for it? I’m relegated to—”
Her eyes widened as it all sank in.
Tiegan’s words were loaded with disbelief when she said, “I’m going to report to Memphis?”
“If he accepts the position, yes.”
“You know he will.”
I knew nothing of the sort, nor did I tell her as much.
“He’ll jump at the chance to—” She cut herself off, clearly realizing she was about to reveal what they’d worked so hard to hide for the past few months.
Deciding we were going to make no progress, I got to my feet. “I’ve got—”
“I won’t take it,” she declared, glaring at me. “I don’t want the job. I’ll stay right where I am.”
“Unfortunately, that’s no longer an option.” I started for the door.
Tiegan intercepted me, staring up, teeth bared. “Just because you’re fucking her doesn’t make it right. She’s too damn young for you, Talon. Too naive. And we both know you’ll get sick of her soon enough. What do you plan to do then? Make her one of your play toys? I can see it now, Braelyn—”
Before she could say something she would regret, I leaned down and got right in her face. “I’m warning you, Tiegan. And I’ll only do it once.”
Her face was red from her anger when she took a step back.
In an effort not to make matters worse, I continued to the door. No sooner did I turn the knob thanTiegan spoke, her words cold as ice.
“She thinks you’re a freak, Talon. It’s written all over her face. You just can’t see it because you’re all about the pussy right now.”
I took a deep breath and walked out of the room. If I hadn’t, God only knows what I might’ve done.
But as I walked toward my office, I couldn’t help but wonder whether there was a grain of truth in her statement.
TWENTY-FOUR
Braelyn
I had just ventured out of my room, going in search of dinner, when