Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven

Trenton entered Chase Investments, and the receptionist—Erica, according to her nameplate—popped to her feet.

“Mr. Shaw, you’re back. Kennedi had me wait here in case you returned, so I could show you to the conference room.”

Trenton checked his watch. He was late only by five minutes, but late all the same. He’d needed to get some air. Claudia’s call had thrown his entire demeanor off-kilter. The audacity of that woman to demand he see her, or she’d petition for an even larger settlement—he couldn’t contain his rage. She gets caught fucking another guy, but I’m the one getting fucked over. Where the hell is the fair in that shit?

Erica circled to the front of her desk. “This way, Mr. Shaw.”

They entered the conference room and all eyes turned toward them. Kennedi stood at the head of the room. For a moment her stare directed at him was about as harsh as his imprudent one had been to her earlier, before her all-business air settled back into place.

Trenton made his way to stand alongside her. She delivered him a mere glance then turned to face the many inquisitive expressions staring back at them.

“As I was saying, Chase Investments is making changes to better the company and allow us to grow. Trenton Shaw of Shaw Enterprise will be coming on board as Chase’s CEO—”

“Acting CEO,” he interjected, offering her a small smile that wasn’t returned. Okay, I deserved that. “Miss Chase is now president of Chase Investments.”

“What?” Richard was seated at the head of the table; his face blanched. “When did she become president?”

Trenton delivered the man a straight stare. “We just made that clear.”

“Does this mean Mr. Chase isn’t coming back?” Audrey asked, her expression crestfallen.

Trenton studied Kennedi as she said with resounding finality, “My father has decided to retire.” She didn’t even flinch under the hot light of the question. A stellar poker face if he’d ever seen one. Was she playing him about not knowing what happened to the missing funds?

“Are we being acquired by Shaw Enterprise?” a man asked in the far back right corner, which brought about a host of mingled chatter.

“No,” Trenton answered firmly. “I’m here only to aid Miss Chase. However, we’ll both manage the company.”

“Which isn’t saying much on her part,” Richard muttered low.

“Will there be layoffs?” a woman asked on Trenton’s left. “The company has downsized over the last year.”

Whether Kennedi heard Richard’s comment or not, Trenton noted she didn’t let on as she answered over the lifted voices, “Melody, there won’t be any layoffs. As we’ve mentioned, Mr. Shaw is here to help us grow as a company. If anything, we’ll be hiring more staff.” Chatter continued as she looked around. “If there are no more questions for us, you can return to your desks.” They stood and filed out.

“Richard, hang back,” Trenton said and moved to him. Kennedi came up on his right.

Smiling, Richard closed the door and faced them. “Let me say, Mr. Shaw, it’ll be a refreshing change to have you on board. I can see we’ll work well together in getting this company where it needs to be. I have some suggestions I’d like to share.”

“You do, do you? Well, let me say, if I ever hear you disrespect Miss Chase again, in as little a matter as her asking to borrow a pen, you’ll be terminated.”

Richard blinked. “I didn’t mean—”

“I know what you meant and what your end game is here.” Trenton could sniff out men like Richard a mile away. The man saw Chase Investments as easy pickings for him to reign over and most likely take over. “Now, what you can do is provide Miss Chase and me all the data available on the projects the company has had over the past three years.”

“Uh, all right.” Richard pulled open the door.

“We’ll need that information as soon as you can get it,” Kennedi added, and Trenton glanced at her standing quietly beside him, wearing not a frown or a smile, her features an unreadable mask.

“One more thing. You’ll no longer have signing authority,” Trenton told him.

His eyes widened as he looked between them. “But I’m managing director. I sign off on all things.”

“Not anymore. That responsibility is now under my purview. All items, down to the ordering of office supplies, must be approved through me or Miss Chase.”

Richard looked at Kennedi. “Your father assigned me this responsibility. I’ve been keeping this company afloat long before either of you decided to stick your noses into it.”

“Careful,” Trenton warned.

“It’s as Mr. Shaw stated,” Kennedi said, and Richard shot her a narrowed-eyed glare on his stalk out. She closed the door and released that stoic front, those amber-brown eyes slicing him like a newly sharpened scalpel. “Don’t you ever speak to me again the way you did earlier today. I don’t know who called you or what he or she said that set you off, nor do I care, but when you decide to turn into Mr. Hyde, you had better aim your venom where it’s deserved.”

He’d taken his anger with his ex out on her. “My apology,” he easily offered as he fought the incredible urge to pin her up against the door and kiss those soft, glossy lips raw. Seeing her in all her authority, he found her so damn hot. The woman was like liquid fire that radiated, engulfing him with the realization that the white-hot instant attraction he’d had for her Friday night hadn’t been mere lust. It’d been a long damn time since he felt this drawn to, this immersed in a woman.

He took a step closer, and a punch of tension seemed to stiffen her entire body as he reached around her to open the door.

“I scheduled the conference call one week out on Wednesday evening at nine. Next week didn’t work for one gentleman,” she said on her pivot out of the room. “I expect you to be on time.”

He had a conference call that Wednesday at eight thirty with Vincent and his ex’s attorney that he couldn’t cancel.

“Got it.”