Carver
Another immediate response.
Carver -
Only the ones who deserve it. See you then.
Ingrid
Tomorrow. Fuck, I’m excited. For the first time in a very long time.
Ingrid seems like she’s on the same level as me. Forget the age difference, she knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to go after it. Just like me. Usually, when someone knows what it is that they want at such a young age, it’s because they’ve been through enough shit to know what they don’t want. I’m curious to find out what it is.
Later that day, as I drown in paperwork for my latest acquisition, I hear my desk phone beep.
“Sorry to interrupt, sir, but I have Cornelius Baxter on the phone for you,” Karen says and I groan inwardly.
Cornelius Baxter is the reason I’m sifting through the mountain of paperwork on my desk to begin with. He’s a complete imbecile who has no business trying to run a company. His father left it to him when he passed away two years ago, apparently unaware that his son is too incompetent to take care of it.
Baxter Technologies is one of the most innovative companies in the country, but Cornelius Baxter, Sr. was very old school. He wanted sole ownership and didn’t believe in a board of trustees. No one was going to tell him how to run his business. Honestly, he didn’t need them either. He was smart, imaginative, and always took the necessary initiative. However, when Cornelius Jr. got a hold of it, he ran it into the ground in no time flat. That’s when he called me to bail him out.
I consider asking Karen to take a message, but decide to take the call. I’ve been avoiding his calls for a few days now.
“Put him through.”
White noise comes through the speaker followed shortly by, “Carver? You there?”
“Yes, Cornelius. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve been trying to get ahold of you for a while, you’re not avoiding me are you?”
“Of course not. I’ve just been buried under all of the severely unorganized paperwork you sent to my office the other day. I haven’t had very many opportunities to come up for air since then.”
“Well, that’s why I’m calling. I’m no longer interested in selling you the company.”
My body stills as anger begins to swirl around inside of me. He’s gotta be shitting me.
“I’m sorry, I think we have a bad connection. It sounded like you said that you’re trying to pull out of our deal?”
“Yes, that’s correct. I’ve gotten a better offer.”
“We already signed a contract, Cornelius.”
“Well, what do I need to do in order to get out of it?”
“You’ll need to hire yourself a very, very good lawyer. That’s what.”
“Come on, Brooks. You know how bad of a spot I’m in.”
“And the money that I offered you, Baxter, will be more than enough to get you out of it.”
“It’s about more than just about the money, now.”
“What’s it about then?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Can’t and won’t are two different things, Baxter.
“Okay, look. I can’t go into a ton of details, but someone has their eyes set on Baxter Technologies. They called me a couple of days ago and told me if I don’t hand over the business to them, they’ll go after my daughter.”
I consider what he’s saying for a moment. Yes, he needs the money. I know that to be a fact. However, his family is part of Red River Society. Like mine, they’re virtually untouchable. Whoever has the balls to threaten them either has something serious on Baxter, or he’s lying. Unfortunately for him, I believe the latter is true. The Baxters have a long history of corruption and greed that runs through their blood.
“No deal, Cornelius. Sell me your company as we discussed and you’ll have even more money to use to protect your family.”
“Please, Carver. I’m begging you. If you do this for me, I’m prepared to arrange a marriage between you and my daughter.”
His statement trips me up. I did not see that one coming.
Is he for real?
Arranged marriages are commonplace among societies, but I never pictured being part of one. Nor did I think that Cornelius Baxter would so willingly offer his daughter up. Especially since the reason he needs me to reconsider is to keep her from being “taken”. I’m really not much of a better choice.
Though the filthy side of me can’t help but wonder if she’s hot; and legal. Cordelia Baxter is one of the most sought after daughters of the famous Cornelious Baxter. Rarely photographed, supposedly gorgeous. I haven’t seen a picture of her since she was in high school. It’s as if she’s more of a myth than a person. The idea is intriguing, but I could never entangle myself with someone so completely without meeting them first. What if I wasn’t attracted to her? What if she’s horrible in bed? Sure, mistresses are part of the society too, but I rather like the idea of being infatuated with the person I marry.
Like I was with Josephine. No, don’t think about her. Get it together.
“I don’t understand, Baxter. First of all, I heard that you and your dear daughter had a falling out several years back? Not to mention, I thought you were trying to save your daughter? Not offer her up to a dirty, old man like me.”
“You’re definitely not a saint, Brooks, but you’re a much better alternative to the man who wants her for himself.”
“Tell me who we’re talking about here.”
“I… I can’t. It’s too risky.”
I think for a moment, but decide against trading the sale of his company for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
I’m Carver Brooks and I won’t be bought.
“We’re going through with the sale. As I said, you can use the money you’ll earn to help pay for protection for your family.
I hang up the call and sit back in my chair. My gut usually doesn’t
