“The board still wants to go public?” Zac knew the situation hadn’t been settled, but not much had been said since it was first brought up.
“It’s worse than that.” His father leaned back in his chair and stared out the window. “They’re trying to oust me.”
“What?” Zac sat up faster than an arrow hits its target. “They can’t do that. You built this company. How can they try to take it away from you?”
“They can. You and I both know the long-term goal is to sell to one of the big financial institutes.” He shook his head and turned back toward Zac. “They’re using my stint in the hospital as an excuse to say I’m unfit. Jackasses were the ones to put me in the hospital in the first place. Not that they care about that. Can I count on you?”
“Of course. What’re you going to do?” Panic welled inside Zac’s chest. This business was his father’s, plain and simple. He’d do whatever it took to keep it that way.
“Well, we’re going to war, son.” His father stared him dead in the eye. “And you’re my general. Rumors can be the deadliest. So make some happen. Make sure people know my health is fantastic. And make sure people remember why they are where they are. I made this place. It will either survive with me or die without me.”
Zac nodded. This was exactly what they’d discussed before, but now was the time to enact it. “We’ve got this, Dad.”
His father nodded and waved him out the door. Zac stood, leaving the office without another word. The situation was less than ideal and getting worse. He didn’t want to play the role of corporate spy, but this was his father. This was his father’s company. He’d sacrificed so much to build it. Zac sat back at his desk to gather his thoughts. Most of the office had left for the day. He glanced at his watch. It was almost five-thirty. Not that he had anywhere to be.
But he did. He needed to network. He picked up his phone and called Maureen. “Where does everyone go after work?”
“Besides home? Most of the younger employees head over to McKennon’s for happy hour.”
“Thanks, Maureen. You’re the best.” Zac hung up and grabbed his suit jacket off the back of his door. He’d head over to the bar, make nice, and show them he was their equal. His father had already started it by putting him in the same category as everyone else. He just needed to play that up.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
He hadn’t responded. She sent the message on Tuesday and nothing. By Thursday, Macie had stopped refreshing the app. The only bright spot in her week was the check from MatchInHeaven, LLC for the graphics on Blind Friends. There hadn’t been any negotiations. They said here’s the offer. She said okay. They also asked if she was available for freelance work. Again, she said okay. So far, no calls, but she had a little bit of hope. Her student loans would be coming due soon enough and every bit of cash she could bring in would help.
“Macie!” Nancy shouted as Macie hurried past the office. “Get in here.”
Damn it. Macie had done a decent job at avoiding her boss in person. Emails and phone calls were still every two minutes. Macie stepped into Nancy’s abnormally messy office. It looked like a hurricane rammed the room but left the rest of the station untouched. “What’s up?”
“Alex.” One word, that was all she needed to say for Macie to sink into a chair and wait for the rest of the shoe to drop. “He volunteered to host a trivia night for St. Raphael’s. It’s free promo for the station so make him look like the Hollywood movie star he thinks he is. Here.” Nancy shoved the folder toward her. “There’s a stack of emails in your inbox with more, but get that shit there done first and shoot it back to me.”
“Will do, boss.” Easy enough and no shoe dropping at all. Macie stood and walked to the door when the shoe found her back.
“How’re your photography skills?” Nancy asked.
Macie closed her eyes for a moment before turning around. She’d almost made it to freedom. “Nonexistent.”
“Grab a camera from Joe. And get existent.” Nancy grimaced and massaged her temple. “He wants you to take photos of him for the social media pages. And a little video.”
“Hire a cameraman. I’m not qualified to do any of that.” Anger surged in Macie’s gut as Nancy shook her head. “And I get a raise for all this extra work, right?”
“You get to keep your job. Isn’t that enough?”
Macie walked over to Nancy’s desk and dropped the folder on her calendar. “Nope.”
She needed the job, more than Nancy realized, but she needed her dignity too. She’d been there almost a month, and until Alex decided she was to be his own personal bitch, she’d enjoyed it. But the minute Nancy bowed to Alex, Macie’s life had been hell.
“You’re a good designer,” Nancy said. Each word was clipped with threat. “I’d hate to lose you over this.”
It was a powerplay. One Macie would’ve made herself if she’d been in Nancy’s position. But she had one last Hail Mary in her bag. “Found a replacement for Ian yet?”
Nancy jolted back as if someone had slapped her. “I’ve got a couple of people I’d like to hire, but there’s only one spot, for now.”
Macie smiled. If Nancy had anybody she wanted to hire, she would’ve pulled the trigger. A quick chat with Mark would confirm that. “Great. Just let me know when to clean out my desk.”
The women stared each other down, but Macie knew she’d won. This time. There wouldn’t be a next time. Taking this job had been a desperation move and there were other options out there. Macie promised herself then and there she’d get her resume
