Read Online Endless Summer Nights by Delansy Diamond Grace Octavia Donna Hill - Free Book Online Page A
Ads: Link
as a business involved in hostile takeovers of smaller businesses, and that the heads of your corporation live a life that is in the unreachable stratosphere for everyday people. Our goal is to reposition you—” she zeroed in on Gabriel “—to be accessible, real and have the best interests of your new customers at heart.” She swiped her finger across her iPad screen and turned it toward Gabriel. Lynn did the same with Max. “This is the mock-up of the preliminary promo material.”
Gabriel carefully studied each screen. His face remained inscrutable.
“We also strongly believe that to reposition you, you will need to form a separate company and you will be the face of that new company with a new focus and agenda.”
Gabriel leaned back in his chair. He steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “This business, our business, has succeeded for decades. I have the connections and the capital to get the resorts up and off the ground. You are suggesting that I push all this away and start like some beginner?” He pushed the iPad aside.
“What I’m suggesting is that you use your knowledge and your connections, but we introduce this business under a new umbrella.”
“Without the taint of the St. James name,” Max cut in, his tone of antipathy undeniable. “Your answer is to have my brother disown himself from his heritage, his legacy?” He snorted his annoyance. “That’s your master plan?” He stood and walked over to the window. He kept his back to the room. “I’m only here to listen. This is my brother’s venture and his decision. I will stand behind whatever his decision is.” He turned to face them. “I hope, if he agrees, that it works and that it’s worth it. If not, I will personally hold you responsible...Ms. Lawson,” he stated in a tone so warm and engaging that it was impossible to be offended, and at the same time the underlying implications were clear.
Sydni lifted her chin. “I’m not in the business of failure. Success is always my goal.”
Max’s full, rich lips quirked into the shadow of a smile that came nowhere near his eyes. He walked to the table, picked up the carafe of water and poured a glass. He handed it to Sydni then did the same for Lynn. “I have another meeting. It was good to see you again, Ms. Lawson—and Ms. Covington, I hope we will meet again before your return to the States.” He glanced toward his brother, gave a short nod and strode out.
Lynn felt her shoulders relax for the first time since Max walked into the room. She glanced at Sydni, whose expression was a picture of calm, but Lynn knew her friend and sensed the irritation floating off her in waves.
Sydni took a long swallow of water before setting the glass down on the table. “That’s our proposal. I have the greatest confidence that it will exceed our expectations and yours. But the decision is up to you.” She opened her tote and pulled out a thin, clear binder that contained the hard copy of the proposal along with a small flash drive that would allow him to review the presentation on his computer. She handed them to Gabriel. He took them and set them back down on the table.
“I will give your proposal every consideration— perhaps we can discuss this further.” His focus was completely on Sydni. She knew exactly what he was implying and the little lady between her thighs nearly answered for her. She swallowed. “Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns. We—Epic International—are eager to make this work.”
“I’m sure.” He stood, signaling the end of the meeting. Sydni and Lynn rose in turn. He pressed the intercom button on his phone. “Our guests are ready to leave.”
Moments later the same young woman appeared and held the door open. Lynn and Sydni followed her out.
“Ms. Lawson...”
Sydni stopped and turned. Gabriel closed in on her personal space. His proposal was low and intimate. “I think it would serve us best to discuss this over dinner. Tonight.
Gabriel carefully studied each screen. His face remained inscrutable.
“We also strongly believe that to reposition you, you will need to form a separate company and you will be the face of that new company with a new focus and agenda.”
Gabriel leaned back in his chair. He steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “This business, our business, has succeeded for decades. I have the connections and the capital to get the resorts up and off the ground. You are suggesting that I push all this away and start like some beginner?” He pushed the iPad aside.
“What I’m suggesting is that you use your knowledge and your connections, but we introduce this business under a new umbrella.”
“Without the taint of the St. James name,” Max cut in, his tone of antipathy undeniable. “Your answer is to have my brother disown himself from his heritage, his legacy?” He snorted his annoyance. “That’s your master plan?” He stood and walked over to the window. He kept his back to the room. “I’m only here to listen. This is my brother’s venture and his decision. I will stand behind whatever his decision is.” He turned to face them. “I hope, if he agrees, that it works and that it’s worth it. If not, I will personally hold you responsible...Ms. Lawson,” he stated in a tone so warm and engaging that it was impossible to be offended, and at the same time the underlying implications were clear.
Sydni lifted her chin. “I’m not in the business of failure. Success is always my goal.”
Max’s full, rich lips quirked into the shadow of a smile that came nowhere near his eyes. He walked to the table, picked up the carafe of water and poured a glass. He handed it to Sydni then did the same for Lynn. “I have another meeting. It was good to see you again, Ms. Lawson—and Ms. Covington, I hope we will meet again before your return to the States.” He glanced toward his brother, gave a short nod and strode out.
Lynn felt her shoulders relax for the first time since Max walked into the room. She glanced at Sydni, whose expression was a picture of calm, but Lynn knew her friend and sensed the irritation floating off her in waves.
Sydni took a long swallow of water before setting the glass down on the table. “That’s our proposal. I have the greatest confidence that it will exceed our expectations and yours. But the decision is up to you.” She opened her tote and pulled out a thin, clear binder that contained the hard copy of the proposal along with a small flash drive that would allow him to review the presentation on his computer. She handed them to Gabriel. He took them and set them back down on the table.
“I will give your proposal every consideration— perhaps we can discuss this further.” His focus was completely on Sydni. She knew exactly what he was implying and the little lady between her thighs nearly answered for her. She swallowed. “Feel free to call me with any questions or concerns. We—Epic International—are eager to make this work.”
“I’m sure.” He stood, signaling the end of the meeting. Sydni and Lynn rose in turn. He pressed the intercom button on his phone. “Our guests are ready to leave.”
Moments later the same young woman appeared and held the door open. Lynn and Sydni followed her out.
“Ms. Lawson...”
Sydni stopped and turned. Gabriel closed in on her personal space. His proposal was low and intimate. “I think it would serve us best to discuss this over dinner. Tonight.
Similar Books
