Read Online Never Forgotten: Second Chances by Alana Hart, Marlena Dark - Free Book Online
Authors: Alana Hart, Marlena Dark
Tags: Contemporary, first love returns, high finance alpha males, international high-tech business, female protagonist business success, choosing among lovers, loss of beauty
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ownership in the larger company. You'd be employees. Again, would you consider that?"
None of those sounded pleasant, but Megan knew he needed to know if they were absolutely off limits. "I think you should start viewing the company as your client with the goal to ensure funding of the new project. We can't let it all just go down the drain. Ideally, I'd like find someone willing to pay enough for Thom's shares and some treasury stock that we can finance the launch. That's what I'd like. If that's not possible, then we'd have to look at what is possible."
He nodded. "Good. I can work with that. We prioritize things."
"And you have the time and interest to devote to this?"
He waved his hands, indicating his office. "As you can see, I do not work in the chaos that most do. I've done well, and now I pick and choose my tasks based more on the people I'm dealing with and how interesting the challenge is. I no longer have to work for principles who are crazed assholes, and turning those people away is one of the reasons I worked so hard early in my career."
"You mentioned people who make their living finding companies to break up. Are there many of those? It seems almost anti-business."
"Oh, absolutely. Many more than you can imagine. If you were to get close to that point, the scavengers would be coming out of the woodwork like cockroaches. And as volatile as business is, there are usually plenty of companies on the ropes for them to choose from. They stay busy."
Megan shook off the ghoulish sense the idea triggered. It was a useful business thing, but making a living from the failures of others struck an unpleasant chord. "Well, if it came to it, breaking it up would ensure Craig's program survived, and we got something from it his efforts. That would be better than letting the company die."
Riley seemed to relax or at least settle into a comfort zone. "I find your pragmatism refreshing. We'll make something happen."
"So what do you think might be possible? I know our timeline is a pain in the ass. Of course, it's also the only reason we need to look for money."
He laughed. "Your schedule would be a giant pain if you were fixated on a specific solution, but if we can let investors put forth their own ideas, there's a better chance. And I'm optimistic because I've already fielded some preliminary inquiries."
"So soon?"
"The word seems to have gotten out that you have troubles. Maybe someone Thom talked to or someone inside the company let it slip... it doesn't matter, but I got a couple of calls from people looking to know more not that long after I got your call."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"It might be. Some of the early birds hope to scoop something up cheap before the serious offers boost the price. I have one man very interested in talking. I have to make a few calls to see if he is real or a tire kicker, or even an agent for someone else, but he wants to meet soon. If he is legitimate are you free for dinner this evening?"
The speed at which things seemed to be moving delighted Megan. Was getting financing going to be an easy thing after all? It would be nice to think she'd worried herself over nothing. Working with Riley certainly made it less confusing, but she forced herself to remember Thom's warning, that Riley would have his own agenda. "What about you? What outcome do you want?"
He grinned. "You mean will I steer you to a particular kind of deal because it's more lucrative for me? I could do that, but frankly the amount I make isn't that much different regardless how the deal is structured... unless it was a full-scale takeover, and I was offered stock. If it comes to that, you'll definitely see my hand in the till, but the money wouldn't be coming out of your pocket. Besides, I see us doing a lot of business together, assuming I do right by you."
"You do?"
"Sure. You are talented and ambitious. Whether it's with this company or another. People like you push the envelope. In my experience that means
None of those sounded pleasant, but Megan knew he needed to know if they were absolutely off limits. "I think you should start viewing the company as your client with the goal to ensure funding of the new project. We can't let it all just go down the drain. Ideally, I'd like find someone willing to pay enough for Thom's shares and some treasury stock that we can finance the launch. That's what I'd like. If that's not possible, then we'd have to look at what is possible."
He nodded. "Good. I can work with that. We prioritize things."
"And you have the time and interest to devote to this?"
He waved his hands, indicating his office. "As you can see, I do not work in the chaos that most do. I've done well, and now I pick and choose my tasks based more on the people I'm dealing with and how interesting the challenge is. I no longer have to work for principles who are crazed assholes, and turning those people away is one of the reasons I worked so hard early in my career."
"You mentioned people who make their living finding companies to break up. Are there many of those? It seems almost anti-business."
"Oh, absolutely. Many more than you can imagine. If you were to get close to that point, the scavengers would be coming out of the woodwork like cockroaches. And as volatile as business is, there are usually plenty of companies on the ropes for them to choose from. They stay busy."
Megan shook off the ghoulish sense the idea triggered. It was a useful business thing, but making a living from the failures of others struck an unpleasant chord. "Well, if it came to it, breaking it up would ensure Craig's program survived, and we got something from it his efforts. That would be better than letting the company die."
Riley seemed to relax or at least settle into a comfort zone. "I find your pragmatism refreshing. We'll make something happen."
"So what do you think might be possible? I know our timeline is a pain in the ass. Of course, it's also the only reason we need to look for money."
He laughed. "Your schedule would be a giant pain if you were fixated on a specific solution, but if we can let investors put forth their own ideas, there's a better chance. And I'm optimistic because I've already fielded some preliminary inquiries."
"So soon?"
"The word seems to have gotten out that you have troubles. Maybe someone Thom talked to or someone inside the company let it slip... it doesn't matter, but I got a couple of calls from people looking to know more not that long after I got your call."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"It might be. Some of the early birds hope to scoop something up cheap before the serious offers boost the price. I have one man very interested in talking. I have to make a few calls to see if he is real or a tire kicker, or even an agent for someone else, but he wants to meet soon. If he is legitimate are you free for dinner this evening?"
The speed at which things seemed to be moving delighted Megan. Was getting financing going to be an easy thing after all? It would be nice to think she'd worried herself over nothing. Working with Riley certainly made it less confusing, but she forced herself to remember Thom's warning, that Riley would have his own agenda. "What about you? What outcome do you want?"
He grinned. "You mean will I steer you to a particular kind of deal because it's more lucrative for me? I could do that, but frankly the amount I make isn't that much different regardless how the deal is structured... unless it was a full-scale takeover, and I was offered stock. If it comes to that, you'll definitely see my hand in the till, but the money wouldn't be coming out of your pocket. Besides, I see us doing a lot of business together, assuming I do right by you."
"You do?"
"Sure. You are talented and ambitious. Whether it's with this company or another. People like you push the envelope. In my experience that means
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