Over the Edge (Bridge #3)(54)

“I want you to relinquish your stake in the company.”

His careful demeanor broke with a laugh. He wiped at his eye with an arrogant smile. “That’s rich.”

“No, but our clients are. And no one wants their money tied to a crook.”

“You know your father’s hands aren’t clean here. Why aren’t you asking for his shares?”

“I don’t deny he’s as much to blame for the failed reputation of the company.”

“Then why me? I brought in most of these investors. I have a stake in this. I’m not going to just hand it over.”

“That’s exactly why you should. They f*cking hate you right now. If you’ve got any money left over after the restitution and your very pissed off ex-wife wipe you out, you can invest it with me and we’ll give you a competitive rate. That can be your consolation prize.”

His smile disappeared and he narrowed his eyes. “You can go to hell.”

I leaned in. “Listen, fifty percent of nothing is nothing. Relationships are tenuous. I figure best-case scenario, we’ll lose at least half the investors whether you’re found guilty or not. They’re not going to wait around to see what happens in court. They’re going to wait out the lock-up period, and then they’ll walk. Worst-case scenario, I walk and you lose the rest of them. Then this company will be worth nothing.”

He was silent a moment, and I knew I was gaining ground.

“You f*cked up, Reilly, and someone has to pay. Sign over your shares, or good luck finding someone else who’s willing to put their reputation on the line to repair the damage you did.”

He held me in a cool assessing stare. “I’m willing to walk away as a silent partner. You’re Bill’s son. I trust you to run the company as you see fit.”

I shook my head. “If your name is anywhere on this thing, it’s over. I’m already working with a handicap. Representing your name and interests in any capacity becomes me sacrificing my reputation and time for certain failure.”

“What you’re proposing, it’s a lose-lose for me.”

I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. Guys like you can’t seem to see any farther than your nose. Ever think about doing the right thing today and hoping it might pay off tomorrow?”

I knew Reilly wouldn’t leave without taking something with him, but by offering him nothing, I wasn’t giving him the benefit of a favorable starting position. Still, I’d have to bend at some point. I half expected him to double over with laughter at my proposition, but he simply stared, his discontent obvious from his stiff posture and lingering grimace.

“You seem to have a good-hearted nature, Will. But that’s not what makes me money and secures a future.”

“Your attitude has you facing jail time, so maybe that’ll give you a minute to think about the difference between right and wrong.”

He cracked a small smile then. “I’m in this business to make money. If you aren’t, I’d have better luck promoting Adriana to run the company than you. The business won’t turn a profit on good intentions.”

“And it won’t crumble under unethical business practices as long as my name is on it. I’m not trying to screw you. I just want you gone so I can do my job. And for what it’s worth, I didn’t want this job. Keeping this venture alive is going to take everything I’ve got.” I turned the last few pieces of paper over to him. “The choice is yours. Get out, or I walk. I’m not going to be a martyr for the cause.”

He ignored the papers and drummed his fingers on the table. “Give me a few days to think about it. I’m sure we can come up with an arrangement that we can both be happy with.”

“No,” I shot back firmly. “You’re smart enough to have seen this coming, which means you’ve thought it through already. Yes or no.”

He pushed up out of his chair and paced the length of the table and back again.

“Okay, Will. I see your point. I admire your tenacity. I certainly know where you get it from.”

Hope flickered, but I kept my cool. I knew we weren’t done yet. No doubt he still had terms, and I still had to navigate my way through them to a favorable end.

“If you’re going to strip me of my shares, I can at least ask for a small concession.”

“Depends on the concession.”

“Obviously.” He slowed and placed his hands on the table. “Jia Sumner. You know her.”

“I know her well.” Better than he probably realized.

“She’s a hard worker. Highly intelligent. She’s on the fast track with the firm she’s at, but last time she tried to make a jump, she was passed over. We’d been in loose discussions to hire her on as the COO when the investigation brought things to a halt.”

“I’m aware.”

“Good. I still think she’d be an excellent fit. I trust you’re capable, and I believe she’d be a valuable resource for you to have by your side. Secure her position here, and you and I have a deal.”

His was a small concession. I didn’t plan on fighting him over it, but there had to be a reason.

“Why?”

His expression was unreadable. “I owe her a favor. It’s the right thing to do.”

I hesitated, enjoying this last moment of watching him twist in the wind. I clicked the pen and placed it on top of the papers that would sever his last ties to the company.