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“Okay, so we suck. What’s the plan?” Taylor cut in. She looked nervous, and Derrick didn’t blame her.
“I have a team working on the office building—”
“Excuse me? I haven’t even hired you and you are already wiring things?”
“I have a great reference,” Henry assured her.
“Oh really, and who would that be?”
“Nan is my aunt.”
Taylor took that in and seethed for a moment longer. “What is your background exactly?”
“I was in the Defence Forces in Ireland. I joined when I was eighteen and excelled, gradually moving up the chain of command based on performance and professionalism. Finally I was in charge of researching and utilizing the newest and best technology, and people, to provide protection for the Irish government. I recently got out of duty and was starting to build up a private security company here in the states when Aunt Nan told me you might need some assistance. And I believe your security needs a complete overhaul. I am up to date with the most advanced systems.”
“I’m really not sure I need anything too crazy, Mr. Lowsley,” Taylor said. “All of your background seems overkill.”
“With all due respect, Ms. Preston,” Henry responded firmly, “I don’t think you have a realistic grasp of the sort of spotlight you are in. You now run the largest merchandising company in the free world. In addition, you are incredibly private and have up until this point been able to keep yourself away from prying eyes. That is not going to be a possibility anymore. Running a company, you will have to be seen, and the far-off shot and wave is not going to be enough for the bloodthirsty photographers of today. They want you to lash out, make a misstep, and look bad because it will sell more. And if they have to interject in order to get that shot, they will.”
Taylor was motionless as she took in what Henry said to her. She was scared; the media scared her, and what they were willing to do scared her, but Derrick knew she needed to hear it. She was all too willing to take the same stance that her mother had: security was an unnecessary commodity that put you in a prison. But times had changed, and there was no way Derrick was letting her risk herself to prove a point.
Taylor swiftly turned to Todd and Charlie. “What the hell happened to the security at the office?” she demanded.
“Once Mr. Lowsley came to us, we went back and looked,” Charlie answered. “We found that much of the systems and trips have been turned off,” Charlie answered Taylor.
“They were pricey and Cedric didn’t want to pay the cost, apparently,” Todd remarked.
“And,” Charlie added, “upgrades had been budgeted multiple times in the last five years, but it was vetoed.”
“By Cedric?” Derrick guessed dryly, and Charlie only nodded in response.
“I have started with removing the system that was there—it was just in my way,” Henry informed Taylor. “Once that is gone, I will start laying the fibers for the system. And I need to know where you plan on having your permanent residence so that I can wire that also.”
Derrick watched as Taylor continued to take everything in, and then he saw the stress and tension she had been trying to hide take over her body. She started rubbing her forehead and swallowing, apparently trying to mull everything over. She was about to speak when the door to the room burst open, and Marty shot through it.
“Sorry, Taylor, but I almost forgot. Do you think you—”
When Marty looked up and saw Henry, she stopped dead in her tracks, and her mouth dropped open. She stood completely paralyzed as she took in the massive man. Henry was looking back at Marty very casually.
The interruption seemed to relax Taylor, and she smirked when she saw how Marty was looking at the hulking man. “Henry, this is Martinique Fletcher. Marty, this is Henry Lowsley. He is a candidate as my new head of security,” Taylor introduced them.
Henry crossed the room. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Fletcher,” he said, extending his hand.
Marty mindlessly extended her hand. “Oh my God, you have an accent,” she said in lieu of any introduction. Subtlety had never been Marty’s strong suit.
Henry developed an all-encompassing blush that started on his neck and extended up his face. He cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable as Marty mercilessly took inventory of him with her eyes, but Derrick wasn’t going to save him.
Unfortunately, Taylor was much nicer than him.
“Okay, Marty. Thank you so much,” Taylor said, embracing Marty. “I am so excited to wear the clothes you got me, and keep them coming, please.”
“Please, Taylor,” Marty said in complete stage whisper. “If you love me, hire that man! Please!”
“Good-bye, Marty,” Taylor said, smiling at her and kissing her cheek good-bye.
“Bye. Nice to meet you, Henry,” Marty said over Taylor’s shoulder, and Taylor non-discreetly pushed her toward the door. Marty took the hint and started toward the door. “Peace, bro. Bye, Todd and Charlie,” she said, and she was gone.
Taylor turned back to Henry. “When can you have the office done?” she asked.