Page 3 of Bad for Business (Pembroke Hills #2)

THREE

CAMILLE

“No,” I get out, shaking my head. “There’s got to be a better plan.”

I’m not the one to ever tell my dad “no” in the hope that I’ll stay on his good side, which is pretty much an impossible feat.

It’s unfortunate because the thing that powers me the most is the intense need to make him proud of me, even though I don’t know if he ever will be.

The only way that could ever happen is if I weren’t interested in going into public relations—or if I’d been a son.

He even tried to convince me to take on any other career, but it didn’t work.

Instead, I’m having to spend forever trying to make him respect me enough to trust me with Vaughn PR.

It hurts to know he would probably rather leave the empire he built to someone who doesn’t even share his last name because he’s so against leaving it to me, his daughter.

“This is the plan, Camille,” Dad barks, his eyes turning into slits. “If you’d like to become a partner at the firm, you’ll do as you’re told.”

My mouth snaps shut as my cheeks heat. I hate that he’s speaking to me like this in front of everyone. But what I hate even more is that I’m letting him.

I glance over at Ryker and quickly look away, wondering how we’ve even ended up in this situation.

When I met him at that New Year’s Eve party, it was obvious he came from money.

Everything about him screamed wealth. I should’ve recognized him—he’s appeared on many of the same gossip sites that our clients have—but I was too busy being swept up in his charm.

And now, I’m paying the price.

“We’ve never done this before,” I manage to get out. “And we’ve dealt with situations far worse than this.”

Ryker’s dad scoffs. “This is a PR nightmare for reasons far bigger than some celebrity who has knocked up their mistress. These are high stakes. Ryker needs to lie low and impress the Davenport Media board members. Doing it in the Hamptons—under the watchful eye of his publicist—is exactly what needs to be done.”

My dad nods in agreement. I look over at Brennan, wondering why Dad didn’t give the job to his favorite employee.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Ryker speaks up, his gaze pinned on me.

I narrow my eyes at him, wishing I was being assigned any other person. I’d even take on Grayson Kincaid—our current problem child at the firm—over Ryker.

Dad’s eyes look from Ryker to me and then back again.

The hard set of his jaw and the thin line of his pressed lips tell me everything I need to know.

“This isn’t up for debate. We called the meeting to let you both know that you have a private plane flying out tomorrow at eight. You’ll both be on it.”

A million questions run through my head. I don’t ask a single one of them.

Ryker looks over at his dad. “I’ll go to the Hamptons house and I’ll be on my best behavior. I’ll do whatever I’m told, so sending someone to watch over me like I’m a child isn’t necessary.”

His dad shakes his head and lifts his hand to stop Ryker from saying anything else. “I’ve already decided. We’re paying Troy a lot of money to fix this, and we’re trusting his judgment. It’s been decided, Ryker. Time to accept it.”

Ryker sits back in his chair with a defeated sigh. I watch him carefully, noticing how he seems to carry the burden of wanting to earn the respect of his father the same way I do.

If only he’d been thinking about his father and what it would do to the empire that is Davenport Media when he was sharing confidential information. Then we wouldn’t be in this mess.

“What’s the full scope of the plan?” I ask, crossing one leg over the other and pulling out my phone to take notes.

Dad lifts a single eyebrow. It’s not much, but it’s a start. Maybe he’s satisfied that I’m not arguing any further.

“We’ll take the time to create a schedule for the summer events that Ryker will need to attend to portray him in a positive light to the people who need to trust him.

But for now, you both will fly to the Hamptons tomorrow and lie low for a little while.

If you feel like Ryker is on his best behavior, the two of you will start spending your days at Pembroke.

” Dad looks at Ryker. He points a finger across the table.

“While there, you will act accordingly. Use that charm you have for good this time. Prove to them you have good judgement. That you’re an adult and can handle things.

Have adult conversations, and for the love of God, don’t give up any more secrets.

The only time I want to see your name on the internet is for things that portray Davenport Media in a perfectly shiny light. You got that?”

Ryker’s eyes go a little wide as he nods. I try not to smile at his reaction to my dad. It’s kind of funny to witness. I can only hope he’ll listen to me the same way.

“So this is it? There are no other options? I have to spend the summer with him?”

“Yes.” Dad unfolds his hands from his lap and places them on top of the wood table. He pushes his chair back, showing that he’s done with this conversation.

Dad stands up and leans across the table to shake Ryker’s father’s hand. “We’ll be in touch. Ryker’s in good hands.”

I straighten my back slightly.

Was that a compliment?

Before I can think too deeply into it, I’m pushing out of my own chair and hurrying after my father.

Although he might feel like the conversation with the Davenports is over, I still have questions for him.

I should probably tell Ryker and his dad goodbye, but I don’t think about it until I’m already out the door.

Plus, I don’t want to miss discussing this plan with my dad further.

“Dad,” I call softly, following him down the hallway.

He takes a sharp right into his office, leaving the door open so I can follow him inside. I shut the door behind me, not wanting anyone else to hear our conversation.

“If you’re coming in here to get me to change my mind, it isn’t going to work, Camille.”

He takes a seat at his desk. I stay standing, folding my arms across my chest as I stare at him. “I just don’t understand how that’s the best option. I get that the video is bad and that they need people to have faith in Ryker, but this seems a little extreme.”

“It isn’t extreme at all. This is different from what we’re used to.

The people on the Davenport Media board would rather Ryker had been caught in some scandal with somebody’s wife or announced as the father to some celebrity’s baby.

But that’s not what happened. He was dumb enough to let some reporter get the best of him.

She got important information out of him, and that makes him look weak. They don’t like weak .”

I nod as I mull over Dad’s words. He’s right.

While many of our clients do work under the impression that no publicity is bad publicity, the Davenports are different.

They’re in a whole different tier of clientele—and wealth.

It makes sense why Ryker needs our help.

I just hate that I have to be the one to do damage control.

“I’m trusting you to handle this,” Dad notes, his fingers steepling under his chin as he stares at me.

“If I do it, will you make me partner at the firm?”

He shakes his head, the sound of his laughter echoing off the walls of his large office.

“If the Davenport Media board is ready to accept Ryker as head of the company by the end of the summer, then yes, I’ll make you a partner.

” His tone is full of humor. It’s as if he doesn’t believe there’s any chance that’ll happen.

I frown, wondering why he seems so pessimistic. Shouldn’t he want Ryker to be accepted by the board? Does he think that’s a lost cause? The questions are at the tip of my tongue, but I keep them to myself.

His doubt only fuels me more. There’s nothing I want more in this world than to become a partner at this firm. I want to prove myself to my dad. I know he wouldn’t make anyone a partner that he didn’t respect. And his respect is what I’ve been trying to earn my entire life.

I stare at my dad for a few more moments, taking the time to collect my thoughts.

I want to know why he’s laughing at the thought of Ryker being accepted by the board by the end of the summer.

From the brief meeting I had with the Davenports, that’s exactly what it seemed like Ryker’s father wanted. Why does Dad not seem so confident?

“I want your word,” I say, keeping my voice firm and calm. “ When , at the end of the summer, the board is ready to accept Ryker with open arms, you’ll immediately make me partner.”

Dad smiles. “ If …” He emphasizes the word, dragging it out slowly. “…you manage to get the Davenport Media board to take Ryker seriously by the end of the summer, the partner position is all yours. You have my word.”

I push my shoulders back and give him a confident grin. “I’ll get it done.”

He shakes his head and dismissively waves his hand in the air. “Now, get out of my office. You need to pack and prepare. Don’t be late to the airport tomorrow.”

Normal families probably hug when saying goodbye—or at least say goodbye—but we’ve never been a normal family. I give Dad one curt nod and slide out of his office, softly shutting the door behind me.

By the time I make it out to the front entryway, the Davenports are gone which is probably for the best.

Ryker Davenport is probably the last person on this Earth I’d want to be forced to live with for an entire summer, but I have no choice.

Despite what my father might think, I’m good at what I do.

Give me a few months, and everyone will be taking Ryker Davenport seriously.

They’ll be practically begging for his father to step down and for him to take over.

I just can’t let the one night we shared get in the way of that.