Page 58 of Exile

I may not come back.

We join early morning traffic as commuters head into the city, skyscrapers coming into view. No one speaks in the car, and when we pull up outside a tall building full of glass windows, Alexander motions for the guards to exit.

"Avery," he sneers. "We're here to conduct business. I expect you to be on your best behavior."

I don't respond, sending a deadly glare in his direction.

Clearing his throat, he unbuttons his jacket, opening one side. My breath catches in my throat as I spot a gun tucked inside his pocket.

"Good," he says, taking note of my reaction. "We have an understanding. Now, you'll be required to sign paperwork. If you even think of putting a pen throughmyhand, be rest assured I'll put a bullet in yours. The board is aware of your position and are just as displeased about the situation as I am."

The board? As in… the Lilydale Board?

Alexander tilts his head toward the door. "Out."

I slide along the seat, shivering as cold air hits me in the face. The two guards are waiting on the sidewalk for us, immediately stationing themselves on either side of me.

Alexander walks ahead without glancing at us, and when I hesitate for a moment, I'm grabbed by the elbows.

"I can walk," I hiss at them, quickly moving and freeing myself from their grasps.

People bustle around the entrance, the monochrome and beige interior blending into the suits and briefcases. I mustlook the part, or some acceptable level, because no one bothers to glance at us. Even having guards on either side of me, there's no curious stares.

Alexander signals for the elevators and just my luck, we manage to get the entire metal box to ourselves. Terrible music plays through the speakers as we rise. My eyes stay glued to the floor numbers, heart skipping a beat when we stop at forty-two.

The doors open into a wide reception, the smell of cleaning chemicals leaving a sour taste on my tongue. A young receptionist sits at a desk in front of the elevators, her eyes widening in acknowledgment as she spots Alexander.

"Mr. Dale. They are ready for you in Conference Room Three."

"Thank you, Evelyn."

I try to catch her eye—maybe to send an SOS. But she doesn't pay me any attention, returning to her computer as the phone rings.

Fuck.

I'm really in a world of trouble.

Conference Room Three is pretty easy to find. Large printed font on glass doors acts as a countdown, and when we reach the third room overlooking the busy city below, a dozen eyes fall on us.

The long table is filled all but for two seats, with Alexander at the head. He doesn't sit down straight away, gesturing for me to take a seat on his left.

"Ms. White," he murmurs sternly, reverting back to formalities.

A hand shoves me in my back, my feet stumbling as I move while every set of eyes watch me carefully. I sit down next to a middle aged man with short dark blond hair, his pale blue irises and thin lips sneering as if he's being punished by being sat next to me.

"Good Morning gentlemen," Alexander greets loudly when I'm seated. "Thank you for meeting me. We have some urgent business to attend to. But first, I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to someonespecial."

My stomach clenches painfully and for a split second, I consider running full speed at the glass windows to launch myself into the streets below. Anything to get away from this.

Alexander steps behind me, his cold hand gracing my shoulder in an almost intimate touch.

"This is Avery White. The newest shareholder of our corporation. And my soon to be former daughter-in-law."

Chapter 22

Theo

It's amazing how some people defy the laws of survival. Confidence and ill-thought wisdom tend to occupy the space in people's brains where they ought to have common sense.