Page 15

Mackenzie

I lean against the glass door of Rhys’s office, watching as he sinks into his chair. It’s been a month now since we learned the truth about Justin, and the stress we’ve all felt is finally becoming more manageable. The press gaggle is down to a few stragglers, and the office is back to its usual crazy pace.

Rhys’s back at the CEO’s desk, and Theo has returned to dealing with our customers in operations. My hours remain long, but Levi and Georgia and I have found a good routine.

I’m almost afraid to say it, but things finally feel normal again, even though we’re still living at Theo’s.

No more walking on eggshells around Theo and his flirty behavior. No more holding our breath, waiting for the next problem to explode. Now, it’s back to our usual routine—getting ready for the board meeting today, which we pushed back because of the Justin news.

I flip through my planner, going over every detail like I always do. This is what I’m good at—checking the seating, making sure the screens work, and helping Rhys get his slides in order. Every task I check off makes me feel a little more in control.

But even with things more normal again, something still hurts deep down.

Justin’s not here. I feel that loss every second. And Crystal’s continued absence is adding to the weight.

I should call her.

I pull out my phone and scroll to her name. My thumb hovers over the call button. She’s talked to a few of the others, but she hasn’t answered any of my voicemails or emails since the news hit.

Still, I press the button.

The phone rings. And rings. And rings.

“Hey, Crystal,” I say when her voicemail picks up. “I just wanted to see how you’re doing. I’m sorry about Justin. I… We all miss you. If you want to come home, I’ll help. No questions, no pressure. Just say the word.”

I pause, feeling the weight of everything I didn’t say.

“Today’s the board meeting,” I continue. “I wish you were here. Jim and his team are doing their best to figure things out. Just…call us, okay? Let someone know how you’re doing. We’re all worried about you.”

I hang up and slide my phone back into my pocket. But the worry stays with me, curling around my thoughts like a shadow. Still, I have work to do.

I take a deep breath, stand up straight, and walk forward, right into the busy, buzzing world of EnergiFusion.

This board meeting has to go well. Rhys needs this to be a good day.

And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.

A little while later, it’s time to head over to the Fairmont to set up for the meeting. I’ve been riding with Theo a lot lately, and Phillip is our driver, but Scott Lovelock remains a steady presence as well. He makes me feel safe, even though I know there are still dangers out there.

After a few minutes, we begin the climb toward Nob Hill, and I know we’re almost at the Fairmont.

“Thanks, Scott,” I say as he stops the SUV smoothly. The cool morning air hits my face as I step outside, helping me focus.

“If you need anything, just call,” he says.

I wave over my shoulder as I’m already walking, reviewing every item on my mental checklist for the big meeting.

Inside the Fairmont, the hotel staff moves quickly and quietly, following my lead. The conference room—where Rhys will speak for the first time since returning to the CEO post—is set up just right. I double-check everything. Water pitchers are in place. The projectors are lined up perfectly. After everything the company has been through, today needs to feel calm and strong.

As if I called him with my thoughts, Rhys walks into the room. Austin and Theo are with him, deep in quiet conversation.

I give them a nod, and Rhys smiles in return.

“Everything’s ready,” I tell him.

“Thanks. I couldn’t do this without you,” he says.

The mood in the room changes as the board members begin to arrive. The quiet is replaced with energy. I stand beside Rhys, smiling and shaking hands as each person walks in.

Jim Adelson and Mason Sullivan come in together. They each give me a nod, silently saying, we’ve got this .

Jim meets my eyes again and smiles. Clear Security is handling things. Even though Crystal isn’t here, she’s safe. Jim has a man with her, which is a comfort. Jim has also kept up with the police as they chase leads and investigate how Justin ended up in that freezer. The medical examiner allowed our private ME to come in and take samples, and we’re paying for some tests the City wouldn’t otherwise bother with. If nothing else, it should speed up the process. So far, though, it’s taking forever.

When the room has filled, I sit at the table, tablet in hand. Across the room, Rhys clears his throat. His voice shakes just a little as he greets the board. This isn’t just any meeting. It’s a big moment.

“Before we go over today’s plans,” Rhys begins, looking around the table, “we need to acknowledge something important. As you all know, we’ve lost a friend and co-founder, Justin Capriotti.”

“We left his seat open,” Austin adds, his voice rough with emotion. “We kept hoping he’d walk back in. But now… Now we have to face the truth. He’s gone. And the space he left behind… It can’t be filled.”

I press my fingers to the tablet, but I don’t move. My usual focus feels far away, replaced by a dull ache. No meeting or business plan can fix the hole Justin has left behind.

“In the coming weeks and months, we’ll determine what that means for the company,” Rhys says. “But for now, please join us in mourning his passing and respecting the legacy he’s left behind.”

Silence falls over the room for a moment, and then Rhys nods to Theo.

“Now, for some important updates,” Theo says.

A bad feeling forms in my stomach.

Some of the board members nod, and I hear a few quiet voices agreeing. But it all sounds far away, like I’m underwater.

Theo clears his throat. “Thank you all for being here today.” He stands tall, looking confident. “The last two years have been hard for everyone. We’ve faced problems, big changes, and tough questions about where EnergiFusion is going. And now, with the news of Justin’s death, we’re all feeling the loss, not just as coworkers, but as people who looked up to him and loved him.”

The room goes quiet.

“I want to take a minute to honor Justin,” Theo says. “He was smart, strong, and a huge part of this company. We wouldn’t be here without him. But today isn’t only about the past,” he continues. “It’s about the future. EnergiFusion is more than one person. With Austin and Rhys helping guide us, we’ve gotten stronger. We’ve strengthened our product line and earned back trust after sabotage. We’re not just trying to survive anymore. We’re ready to grow.”

Theo’s voice is calm and strong. Every word is careful, meant to make people feel confident.

“As we move forward,” he says, “our goals are simple—stay steady, keep inventing, and grow bigger. Austin, Rhys, Mason, and I have made a plan to keep EnergiFusion as a leader in clean energy. That means better quality checks, smart partnerships, and new battery ideas that could change everything.”

He stops for a moment and looks around the room.

“Rhys will be stepping down as interim CEO,” Theo says, and for a second, it feels like the floor is gone beneath me. “He’ll return to the lab, back to doing the work that first inspired this company. And I’ll be stepping in as chief executive officer of EnergiFusion. The job will change, though, and we don’t know exactly what that is going to look like yet. But we’re committed to collaboration and shared responsibility, and I’m happy to be leading EnergiFusion into its next iteration.”

What the fuck? My eyes widen as the board members clap their approval.

“I know change can be scary,” he says after the applause has subsided. “But I promise you this. EnergiFusion isn’t just getting by. We’re doing better than ever. And we’re here to lead the industry with honesty, responsibility, and the same hard work that’s always made this company strong. It’s time to move forward and write the next part of our story—together.”

I see heads nodding. People whisper quietly to each other. He has their support.

My head is spinning. Theo is now in charge. Of everything. He’s the CEO of EnergiFusion. Not interim, but the full deal.

And I’m living in his house.

It’s too close. Too messy. Too risky.

Can I move back home now? Do I need to resign?

Something has to change.

Jeannie Young gives her accounting report, and everyone seems happy with our financial position. Deborah Cox presents a report on succession planning in critical roles, and I’m on the list. But that doesn’t matter. I’ll train someone to take over if need be. I can’t work for Theo again on top of everything else, can I? That feels like I’m signing myself up to be stuck in this position forever.

When lunch is served, the room comes alive again with quiet talk and clinking dishes, I look down at my tablet, trying to focus.

I was thinking about moving on from EnergiFusion before Justin disappeared. Something had shifted, and the environment felt different. Then I stayed to help until he came back, but now, maybe now is the time I should finally move forward.

If that’s not possible, I know my flat in the Marina is waiting, and surely, I can be safe again there now, even if Scott continues to be around. It’s normally quiet there. A place where I can breathe again, where Levi and I can continue to settle in together.

My mind whirls as I try to navigate the right path forward. I can’t see it clearly, but going back to work for Theo feels like exactly the wrong move right now.