Undeniably His(23)

“From Loire Valley, France.” He smiles, handing me a cool glass of wine. I put the glass to my lips, tasting the juicy tropical fruits. My mouth feels like an explosion of rich citrus tastes of lemon and orange mixed with apple. It is light and fresh and rich all at the same time.

Kalin takes a sip of wine and places the glass on the counter.

“When the board demanded that I be cut loose for taking too much time off, I was at risk. Our shareholder agreement states that only two major shareholders or more can determine who the CEO and chairman are for this company. So even if I own fifty percent or more, which I do, I cannot vote myself in. The board can still control the company. That’s where you come in, Annabelle.”

“How?”

“I don’t trust the board, or anyone else in this company for that matter. A lot of people came into this company that I, quite frankly, would never have hired. I don’t trust them, and I don’t much like them.” He turns his head toward me, and his face tightens. “Not after what happened. That is why I need someone I can trust with my very life. This will give you power with the board. You can even fire me.”

“I can fire you? How? You’re my boss.”

Kalin runs his hand through his hair and turns to me with a deadpan expression. “Because I’m giving you a twenty percent stake in the company.”

“What? Twenty percent stake!” My eyes widen. “That’s impossible. That would make me worth…millions.”

“With my forty-eight percent remaining, that is a clear majority. But you can also break from me and vote with the board and the minority investors of just over thirty percent. You are the final vote, Annabelle. You hold all the cards.” He smiles.

My mouth is agape, and I pull my knees to my chest on the sofa, rocking back and forth. “This isn’t possible.”

“It is possible. I’ve already arranged it. All I need is your signature, and you will own twenty percent of the stock, transferred from me to you.” Kalin steps toward a large bourbon cherry hardwood desk, unlocks the drawer, and pulls out some papers. He places them in front of me on the coffee table. “You will hold a senior management position, a seat on the board, and have full voting privileges.”

My mouth slackens. “I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it, Annabelle. I’m giving you the deciding vote in the company.”

I place my hand over my mouth, taking the contract with my hand. I can’t digest everything that’s happening. It doesn’t seem real.

“Don’t you have a close executive colleague or someone in management who you can trust?” My brows knit.

“No.”

“Then why would you trust me?”

“I have to. I don’t have a choice. Besides, I told you I was a good judge of character.”

“Then why do you have managers who you don’t even trust in your own company?”

“The board hired them. The managers who I trusted either left or were let go during my absence. They control the compensation now, which has become very management friendly. They voted themselves pay increases, school tuition payments for their kids in expensive private schools, even private security.” Kalin glances down and back up to me. “Don’t get me wrong. That is all fine, if they earn it and increase the value of the company. But what they are doing is taking it from the workers. It is no longer about creating more value and sharing it, but taking it.”

He runs his hand through his mussed hair. “The point is, with your help, Annabelle, I’m taking this company back and bringing it back to its roots.” His eyes narrow in on my face. “Call it a coup, or a takeover, or whatever you want, but you’re going to help me.” Kalin presses his fingers over his jaw, while he angles his head down. “This will be our company, Annabelle. And there’s not a goddamn thing they can do about it.” Lifting his head, his eyes meet mine. “If you will help me.”

“This is really overwhelming, Kalin. I don’t know what to say.” I take a deep sigh, taking it all in.

“There are just a couple of conditions.”

“Just a couple? They must be big.” I smile weakly.

“You could say that.” His tone steadies into a lower pitch. “In the beginning, you do exactly as I say. You follow my lead, and you concur with everything I do. The board will try all kinds of tricks and even bribes to get you to vote with them. Until you learn what’s going on, you follow my lead. Your loyalty is important to me, Annabelle. It’s important to the company, and it’s important to the employees. Do you agree?”