Page 61 of An Eye For Illusion

“I didn’t realize you’d be attending our meeting today.” I sound formal and stiff, but I can’t help myself.

My thoughts are running away thinking about why he’d be here. My thoughts go to how he threatened my father and me all those weeks ago, and my back straightens. He isn’t a partner…yet.

“I called the meeting, babe. Dad and I have been mulling over a deal I’m brokering. We’re both excited, and I wanted you to see what I’ll be bringing to the company.” His smile is meant to be charming, but it makes my stomach churn instead.

Before I get the chance to ask what the fuck he’s talking about, the doors open again into the long hallway leading to Dad’s office.

Elliott places his hand on the small of my back, leading me off the elevator. I try to pace just a step ahead of him to pull away from his touch, but he matches my steps. I’m starting to think he knows how uncomfortable I am with him, and he makes it worse intentionally.

As we approach, Dad’s assistant crosses our path to open the office door for us to enter. “He’s expecting you,” she says with a kind smile.

I nod, too nervous about what’s about to happen in this meeting to let my guard down now. Doing that with Heather was enough for one day.

“There you two are,” Dad says, standing from his chair behind his desk. He rounds his desk and pulls me into a hug, kissing each of my cheeks softly. Elliott reaches out his hand to shake Dad’s, but Dad pulls him into a hug as well.

My heart sinks when I see the way my dad interacts with Elliott, knowing I’ll have to break his heart once I shatter the image Elliott has so carefully crafted. I wish I could’ve gotten some sort of information last night. I wish we could’ve found some evidence to end this sooner.

“Elliott has been working on an investment deal for us.” Dad beams with pride.

I shake my head in confusion. We aren’t investors. We buy out floundering businesses, revive them, and sell them at a profit.

Elliott holds up his hand. “Let me pitch it first, babe. Historically speaking, I know this isn’t the direction the company has gone, but I think it’s worth considering, and so does Dad.”

My eyes bounce back and forth between Elliott and my father. He already seems to have him on board with whatever he’s up to. I’m filled with panic, but I’m doing a damn good job at keeping a poker face.

“I’ve been negotiating a deal that could take Foster Global to the next level.” Elliott’s smile makes my skin crawl, but I haven’t protested just yet. I need to hear him out for appearances.

He continues, “We’d be investors initially, and once we prove to be valuable to the business, we can renegotiate the terms and become partners.”

That’s it? That’s the pitch? He seems awfully proud of himself. I look at my father, who is still smiling. He must have told my dad more than that to get him so excited about this deal. My dad is an intelligent businessman; not some schmuck anyone can easily fool into just anything.

“Again, we aren’t investors. Is he looking to sell his business?” I ask less than politely.

My father and I have worked tirelessly to build this company and its reputation into what everyone sees today. I’ll be damned if Elliott comes in and blows it all up.

“No, but we have the potential to become partners. It would mean expanding Foster Global’s reach. We could start an investing branch if you want to call it that.”

I stand, frustrated with even the suggestion. “No, I don’t want to call it anything.” I take a deep breath, trying to remain calm. “Elliott, this isn’t what Foster Global is. This isn’t what we do.”

“Jade, darling, hear him out.” Dad approaches me, placing his hands on either shoulder. “This could be growth for us, and a way to give Elliott a strong stake in the company. His own branch, so to speak.”

No, no, no. This isn’t fucking happening. I need to talk Dad out of this. I regain composure and decide to take another approach. I take a seat and position myself looking Elliott full on.

“This individual has connections across the country and some even south of the border that could benefit us as a company.”

I try not to raise my eyebrows, but they nearly disappear into my hairline.

“What type of business is this exactly?” I ask, not sounding the least bit sold on this idea.

“It’s a transport company,” he says flatly.

“Transport… Transporting what?” His posture changes, his shoulders going tight and rigid.

“Transporting goods from state to state.” Again, an extremely vague answer.

“What type of goods do they transport? Is this like a trucking company?” My voice rises to a pitch I’m not even sure I’ve hit before. Now Dad and Elliott’s eyes are wide.

Elliott blows out an exasperated breath. “Essentially, yes.” Conveniently he answered only the last thing I asked.

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