Page 238 of Enthrall Shadows
“He showed us your communications, Jasper,” I said. “Proving he worked for you.”
“Your fucking life is about to change big-time!” he yelled.
That leak at the Inquirer had come from this idiot.
It hadn’t taken those journalists too much digging around to ascertain Charlotte’s profession.
Shay had managed to pack one of them back to London. But there were always others in the wings.
“Check out the Inquirer tomorrow.” He looked smug.
“I’m more of a New York Times kind of guy,” I said calmly.
“Anyone who Googles your name will see that article.”
I couldn’t be bothered to correct him. Google searches could be controlled. We’d done that in the past and we could do it again.
“I’m aware of the article you’re referring to,” I said. “We’ll face that bridge and all that.” My calmness appeared to rile him up more.
I gestured to Shay to get rid of Jasper.
“Wait,” he said. “I’m not finished.”
Really?He wanted to stay and hear more?
“How old is your company?” I asked.
“A year.” His arrogance faded. “Ready to make our mark in the industry.”
“Right, well, Cole Tea has been around for centuries. You ignored our legacy. We have decades of experience. When a new company like yours makes a play, you don’t stand a chance. Because when we add up all the time we’ve dedicated to this specialty, that’s what makes the difference. We’ve seen it all. We are a behemoth in this space. Always have been, always will be.”
“We are set to take over your space,” he said. “You have no vision.”
“I am a Cole. This is more than tea to us. It’s a movement. A practice for living life. My vision goes beyond your imagination.”
Jasper looked smug. “Wait until that story comes out.”
I shrugged casually. “Lives will change, Jasper. But it won’t be mine.”
“How do you mean?”
“Dandelion Diva will be dead in the water.”
“Why would you do that to us?”
“Spies leave a bad taste in my mouth,” I said. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a night of celebrating ahead for all the good work we do.”
They dragged Jasper away with a security guard on each arm, our way of inviting him to leave the premises.
Shay made sure he’d left the hotel and then returned to my side. “Bet your heart rate didn’t go up.”
“What heart?’ I said.
Reese and Lilly hurried toward us.
When Reese saw the security guards around us, she asked, “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” I said. “Everything is fine.”
