Page 84 of Love Is Brewing

“That is how it is at Fierce. Ben is one that knows,” she said. “I’m aware of that.”

“Exactly,” he said. “But for this collaboration, the part that I’m sharing with Fierce is being made by me. No one else’s hands are touching it. I’d already decided that to begin with but had never told anyone. Mason has to do the same when he gives me their portion that I’m producing at my brewery.”

“Smart,” she said. “What are you going to do about that information leaking at work?”

“See, I’m looking at it that way too,” he said. “I have to decide if I let Braylon know. He’ll show up with West and I’m not sure if that will cause more issues.”

“Do you want my opinion?” she asked.

“Sure,” he said.

“From a legal standpoint, that is a scare tactic. People are afraid of attorneys most times.”

“You’re grinning,” he said, looking at her. “You like that power, don’t you?”

“Just a tiny bit,” she said. “But I don’t hold it over people unless I need to.”

“Braylon and West know when to do things and when not to,” he said. “But this is more personal than other businesses.”

“This is family,” she said. “I think if it were my client, I’d send out a mass email as a reminder that any information on boards or spoken to unauthorized personnel about operations is considered a breach of contract and could result in immediate disciplinary action or termination of employment. You’re not pointing fingers, but there might be a lot of guilty parties doing tiny things and it will stop with any luck.”

“Like Tristian telling his wife information,” he said.

“That’s right. It falls under it,” she said. “I’m positive you are familiar with a lot of message boards for beer.”

“I am,” he said. “Though this one I wasn’t and thankfully it’s small enough. All it said was we were working on a new recipe. Nothing more, but it’s still insider knowledge and I’m not sure where it’s coming from.”

“No damage was done, right?”

“Not yet,” he said.

“Then start small,” she said. “See what happens. Then plant traps.”

He laughed and turned to look at her. “You’re joking, right?”

“Nope,” she said. “I can’t believe I’m saying this. My grandfather was a very untrustworthy man. He was always planting traps to catch people.”

“That’s sad,” he said.

“It is, but sometimes to protect what is yours you need to play dirty. Wouldn’t you rather know now before more damage is done?”

“I would,” he said. “I’ll think about it.”

“Is there anyone you trust one hundred percent in the brewery?” she asked. “I mean, you can buy some people, but I’m getting carried away and thinking like a lawyer now.”

“I trust myself,” he said. “And my family. Kyle is about as close as I could get, but maybe it’s best to not have anyone else involved. There is nothing to set because it was a mistake and then talked about.”

“There you go,” she said. “But you’ll be watching and thinking.”

He turned to look at her again. “Like I’ve been doing with you.”

She lifted her eyebrows. “Me?”

“Watching you every minute I can. Thinking of you all the time. Am I alone there?”

“No,” she mumbled.

He put his hand out and she slapped hers into it. “I know your family liked me.”

---