Qwillia Rain - Unfair Advantage

Diablo Blanco Club: Unfair Advantage

Qwillia Rain

This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Published by

Loose Id LLC

www.loose-id.com

Copyright January 2009 by Qwillia Rain

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

ISBN 978-1-59632-806-8

Printed in the United States of America

Warning

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Chapter One

Bryce. My office.

The ring of Jacob Halseys voice greeted Bryce as he exited the elevator. Despite the irritation and disgust riding him, he deferred to his fathers tone and position as the CEO of Halsey Unlimited, Incorporated. He might be the oldest son and next in line to run the company, but in the office he was still just an employee. The headache that had started with the incident at the restaurant intensified behind his left eye. When he had the time, hed deal with it.

Catching a glimpse of himself in the glass doors leading into the reception area of his fathers office, Bryce paused to straighten the maroon silk tie hed loosened in the elevator. The emotions nagging at him were not visible in his green eyes or on his face. He grimaced at the length of his white blond hair. Having missed the appointments to have it trimmed, it now curled over his collar onto his shoulders and brought to mind the shaggy style hed sported the summer before his stepmother died, when he was teaching her and Michael how to surf. Shaking off the memories, he nodded at his fathers admin, and then stepped through the open door and into his office.

Once inside, Bryce knew the situation was worse than hed suspected. Besides his father, four other chairs around the small conference table were occupied. Victor Prommer, one of the company lawyers, relaxed in his seat next to Bryces personal attorney, Dixon Jeffers. The companys head financial analyst, Becka Swinfield, tapped perfectly manicured nails against the beige file folder in front of her. She met his gaze for a moment, then looked away. Richard Bennett, Halseys director of mergers and acquisitions, who, as vice president, shared joint authority with Bryce in running the company, leaned back in his chair, his gray eyes devoid of emotion.

Definitely not a good thing if Richard was shutting down. With his father at the head of the table, it left Bryce to fill the chair directly across from Jacob. Feeling like the fattened calf being led to slaughter, he took his time settling into his seat and nodded an acknowledgment to each of the others.

We have a problem, Jacob began.

A casual toss dropped a magazine in front of Bryces fingertips. He didnt bother looking at it. Hed shoved a prerelease copy into the garbage can at his home two weeks earlier. Knowing that his image was plastered across the cover with the ridiculous headline BILLIONS? YES. MARRIED? NO! in bold red letters above it, he addressed the problems related to the article. Im aware of the issues IT is having with voice and e-mails due to the increased traffic the article created from women trying to get my attention.

And the problems with security? Jacob asked.

Bryce didnt allow his frustration to show; he nodded. Ive spoken with the head of security. Extra men have been placed on all shifts to reduce the number of non-business-related visitors into the building. The throbbing behind his left eye increased.

It goes beyond the minor inconveniences, Bryce.

Itll blow over. He shrugged, leaning back in his chair. It has before.

It isnt just the magazine, Richard added. With the recent cuts in government spending, one of our military contracts has been eliminated, and two other contracts have been suspended pending Department of Defense budget negotiations.

Frieda and Lionel Makepeace, Frans Heilbeck, and Jonathan Reynolds have voiced some concerns. Jacob rose from his seat. Pushing back his suit coat, he tucked his hands in his trouser pockets. His gaze turned to Becka.

After flipping open the folder, she read off a series of figures. The faces around the table grew grim as she concluded, If our losses continue, cuts will have to be made in a minimum of two departments. Manufacturing and services are the divisions that would bear the brunt of the staff reductions.

Bryce watched his fathers face before scanning the others around the table. This was serious and not just rooted in a silly magazine article. What can we do about it?

Were working every angle possible, Richard assured him.

Fortunately, the Conlin merger is still progressing. Victor smiled.

Becka nodded. And the investment in King Enterprises of Australia should see some ship construction and cargo contracts come our way.

But the most important thing we need to address is the situation with you, Bryce. Jacob gripped the back of his chair.

Bryce leaned forward and pushed the magazine back to the center of the table. Beyond this article, I dont see how I can be held responsible for problems with the company. Most are a result of downturns in the economy and reduced defense spending.

Its been suggested I delay my retirement. The knuckles of his fathers hands went white with the force of his grip.

Why?

In order to find a suitable replacement.

It took everything in him to keep from protesting. Holding his fathers gaze, Bryce kept his tone flat, emotionless. Im sensing theres more.

His father nodded. Frieda and some of the other board members have requested that you tender your resignation once a candidate has been selected.

Bryces gaze turned to Richard, but the slight shake of his friends head could have meant not to say anything or that he wasnt in the running for the position. Turning his gaze back to his father, Bryce held himself still as he asked, And when do I have to make my decision?

Jacob ignored his question. Instead he turned to the others. Thank you for your information.

Although Dixon remained in his seat, Victor, Becka, and Richard rose and exited the office.

When only the three of them remained, Bryce shoved back his chair and stood. Thrusting his hands into his trouser pockets, he glared at his father. Hell of a way to ambush me, Dad. Thanks.

This is your only wake-up call, Bryce, Jacob snapped back. He was still an imposing figure. Standing just two inches shorter than Bryces own six feet four, his body reflected the care hed taken with exercise and diet in the last three years since a heart attack had almost killed him. Very little gray showed in his dark brown hair and his brown eyes were as sharp as a man twenty years his junior.