“But as you can see”—Campbell looks dramatically around the room—“he isn’t here.” She levels Denise with a look that makes me think she wants to cut a bitch. “If you want to pretend to be a man and have a measuring contest, Denise, by all means, let’s. But just remember, I’m not from Kansas, I’m from Texas. And everything’s bigger there.”
I stifle the laugh that bursts out of my chest, coughing, then pounding on my chest with my fist. My theatrics are not at all convincing, going by Denise’s death glare. Campbell can take care of herself. And that is hot as fuck. Her eyes are flashing, her chest heaves slightly, and the focused, laser-like stare she has going on does things to my nether regions that I wasn’t sure could happen after Mike’s claws-out pounce two nights ago.
Before Denise can bluster, which I’m sure she’s about to do given the indentations her talons are making on the boardroom table and the bulge in her eyes, I step in. “There seems to be some misunderstanding.” Everyone swings their attention to me, though it takes Campbell and Denise a moment to stop eye-murdering each other. “Iam in charge. Not my father, not my brother. Me.” I narrow my eyes in Denise’s direction. “If anyone thinks their past relationship with my father has any sway, they couldn’t be more wrong.” She scowls at this, and it’s not an attractive look. Seriously, the woman’s lips pinch so hard creases deepen all over her face. “After me, the next in line in this room is Ms. King and her team when it comes to all things marketing. The contract between Moore’s and W&B does not preclude us from hiring another firm to consult and oversee marketing operations.” I stare Denise down. “If you have a problem with that, I’ll let my lawyers know you’re under breach of contract.”
Silence fills the room. Denise is fighting to relax her posture, and her associates look embarrassed by her outburst, but no one gainsays me.
Campbell clears her throat. “In the next slide you’ll see…”
I smile as Campbell picks up right where she left off before being interrupted. Her features are schooled into polite indifference as she informs the other marketing team exactly what they’ll be doing in the upcoming months. She’s poised, aloof, and utterly professional. It only makes me want to fuck her more.
Denise snorts at something Campbell says, drawing my eyes back in her direction. Something isn’t right there. It’s more than a marketing turf war, but I’m not sure what. But the same instinct that told me Gwen Hayes would be the one to pop my cherry in eighth grade, and that women would not only welcome the opportunity to rate dick pics but pay for the chance, is now telling me Denise isn’t done causing problems.
Everyone but Denisenods and makes nice with Campbell and her team before leaving.
I think the entire room would agree that Denise is acting like she has a big old stick up her backside.
“This is your new email. I want you to come up with a strong password. It’s better if it has letters, numbers, symbols, and a mix of capitals and lower cases,” Campbell says to Alice, who nods. “Now pay attention, because what I’m about to tell you is for your own good as well as my company’s, okay?” Another nod from Alice. Campbell reaches out for Alice’s hand and makes sure to look directly into her eyes. “Never, not ever, give your password to anyone else, do you understand?” Campbell shakes Alice’s hand when the younger woman simply gives another nod. “I’m serious, Alice. No one. If you have trouble remembering, or something happens to the system, Moore’s has a very reliable tech guy who will give you a temporary password, but then you immediately change it to something else no one knows.”
Sensing Campbell’s sincerity, Alice finally speaks up. “Yes, Ms. King. I promise.”
Campbell pats Alice’s hand. “That’s good, Alice. But call me Bell. You’ll also have a sign-in code to all work computers that’s different from your password. You’re only to use work computers for work. No personal computers allowed. Do you understand?”
Alice perks up. “I get a computer?”
Campbell smiles. “Yes, and a new smart phone.”
“Holy crap.” Alice claps a hand over her mouth and turns pink as Campbell’s husky laugh tumbles out.
Frowning, I move to the other side of the room while Campbell continues lecturing Alice on work phone codes as well as various security protocols and procedures.
Ben and Chris have decided to spread out and use the far back of the boardroom for a marketing brainstorm session. They’re arguing over font choices when I sit beside them.
“Is security that much of an issue in marketing?” I ask them. “Do other companies really try to hack your system?” I just can’t understand the sense of urgency Campbell had when explaining tech precautionary measures to Alice.
“Oh, that’s not for other companies.” Ben looks down at his laptop again. “It’s really for the personal protection of employees.”
Chris joins in, glancing at Campbell and Alice across the room before lowering his voice. “Story goes that when Bell was starting out, she got set up and fired for something she didn’t do. Someone logged on as her or something. The company didn’t have individual sign-ins or anything.” He shakes his head. “Now she’s fanatical about security. Makes sure everyone has their own personal passcode to log in, so all work is traced back to the computer’s user log-in with date and time stamps and stuff. It’s the only thing I’ve ever known Bell to get pissed about if she finds that someone didn’t follow the rules.”
“Good thing too,” Ben jumps back in. “A few months ago, her assistant tried to steal company information and pass it off as his own. Actually tried to set up his own business on the back of Bell’s work.” He snickers. “Moron.”
“She shut him down quick though, didn’t she?” Chris must’ve been addressing Ben because they both laugh at some private joke, their shoulders bouncing.
“You boys done giggling over gossip? I might need you to do some actual work for a change.” Campbell speaks from across the room, her brow and smile quirked up to one side, clearly amused at catching us whispering and laughing like kids.
“Yes, ma’am,” Chris says with another laugh, causing Campbell to roll her eyes. Chris sports a smirk while hunkering down once more over the laptop.
I store away the knowledge I’ve just learned with the rest of what I’ve gathered. But it seems with each new piece of information I acquire, the puzzle of Campbell King just gets bigger, not clearer.
TWELVE
Bell
I deserve a drink.
Following the first meeting with Warren and Baron, I arranged for all upcoming discussions involving Denise to be handled by Chris. I had to make him promise to stay vigilant when it comes to his work and security, probably feeding the rumor mill I know is already running. He wasn’t thrilled to be picked for the job, but hey, I’m the boss; I can do what I want.
Except Chase Moore. Icannotdo him. Well, any more than I did in the elevator.
