Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46967 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 235(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Chapter 3
Hudson
I want to ask more about Elle, but as soon as I cross the threshold of the conference room, my brothers all stand and are coming at me. They act as if they haven’t seen me in forever when in fact, I've seen each of them a few times since I’ve been home this last week. They all gather around me, and I allow each of them to pull me into a hug. They are all staring at me in awe, and at first, I want to run. I feel that I’m smothering, and I want to bolt, but I don’t let myself. These are my brothers. I grew up with them. We were abandoned by our mother, we’ve been through a lot together, and there’s always the fact that they have held the company together all these years while I went off and did my own thing.
After hugging Ford, I slap him on the back and make my way to the seat farthest from the front. “All right, guys. We’ve done the whole hug thing, let’s move on.”
I swear Ford wipes at a tear as he takes the head of the table.
Everyone sits down, and Beau starts handing out sheets of paper. I glance at it, but it looks like a spreadsheet of some kind. I recognize it from the emails that I’ve gotten through the years. After these meetings, Beau always emailed me to keep me up to date on what’s happening each week. Ford starts talking about the expansion of the fruit and whiskey line, and I know I should be paying attention. I really try to listen as they get into work mode, but I keep thinking of Elle, wondering what her story is.
They each talk and throw out comments every now and then. I feel each of them eyeing me throughout the meeting, but I’m acting as if I’m completely focused on the paper in front of me.
Ford talks about the company he signed in Vegas.
Lucas talks about Isabella and the baby.
Austin tells us he caught Larry and some woman named Emily getting it on in the janitor's closet, which gets a laugh from everyone but Beau. He gives Austin a lecture on how to handle such an “incident,” and it’s obvious that it goes in one ear and out the other, but at least Austin nods his head as if he agrees.
Everyone looks at me. Ford clears his throat and asks me, “What capacity do you want to work in at the distillery? We have your office ready. We can hire you an assistant, whatever you need.”
I start to fidget in my seat. “I don’t know that I’m ready to be chained to a desk.”
Lucas interrupts. “Do you remember Walker?”
Everyone looks at him curiously, and I nod. I do know Walker. I’ve actually worked with him on a few missions through the years, not that anyone here needs to know that. I think Walker keeps his business dealings and missions on the down-low.
Lucas picks up his phone and scrolls on it while talking. “Uh, I haven’t mentioned any of this to anyone, but I ran into Walker at a fundraiser right after Bella and I got married. He’s setting up a facility next to his compound.”
I nod as my phone dings. Opening it, I see that Lucas has sent me Walker’s contact information. I don’t tell him I already have it. “I’ve seen the building but wasn’t sure what it was.”
“Anyway, the facility is for wounded veterans. He’s looking for investors, and he asked if you would be willing to come talk to him when you got back. I think this is something that Blaze would want to get involved in, and I think you’re the best person to head it up.”
He turns to Ford, who is the CEO of Blaze, and Ford is nodding his head. “I think it’s a great idea, and I agree we as a company should be involved.”
I try to hold back my cringe. “Public relations really isn’t my thing.”
Lucas laughs. “No shit. But this is different. This is something he’s set up for wounded warriors. And it’s not a PR thing. Basically, you just need to find out what their needs are and what we can do to help.”
That does pique my interest. Lucas holds his hands up. “All you have to do is talk to him about it. Figure out to what extent we should be or want to be involved.”
I wait for the uneasy feeling to come, and when it doesn’t, I nod my head. “Sure, I can do that.”
Ford claps his hands together. “Great. That’s a great idea. I like it. Hudson, you can come back later this week and maybe let us know what it’s all about and what you’re recommending.”
I know this is his way to get me involved and keep me busy. “Sure, Ford. I can do that.”