An Understated Dominance novel · Chapter 13 of 24

Chapter 13: No Sale

Harcourt's boardroom sat on the thirty-first floor of a downtown tower, with a view of the whole front range.

The table was black glass, long enough to land a plane on.

Forty executives sat around it in dark suits.

Russell Voelker stood at the head with a remote in his hand, and a slide behind him that said, in gold letters, PROJECT FIELD.

I walked in at ten minutes to three with Bev on my left and a folder under my arm.

Colter was not with me.

I had asked him to stay home, and he had said yes without arguing, which was becoming a habit.

"Thea!" Russell said. "How nice. Please, take a seat."

"I'll stand."

"Suit yourself."

A woman at the middle of the table, silver-haired and sharp, watched me over her glasses.

I guessed she was the chair of Harcourt's board.

The man next to her was typing on a laptop and not looking up.

"We're delighted to see you," Russell said. "I understand you have good news."

"I have news."

I set my folder on the glass.

"Mr. Voelker, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the offer."

"Harcourt is the most professional buyer I've ever dealt with, and your price is generous."

"I'm declining it."

The room shifted.

Somebody's pen clicked.

"I'm sorry?" said Russell, still smiling.

"Fieldwell is not for sale. Not to Harcourt, not to anyone, at any price."

"The letter of intent says it's settled."

"It's a letter of intent. It isn't binding. I read it twice."

"Thea." He put the remote down. "Let's not do this in a room full of people."

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