Rogan
Xavier had just finished with his board meeting when we finally arrived on the floor. It would have been nice if these two a**holes would have shown us the elevator instead of bringing us up those ridiculous stairs.
As this was my first trip meeting Xavier at his office, I was unaware of the layout beforehand. No matter, this was more a pretense than anything. There was no way I was about to let her come here of all places, alone.
Since I had to come up with a reason to accompany her, I decided it was about time to try to get a foot hold in Aspen's board of trustees. Vit was more than just one of my guards, he was also great at intelligence work and he let me know that there was about to be a shift in managing partners.
With things starting to happen on my lands, I needed to look into setting up additional contingency plans and funds if need be. There was nothing wrong with being overly cautious and I would not let an opportunity this good slip through my hands.
As a matter of fact, we arrived just in time for Vit and I to see just exactly who sat on this board as their meeting came to a close. Favor falls on those who never rest it seems.
When Xavier finally welcomed us in, I could immediately see the changes in his appearance. Where he usually looked so put together and pristine, he appeared to be run down and a bit frazzled.
This only heightened my desires to find out everything I could about this company and how I could utilize my position to my benefit. While I ran many rather lucrative businesses through multiple companies and holdings, I was always on the lookout for additional opportunities to dive into.
Xavier was one of the few humans who knew who and what I am and that made him as much of a liability as an asset to me. Regardless, I was more than confident that I could handle him if need be, but I will use him for everything I can for the time being.
"Must not have been a very good meeting by the look on your face," I greeted him casually. When he reached out to shake my hand I made sure to give it a nice firm squeeze.
I decided to let Vit sit in with us since he usually knows what's going on in these types of companies before I do. Xavier had his assistant bring out some refreshments and I knew he was already on the verge of giving me all the information I needed.
"I'm sure you're here to see what kind of insider tips you can get out of me, but unfortunately your to late."
I definitely wasn't expecting that, but before I let on to how unfortunate that was, I needed to know what had happened. Aspen is one of the companies that has always eluded my reach and I needed to find out why.
"You judge me so harshly old friend, I'm only here for personal reasons and I had some extra time in my schedule to make a house call, per se," I chuckled.
"Too bad I know you better than you'd like. It's been a busy few weeks and I don't have much time to spare so just tell me what it is you really came here for," he sighed.
Well if he insisted, I might as well just put it all out there. "I'd like to get in on the board of trustees if there's an opening."
I hadn't expected him to laugh as hard as he did. Honestly, with the amount of energy that he exerted I was waiting for him to inevitably pass out. But, to my dismay, he eventually composed himself enough to explain the situation.
"I thought you were usually the one to know what was going on before anyone else. How is that this one got passed someone like you?"
My patience was wearing thin and when I glanced over at Vit, I could see how annoyed he was as well. If there was nothing for me to gain or obtain, then this truly was just a personal visit.
"Well, it seems that I'm losing my touch old friend. Why don't you enlighten me and let me know what changes are happening behind my back."
Vit's face gave away nothing, but the clench of his fist at his side said enough. He traded information like others exchanged money and that was one of the main reasons I kept him so close.
"Aspen is acquiring new contacts within the communications industry and the CEO has decided to take the company in a new direction to make us true competition in the market."
Wait, CEO? Aspen had been run by a board since the original creator had passed away suddenly almost two decades ago.
This was news, and vital news at that. If this had truly happened this quickly with no one the wiser, there could be other reasons behind such a move. Who could have come in and suddenly done this, I needed to find out and see if I could get a meeting scheduled to secure a place in the things to come.
"It seems Gideon's heir finally decided to make his move and has gained enough shares to usurp the board and fully buy out the company with no room for opposition."
I linked quickly with Vit, "what heir," I demanded angrily. Vit's wince was a sign about how much of a problem this may turn out to be.
"Well, there had to be someone helping him from the inside for him to know how to get this done so stealthily. Or was this company ripe for a takeover?"
The look that passed over his face was confirmation that I hit it either right on the head or pretty gods damn close.
"You know Rogan, if you were human, you would have been one of the biggest business men in this city," Xavier said.
I didn't know if I should be offended or flattered, but I had to acknowledge his statement.
"Only the gods know why some of us are born blessed and why some of are forced to suffer the mundane mortal life of human kind."
Vit snorted softly beside me, and I had to admit, I can have a sense of humor at times. Unfortunately, my little comment seemed to fuel a little of the fire that seemed to have gone out in Xavier.
"Always too smart for your own f*cking good, aren't you? Well, you we're right. Gideon's son started working here in the company a few years ago and slowly started working his way up. A few weeks ago he set his plan in motion."
Well well, maybe I might like this fellow after all. Someone who is willing to get their hands dirty to attain their goals are just the kind of people I like around me.
"The meeting we just had was the final board meeting to release all those who did not want to take other positions within the company, essentially those who did not want to take the demotion were sent away with severance packages."
Well f*cking played. "Did anyone confirm that he is truly Gideon's heir? I heard the accident had taken his life and the life of his family." This board must have been weaker than I thought.
If some "boy" had come in and taken his father's company right out from under their noses, either they were incompetent fools or he was much smarter than most.
His anger was getting the better of him, "of course we did, what do you take me for. That was the first thing that I thought of, but everything came back proving that he was who he said he was."
Vit linked with me to let me know that he was going to work on how he didn't know about this before hand. This was something I thought had been taken care of almost twenty years ago.
This might end up being more of a problem later, so I needed to know exactly where Xavier stood now.
"So was this your last board meeting, or did you decide to stay on with Gideon's progeny?" I needed to see what cards I had left and which ones I had to put away.
"Don't worry Rogan, I'm staying on in a different capacity. I will be assisting the new CEO with all of the day to day duties while he continues to work on some new programs he is developing."
Well, I may still find some use in Xavier after all. I was about to ask some more questions, but we suddenly heard some loud voices coming from outside the room.
Xavier looked a little confused and we were about to ignore it and move on, but the voices got louder again. Xavier called over one of the assistants on the intercom and asked if they knew what was going on.
The voice on the other end stated that they would send someone to go and check it out.
I was about to have Vit go outside and see what was going on, but he suddenly linked me, "Noel is not responding to me."
If Noel was not responding then that probably meant that something was either wrong with Dylan or he was in a position that he needed to appear like he was human.
We needed to get up and get out of this room, I needed to go and find Dylan before she ran into Gideon's heir.
"Xavier, why don't we go out and see what is going on, there can't be many other offices on this floor right."
The shock in Xavier's eyes let me know that he hadn't considered who else was on this floor until right now.
"Yes, you're right. Let me go and see what is going on. The only other offices on this floor are mine and Roane's."
Wait, why did that name sound so familiar right now. Zane was growling in my head. "Roane was the name of that a**hole from this morning. He is the one who called himself Dylan's boss."
What the f*ck had I just ended up setting in motion. Zane was quietly cursing me and for once I let it slide because I knew I deserved it.
Xavier stood to go out in the hall and Vit and I immediately followed him. As soon as he opened the door, I heard two voices and immediately recognized one.
The moment I heard Dylan's voice, Zane's furry forced me to move and I was heading toward the only open door on this floor. She was nearby and I had to find her.
If that man, Roane Winters, who she was meeting with was Gideon's heir, then I needed to get her out of here as soon as possible.
The door to the office they were in was open and I saw Noel standing right next to Dylan, but they were blocked in by that man, Roane.
I wanted to shift, I wanted to push him out of the way and get Dylan the hell out of here now, but I knew better than that.
Walking into the room to fully assess the situation, I linked Vit to go and get the car and made sure I got their attention. The look he gave me when I asked my question only made me smile wickedly. Game on a**hole.