"Feyre!" Rhys called through his open office door. "Can you set up a meeting with the Board of Directors?" He growled at the email Mor had sent him. The Board was getting out of hand. They were trying to pursue their own interests using company marks but their own interests were leaning too far towards illegal.
"How soon?" She called back, probably far too used to him snapping out orders the last couple of weeks as stress ate at him. He always apologized and she always assured him she knew he wasn't actually yelling at her. She even assured him that she was getting frustrated with the whole Hybern and Velaris situation as he started finding more and more things she could assist him with on those particular problems.
"If they are all down there, now," he growled.
"Yes, Sir!" She called back and picked up her phone.
He owed her. Yes, she was paid well, but she wasn't only taking on the burden of helping him with the extra stress at work. She had also taken it upon herself to help him unwind as soon as they got home each night. Sometimes it was in the form of some very delicious looking lingerie she had found in a Velaris owned shop that she promised never to visit again without him present to help her narrow down the choices. Other times it was with a shoulder rub and a bottle of wine while they found something to watch together on the couch.
"They will be in their Board room in 15 minutes," Feyre called back to him. "What would you like me to do while you are down there yelling at them?"
"Actually," Rhys came to stand next to her. He rubbed the back of his neck while he tried to reconcile what he wanted to ask with how it should come out. Since Feyre had started taking on more work, he had realized how much of an asset she was. She was intuitive, clever, and had quite an ability to connect dots no one thought to connect before. It was giving him a new perspective on his business that he wasn't aware he was missing. "I was thinking I should have you come with me."
"Into your Court of Nightmares?" Feyre asked, using Mor's name for the Board of Directors.
"I'd like you to see how I handle them, and I want your impressions after," he told her. "Your talents would be much appreciated."
"Which talents are you referring to, exactly?" She purred out and he felt his pants grow tighter immediately. Not that they had ever done anything but work while at work, Rhys had fantasized about Feyre's very talented mouth and hands helping ease his more stressful days. He wouldn't breech the trust that he had built up with her that they could remain mostly professional at work, but some comments strained his abilities.
"I'm talking about these talents," he stroked a finger down her temple. "These ones will have to wait until we get home if you're so inclined," he brushed a finger over her lips.
"What if I'm inclined now?" She asked, her voice lowering into one of her more seductive tones. "We have fifteen minutes and part of you seems interested." She got up from her chair and pressed Rhys back into it.
"Maybe we should go somewhere slightly more private?" He asked as she unzipped his pants.
"You can see the elevator monitor. You'll know if anyone is coming," she murmured and then set to work.
It didn't take long for him to be almost shouting Feyre's name as she showed off yet another way she could help relieve some of the tension he carried. Then she was done and smiling up at him. She pressed a lingering kiss to his thigh and then excused herself to the restroom to fix herself up. Rhys simply stared after her. Yes, he definitely owed her.
She was back before long looking completely immaculate as she led the way to the elevator. "It's bad for you to face the Board looking so tense, you know," she murmured when he joined her. "It takes away from the image that you're unshakable."
"I know you're right. But you did not have to do that," he pulled her in close to him knowing they only had a moment before they were on the Board's floor all of one level below the executive floor.
"Did I go too far for you? I know the work place is a touchy area for you," she asked quietly.
"Did you go too far? My Darling, you have more reason to not want me looking at you at work than I will ever have," he promised her. "She… didn't usually have me do much at work. Certainly nothing that was for my pleasure. She reserved her more aggressive things for at home."
While he hadn't told Feyre much about Amarantha. She knew more than his family did. They had both opened up about past abuses that had left lingering scars one night while cuddling together in bed. Feyre hadn't just spoken about Tamlin, she had also spoken about her father's alcoholism, her mother's apparent lack of care outside of social status, and her sisters and their indifference to her struggles. In turn he had told her about Amarantha and some of the twisted things she had thought to do and the horrors of the night he had lost his family biological family.
"I will pay you back tonight three times over," he promised, pressing a kiss to her lips.
"You know I'll be begging you to stop after the second one and demand you ride me," she teased as the elevator doors opened.
"I'm not seeing this as a problem," he chuckled. "Ready to see me terrorize people?"
"Whenever you're ready, Mr. Nox," she lowered her eyes. A proper, respective looking personal assistant. He supposed he had Tamlin to thank that she knew that part too well. He threw his shoulders back, raised his chin, and walked straight back to the Board Room where the Directors should all have been gathering.
Feyre rushed to open the door for him and all but bowed him into the room. The Board all lowered their heads briefly in slight bows of 'proper respect' as had been drilled into them for years as he moved to take his place at the head of the table.
"Stand there," he turned to Feyre and pointed at a place just behind him. Next time he would ensure there was a chair for her. But she didn't seem to mind at the moment as she took the place he had indicated.
"What is she doing here?" Keir, Mor's father and the one who practically ruled the Board behind Rhys and then Mor, growled with a nod at Feyre.
"She is here because I asked her to be. That should be enough for you," Rhys replied coldly.
"I suppose you have a reason for calling this meeting such short notice," came the equally cold reply.
"I'm not liking the reports I've been receiving. Explain yourselves," Rhys snapped.
For thirty minutes he listened to them rattle on about expanding business ventures and possible mergers, about politics that would help them make a little more money, and about contracts they wanted signed. By the third time he heard Feyre shift on her feet behind him, Rhys had had enough listening and turned to Feyre. She was by no means weak or incapable of standing there but he knew she was in heels and standing still against the wall for a while was not ideal for anyone.
"Come sit," he offered and reached a hand out to her. He pulled her down on his knees and spun back towards the Board ready to listen some more, but they were all glaring at him.
"So it's true," Keir growled. "You hired Greene's illiterate whore of an assistant for yourself."
Rhys felt Feyre level her gaze at Keir but she said nothing. She didn't even shift though he could tell she was uncomfortable. He, himself, was on the verge of dragging Keir out by the arm and throwing him out the front door for verbally harassing Feyre in anyway.
"You do have to admit, she is unqualified to be anything more than a prostitute," came a response from another member of the Board.
"Miss Archeron is quite qualified to do anything she sets her mind to. She could take any of your positions the day she announces she has a mind to do so," Rhys could feel frost in his words. "I'll be requiring that any thing you want accomplished by this company go through Amren first to determine how legal it is. Feyre will you go find Amren for me? She should start while they are all assembled."
Feyre rose from his lap gracefully and made for the door. She was almost there when Keir opened his mouth once more. "You'll get what's coming to you, Whore. But who knows maybe you like it rough. Greene certainly thought so."
"Feyre, go." He all but growled. She didn't move immediately and he understood why. She was likely still in shock or perhaps she was waiting to see what he was going to do.
Rage. Burning, clawing, cataclysmic rage built up so quickly that all Rhys could see in his mind is shattering every single bone in Keir's body one by one. He was strong enough to do so and powerful enough he might escape more than a slap on the wrist. But he didn't want Feyre to see him like that, to see him rage like Tamlin would have. Instead he pressed a button on the phone right in front of his place at the table.
"Send up security. Have them help Keir Gold remove his belongings from the property as he no longer works for us. Ensure all privileges are revoked." Rhys looked up at his Board. "Anyone have anything they want to say to my assistant now?"
"You can't just fire people from the Board, we outrank you!" Came the reply.
"Ah, but you all signed new contracts a few years ago. Do you remember the newest clause put in?" Rhys asked, feeling victory calming his rage. They all blinked at him. "There was a specific clause about how one might forfeit their position and all stocks held in the company. A clause specific to harassment indicating harm or sexual harassment."
Amren had been insistent on that clause when she had written the new contracts up herself. It had been to protect Mor after the tiny woman had found Mor crying after a Board meeting where her father had harassed her so thoroughly that she had broken down. It had originally been meant to protect Mor from her father and his buddies but now it would work for Feyre.
"Your stocks are now forfeit to the company to be distributed as the majority stockholders see fit and you are now without a job. Take your threats and go," Rhys pointed to the door where two security guards were already waiting. "If anyone else has anything to add they can say it to Miss Drake when she comes to check over what work you're planning on doing."
Feyre was gone already, likely having left to get Amren in the middle of his conversation. He would owe her for subjecting her to any of that. The men that made up his Board of Directors all likely shared the same sentiment as Keir but they also liked their power and their money. Now that they knew what was at stake, they wouldn't be so open about their harassment.
Feyre was at her desk when he finally made it up to his office. She gripped his hand when he walked by and he held it for a long second before he dropped to his knees next to her.
"I wanted to kill him for talking to you like that," he confessed.
"I was afraid you would. But they are just words, Rhys. I can handle them," she stroked a hand through his hair.
"You shouldn't have to handle them. They will learn to respect you and sometimes that means examples must be made," he murmured. "He will have to be replaced on the Board and as much as I meant you could take his place, I don't believe you should want to. Those crotchety old men would make you miserable."
"I'm not sure they are much better than the Board of Directors Tamlin keeps," she announced. "A bunch of privileged fraternity brothers of his that jump when he says and call it adhering to rank."
"I know," he murmured. "I have a dream that one day it will get better."
"Then let's start on that," Feyre murmured. He looked up at her meaning to ask how she foresaw it happening. What she might think to do to bring about those changes gradually enough that it wouldn't upend his company completely. But the elevator doors opened and Mor marched out, a stormy look on her face.
"You fired my father?" She demanded.
"Call up Cassian, Azriel, and Amren to come up when they have time. We need to have a majority shareholders meeting," Rhys told Feyre. "And then I want your impressions on the rest of the Board when we have a chance."
"Yes, Mr. Nox," Feyre murmured, eyes downcast.
He was almost sure it was in jest but it tore at his heart more than it had earlier. He pressed a finger under her chin. "I never want you to even pretend you are submissive to me. You are far more powerful than you know and it's time everyone else here knows it too."
It took half an hour for his inner circle to appear and to finally sit in the conference room to talk. Rhys explained himself thoroughly and explained exactly what had been said to Feyre. Despite Mor's initial reaction, she seemed pleased to finally be rid of the man that worked exceptionally hard to make her life miserable. They agreed Mor would step into her father's place for the time being until a replacement was found. And then they turned their attention to how to distribute Keir's considerable stock holdings from the company. Once again they were quickly in agreement but Rhys wanted to make sure.
"If we do this, she becomes one of the biggest stock holders in our company," he clarified.
"Who better?" Cassian stood and stretched.
"She won't abuse the power," Amren also stood. "Though you should take some time to explain that power to her. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go torture the Board."
Feyre didn't ask about the meeting when he came out. She didn't ask any of them what was discussed and he loved her for that. He loved that she probably beyond curious but she would let him come to her in time. He planned to give her those details and many more.
"Can you clear my calendar for the rest of the day?" He asked her as he walked by her. She nodded and set to work rescheduling meetings and phone calls while he went to his desk to get the exact information he needed.
When he was ready, he gathered up his wits and went to Feyre's desk. Once she assured him everything had been rescheduled and entered on the computer, he offered a hand down to her.
"We're going to get an early dinner," he told her far more calmly than he felt.
"Oh? Are we coming back?" She asked, reaching for the drawer that held her purse.
"No. I think it would be best if you and I go home for the day after," he gripped the hand she placed in his.
"To make good on your promise from earlier?" She asked, her pupils dilating slightly.
"To do that and so much more," he promised.
For the first time, Rhys took Feyre to one of the places he took potential clients. To a place where he was greeted on sight and escorted to the best table without a second thought. Other people dining recognized him immediately as well because they were all big names in the business or political worlds and he could feel their eyes on him and her as he pulled out her chair.
"Any recommendations?" She asked Rhys as they opened their menus.
"Anything that sounds good to you. The chefs here do great work," he assured her. He made sure they both had wine and then turned his attention back to Feyre who eyed him.
"Why do I feel more like a client than your girlfriend at the moment?" She asked when he didn't speak right away.
"Because, in a sense, right now you are," he admitted. "My family has owned and run Nox Industries since the beginning. That man that spoke to you in such a wonderful way is technically family. He is Mor's father though we use the term loosely. When my ancestor starting this company he had only one son and passed his shares and the position of CEO to him. And this continued on. However, my great grandfather had two sons. He chose who he deemed fit which was my grandfather over Mor's grandfather. The shares were divided but not equally. Majority share holding still went to my family but it wasn't the fifty-three percent we had owned before. I'm sure Keir was always bitter his father never received control of the company but you can see how he might have embraced the darker parts of the company."
"No daughters in all of that time?" Feyre asked.
"Only my father had a daughter. And had she lived, he would have decided between us which would take the company though we were more amicable to each other and likely the other would have ended up with a high position if they wanted in," Rhys explained. "Keir owned a quarter of my company through shares which he forfeited today. I'm the only person who owned more than him."
"If between you two, you hold 53% of the company, how much do the others hold if they are majority share holders?" Feyre asked, her curiosity sparking.
"Together they hold another 25% of the company," Rhys explained. "Leaving the other 22% to my Board of Directors and other investors."
"But now Keir forfeited his shares so that means you're back to where your ancestors were," Feyre pointed out. "What does that mean for you?"
"I'm not back to where they were. It was decided, between my majority share holders, that it would be best if we distribute those shares elsewhere. Normally the shares would have to be bought from Keir but he forfeited them so they are already paid for. They just need to go in someone's name." He saw the tiniest frown form on Feyre's lips. "We would like you to be the one holding those shares."
Feyre simply stared at him and then glanced around the restaurant like she might be looking for an exit. Then her eyes came back to his.
"But I don't know the first thing about anything," she whispered.
"We will teach you," he assured her. "And really you don't need to do anything. It gives you some power within the company but how you choose to use it is up to you."
"I'm just your assistant," she whispered frantically.
"You're also my amazing and wonderful girlfriend who does far more for the company than she even realizes," he assured her.
"But what if things don't work out between us," she demanded.
"Should a day come when we decide things aren't working, then I have no reason to believe you would do any harm to my company." He kept his voice even and his face smiling though he was desperate to tell her that he sincerely hoped that day never came.
"You're sure," she pressed.
"I am sure, Mor was sure, Amren was sure, Azriel was sure, and Cassian was sure. We all agreed to the same person and that should tell you how sure we are," he told her. For a moment he saw her smile at the thought of the five of them agreeing. It was rare because Amren and Cassian rarely agreed with anything.
"What do I need to do?" She asked finally.
"We will spend dinner here talking about what this means for you and then we are going to get dessert at one of my favorite places and take it home," he promised her. "Then I'm going to make good on my promises to you."
They spent the entire dinner discussing what she could and couldn't do as a shareholder. Then they discussed her position at the company and his desire for her to attend more meetings at his side rather than just have her sit at her desk. And finally, they turned their discussion to the actual wealth that would now be in her name should she ever choose to sell her shares. Rhys took care of the bill and went to help pull out Feyre's chair, but they were stopped before they reached the exit.
"Mr. Nox, how pleasant it is to see you again," a cruel voice that brought back every bad memory had him turning to face a pale skinned, red haired woman with a cruel smile. She gave him a look over as if she could see beneath his clothes and then turned calculating eyes on Feyre. "Please introduce me to your client."
"Miss Scarlett, you know I don't share clients," Rhys kept his voice cold. He recognized the politicians sitting at the table with her. "Or did some time in prison make you forget that?"
He looked to the men at her table before he offered Feyre his arm and steered her well away. They made it outside before he turned to Feyre. "You're going to walk down the street out of sight of the restaurant. Keep your cellphone on you and have Az's number on speed dial. If you feel even slightly followed, call him. When you are out of sight of the restaurant, I want you to take a cab. Go anywhere but home. I'll have someone you and I both trust come and get you."
"Was that her?" Feyre asked softly.
"Yes, and you need to only look like a client, so you need to go."
She nodded and turned to him. "Mr. Nox, I look forward to what we might accomplish together," she offered her hand and Rhys took it to give it a firm squeeze. Then Feyre was walking away from him, her phone already in hand. He watched for half a second before he made his way to his car.
"She's pretty," Amarantha's voice came from behind him as he got to his driver's door. "Your next target on your long list of women you romance and leave behind?"
"A client I succeeded in wooing in a business sense only," Rhys told her. "Excuse me. I have other meetings to attend to." He opened his car door and went to shut it after slipping inside, but she caught it and held it open.
"We had such fun together, you and I," she purred. "I'm looking forward to our exploits again. No one has satisfied my cravings quite like you."
"I'm afraid you're out of luck. I'm too busy," Rhys went to close the door and this time she moved her hand rather than let it be crushed. He hit the locks a second later and very slowly backed out of his spot. He would return to Nox Industries, leave his car there because he was sure there was a tracker on it, and then he would slip out another way. At least he had gotten Feyre away before Amarantha could inquire too much into her.
Cassian met him in the garage with Azriel close behind. They said nothing between the three of them as Rhys exited his car and the other two began their search. Between them they searched over the entire care and came up with two tracking devices and a listening device. Azriel scrambled the signals on all of them and then took them to be analyzed further while Cassian escorted Rhys to the security office.
"Feyre called Azriel not too long ago. Someone followed her cab to the art museum. She told us about the encounter and we gave her further instructions," Cassian explained.
"Good. Is she safe?" Rhys sunk into a chair, his legs shaking.
"Last she messaged me, she had explained herself to the curator and was let into a closed exhibit while they pretended she was a consultant of some sort," Cassian chuckled. "We've set up a hotel room for her for the night. One of the best for a big-time art consultant that you are apparently doing business with."
"I want her home where I can be with her tonight," Rhys whispered.
"I know, but it's for her safety. We knew this was a possible problem when you two started dating and Amarantha came back into the picture," Cassian placed a hand on his shoulder. "Azriel's condo is the most secure. You're going home with him tonight. I have my most trusted men going to bring Feyre to the hotel and to monitor her once she's there."
Rhys felt himself sink at the thought. Feyre wasn't quite in danger but if he gave reason to suspect she was anything to him, they'd have eyes on her. He wanted her close for his own assurances that not only she was safe, but that this nightmare with Amarantha was only that, a nightmare. After that first week where she had occupied her own room for most of the week, they had gradually been spending more and more nights together until now it was rare they even bothered to pretend they were going to sleep apart. It was natural to have her in his bed. Natural to sleep with her tucked against him. And for that night at least, he wouldn't have that.
His phone pinged a moment later and he looked down to see a message from Feyre. Don't worry. I'm safe.