Fierce-Cade (The Fierce Five Series Book 4) Read online

  So rather than put much more charm into Alex, he was going to talk business with her. Talk shop. Maybe help her out if he could. It seemed she was doing well for herself but he’d seen the hope behind her eyes when he’d brought up the web design and negotiating.

  She was hungry and he was ready and willing to serve her.

  Too bad it wouldn’t be the way he’d like.

  “Don’t believe everything you hear,” he said, laughing. What else was he supposed to say to her when she said she went to the same college as him?

  “I’m not one that believes gossip or rumors,” she said, her face straight.

  “You’d be in the minority then.”

  “Let’s say I’m sure I’ve had my fair share of talk about me and not much of it has been true.”

  He wondered what she could have meant by that but decided to leave it alone. Someone that looked like her was bound to draw attention. He still was going to keep it businesslike. At least for now.

  “So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.” He rubbed his hands together. “Prices and timetables. My sister, Ella, is a freak on the details so I need it all before I can make any decisions.”

  She pulled out a folder and opened it up. “Everything on this side is the items and costs associated with products, along with timelines. On the other side are printing costs associated with brochures, fliers, and the like. There are samples in there of that but not specific to Fierce. Just enough to give you an idea of what we’ve done in the past, though I’m flexible and enjoy creating outside of the box too.”

  He pushed the flexible comment out of his brain for now. It had no business being there when he was determined to be good. To be professional. Thinking of her long legs moving in various positions was just the opposite of that.

  “This is great. Lots of good information for me to take back to everyone.” He pulled his wallet out and then placed his card on the table. “A way for you to reach me if you’ve got any questions.” He’d seen her card already in the folder.

  “Do you have an idea of when you’ll come to some decisions?” she asked, picking his card up and looking at it. Nice long lean fingers. Sexy fingers. Damn it, the last of his professional thoughts just flew out the window like a gum wrapper in an open convertible.

  “I’ve got a meeting with my siblings Wednesday morning, so that gives me time to prepare a few things to talk to them about. Do you mind if I take a few of these items to show them, then I’ll return them?”

  She started to put everything in the box. “They’re yours. Free samples to do what you wish. I know the logos are old and not what you currently use. I’ve got no need for them here though.”

  “First off, thanks. That’s a great business practice. Second of all, don’t you want to keep them to show other businesses samples of what you do?”

  She smiled at him and he was right. A knockout. Her eyes lit up, more in humor than joy, but it still made heat rush to every part of his body that it had no business being in right now.

  “When I’m mass producing things, I always make extra and keep them as samples. But these are for you to take back and show your family.”

  “I appreciate it. You know, if you ever want to bounce any ideas off of someone from a business standpoint, I’d be happy to help.”

  “You don’t think I can run my own business?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

  Damn, the fire was better than the humor in her eyes and he wasn’t sorry if he offended her, even if that wasn’t his intent.

  “I think you can run it well. I think it looks like you’re doing a great job. But I’ve been doing this longer. I’ve got a lot of connections and a greater reach, you could say. I’m not sure if you know that we bring in live entertainment and that is my area of the business. That means I have my fingers in a lot of pies and am in contact with various agents and other businesses. Places that could use these types of products and services.”

  “Oh,” she said. He didn’t want to think of it as dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit, but if it got her to spend some more time with him, he’d go plant a garden right now.

  “Think about it,” he said, not wanting to push right now either. “You’ve got my information, but I’ll be talking to you soon, I’m sure.”

  “I will. Thanks.”

  He picked the box up and walked back out to his car, almost salivating right now in thoughts of how he was going to present this on Wednesday to his family.

  Safe for the Moment

  “You’re on time for a meeting,” Ella said to him when he walked into her office Wednesday morning.

  “I’m early,” he said, his voice happier than it normally would be when he got up as early as he had. He looked at her clock on the wall and saw there were ten minutes before the meeting would start. Not only that, Brody, Aiden, and Mason weren’t even here yet and they were always early.

  “So I see. What do we owe this occasion to?”

  He lifted the box that was in his hand higher. “I come bearing gifts.”

  “What’s in there?” she asked, walking forward, angling her chin and almost trying to get up on her tiptoes, even in her heels, as he lifted the box a little higher.

  He turned his hips quickly, then stepped back. “You need to wait. Just like Christmastime. Every time you see a box of something you’ve got to get your sneaky little hands on it and try to peek.”

  “That was your idea,” she said.

  “Just the first time. Then you realized how easy it was and how much fun it was to try to pull one over on Mom so you did it every year.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Get out of here before I remind you of all the things you’ve done and haven’t gotten caught at.”

  He laughed. “You’ll never tell on me because you love me too much.”

  “Keep telling yourself that,” she said, but she was smirking like their mother always did so he knew he was safe for the moment.

  Ella and he had gotten close in college. Or closer. She didn’t want anyone watching out for her and was ticked off when he said he was going wherever she did. His brothers and parents backed him and she was out of luck. She’d always been outnumbered and even if he felt sorry for her—since he’d felt outnumbered at times too—he wouldn’t give in back then.

  When it came down to it, she ended up watching out for him though, so he kind of owed her.

  He made his way to the conference room and was just pulling out his folder with copies of proposals for everyone to see when Brody walked in with Aiden. “Color me amazed,” Brody said. “You’re here on time.”

  “He’s early,” Aiden said. “Not on time. What, did some woman kick you out early so you couldn’t sleep in like normal?”

  “No,” Cade said. “No woman and I don’t sleep in.”

  Brody snorted. “I’ve called you some mornings after I’ve closed the bar at two and you’re still in bed sleeping at noon. Don’t give me that.”

  “That’s because I’ve worked later than two those times.”

  “Bar hopping?” Brody asked.

  Here we go again, Cade thought. No one ever gave him the benefit of the doubt that he was working and not partying. He should be used to it, but he was just sick of it.

  “You guys never give me credit for the work that I do. I’ve got to listen to the bands before I book them. I’ve got to see the type of crowds they draw. I’ve got to see how they act before I even consider contacting their agent or getting them booked here. We’ve got a reputation to uphold and I’m responsible for who comes in on that end.”

  “I guess. Or that’s your excuse to pick some chick up and you’re sticking with it.”

  He shook his head; no use getting into it with them. They always ganged up on him.

  Mason turned the corner to walk into the conference room. “Crap, I’m late. I’m never late. I must be late if Cade is here.”

  “Very funny,” Cade said to Mason. “I’m early.”

  “It’s not a woman,” Ai
den said. “Brody already asked.”

  “Were you puking then?” Mason asked. “Jessica was this morning and all I can say is it’s like living at home again and listening to you puke every time you climbed into, or out of, a moving vehicle.”

  “I don’t puke anymore,” Cade argued. “Or not as often.” He had no choice but to add that when his three brothers all lifted their eyebrows at him at once. Yep, ganged up on.

  “That’s because you’re medicated now,” Ella said walking into the room.

  She always seemed to hear every conversation even when she wasn’t around. It annoyed them forever.

  “Now that Ella is here, we should start,” Cade said. “Imagine that, Ella. I just took the words out of your mouth and used you instead. Damn, that felt good.”

  She shook her head and took a seat. “We’ll let you have your moment today, Cade. But don’t get used it. Or better yet, we won’t get used to it.” She looked around the room. “In case you guys haven’t figured it out, Cade is excited over something. That is the only other reason he is ever on time.”

  “I’m guessing it’s what’s in the box he’s got on the table. The one he is protecting like it’s the last box of Dramamine on the face of this earth,” Brody said.

  “That doesn’t work for him,” Mason said. “He needs the strong stuff. That’s why he’s got his doctor’s office on speed dial.”

  “Are you all done busting my ass this morning?” Cade asked.

  He knew he had it coming. He’d played enough pranks on everyone in this room. Some worse than others. If not that, then he ran his mouth more than he should and half the time his siblings gave him a pass when others wouldn’t.

  “I guess,” Aiden said. “I’ve got work to do anyway, so I’d like to get things started.”

  “Fine,” Cade said. “I want to go first.” He opened up the box and started to put some of the samples that Alex had given him on the table without saying a word. When Mason went to grab the beer glass, he swatted his hand away. “Wait until I’m done with everything. So impatient, just like Ella at times.”

  They all sat there with their lips tight while he took his time placing everything in the order he wanted it. “Now that I’ve got your attention. I met with a new printing company on Monday.”

  “That Mom asked you to,” Ella jumped in to add. He should have figured she’d get a dig in, and of course he knew he had it coming.

  “Fine. A place that Mom asked me to check out. Not sure if you guys remember Marshall Printing, but they’ve turned their business around from when Dad used them years ago. Their daughter, Alex, is running the joint now and this is what she presented me with.”

  “Can we touch now?” Brody asked. “Or are you going to snap at one of us again? It’s been a while since I’ve decked you. I wouldn’t mind having an excuse again.”

  “Screw that,” Aiden said. “I want to see Mason deck him.”

  Mason turned his head and shot a few daggers at Aiden. Mason never got mad. They didn’t know he had it in him. They didn’t know he could fight like he did either until they all saw him take down a robber on video months ago. Now they all knew and Cade was watching what he said to Mason more than ever.

  It used to be Brody that threw the punches. But several months ago, Aiden rammed Cade into a wall when he accidentally insulted Nic. Ella always had fast hands to punch or swat him, but Mason kept to himself except for the one time he had Cade up by the shirt collar for slipping and making a joke about Jessica. Now he was thinking Mason might be the most lethal if it ever came down to it.

  “Just ignore them,” Ella said, “and continue on.”

  Everyone stopped talking because Ella told them to and when Ella said something they all listened, just like when their mother told them to.

  “Yes, you can pick up what you want as long as you continue to listen to what I’ve got to say.” Hands were reaching like castaways on a deserted island with a plate of fried chicken placed in front of them. “It’s the old logo. They had that from when Dad used them.”

  “The red is right,” Brody said, looking at the T-shirt with the bar embroidered on it.

  “It is. That’s a plus. And the fact they have such a large range of items is a huge bonus,” Cade said.

  “I like the throwback logo,” Ella said with her hands on the same coffee cup he’d admired. “What is everyone’s thought on having a few items with it? Maybe let Mom and Dad decide. They might like that and feel a part of the decision making process.”

  Cade ground his teeth. “That was my idea, but since you said it too, I’m assuming I’ve got your vote.”

  “You’ve got mine,” Aiden said.

  “Mine too,” both Mason and Brody said.

  “That was easy,” Cade said. “Okay. Moving on. Check out the T-shirts. What do you think of having them for each location rather than standard ones for staff?”

  “I like it,” Ella said. “But we currently have a lot of stock and the cost to replace them might not be worth it. At least not immediately.”

  “I thought of that too,” Cade said. “How about we just order some for the managers right now, get a feel for how it goes over and then replace the old ones as needed?”

  “Sounds good to me,” Mason said.

  “So what is all of this going to cost?” Ella asked. “And is it wise to put all our eggs in one basket?”

  Cade pulled out a bunch of sheets of paper and slid them across for everyone. “Here are the numbers for that, but I’m sure Ella is going to run more for us. And I’ve thought about the pros and cons of having one vendor. That is also on the list.”

  Twenty minutes later, Cade was done talking and just sitting there while his brothers had their turn around the room and then left, leaving Ella standing there stealing the coffee cup before he could claim it himself. Little stinker.

  “So what did you think of Alex?” Ella asked him.

  “Why?” he asked.

  “Just wondering. It seems to me you’re extremely interested in working with her.”

  He wasn’t sure he liked the look that Ella was sending him, but decided to let it go for now.

  “She’s nice. A hard worker. She’s turning her parents’ business around. I’d like to work with her. If things go well, I think she could benefit from Fierce and my contacts.”

  “So you’re looking to recommend her already?” Ella asked.

  “If it works out I will. Why all the questions?”

  “No reason,” she said. But Ella always had a reason for everything.

  The Win

  “Really!” Alex shouted, then looked out over the floor to see a few eyes on her.

  It just wasn’t her day. No matter what she did, something was sticking in her embroidery machine and now she was behind schedule. All she needed was this to break down and either put her behind or make her shell out more money she didn’t have. She went in and cleaned the needle out again, then set it to test on a cheap sheet before she loaded the blankets in. “Please let this work. I can’t afford to have this machine down right now.”

  “Are you talking to yourself again?”

  Alex turned to see Ralph standing there. He’d been employed by her parents and now worked for her. The only one to really stick it out over the years. She’d thought for sure he’d balk at the new technology she brought in, but he embraced it and was now her floor manager, keeping everything and everyone on schedule, herself included. She’d be lost without him and his support, especially when so many bailed when she explained the changes she was making.

  “This stupid machine isn’t playing nice today. I’ve cleaned the needle three times.”

  “That order is going to be picked up first thing in the morning,” he reminded her.

  “I know, I know. I shouldn’t have taken it knowing I’ve got so many things to do at once, but I couldn’t pass it up.”

  She couldn’t afford to turn any order down no matter how small or short notice it was. Scraping the
bottom of the barrel of the company funds was not a good feeling at all, making her realize how much pressure her parents had to have felt years ago.

  Things weren’t quite as bad now as they were when she took it over, but it was a desperation she didn’t want to ever feel again and one little slip-up or botched order could set her back. Even a machine breaking down adding repair costs.

  “As you shouldn’t have,” he said. “The Deckers carry some clout around here. Fifty announcement blankets for their newborn is a quick and easy job. Take those and run, then hope they spread the word where they got it so all their rich friends do the same when their time comes.”

  “If they didn’t already have the blankets themselves from a place they’d ordered online, I would have been screwed. But I can’t mess this up either. I don’t have any to spare. I’m going to give them a few magnets too, what do you think?”

  “I think it’s good practice to give them more than they asked for. Magnets or stickers.”

  “I thought about stickers. I’ve got to start getting the word out on the vinyl too.”

  “You’re doing a good job. You’ve taken on a lot,” Ralph said, “but you’ve got to learn to balance it before you get in over your head.”

  She was feeling a panic she hadn’t felt in years. Not since the business was handed over to her because her mother couldn’t do it anymore. It was take it and try to turn it around, or close the doors. Everything had been falling apart around her back then and emotionally she was just worn out. How she got through the past few years was beyond her, but she was finally able to not only be in the black but add staff, new products, and services. She’d take the win for now and focus on what Ralph was saying another day.

  Ralph reached his hand out and patted hers awkwardly. She wanted to laugh but didn’t. He was trying to be helpful. “I’ll stay late and get them packaged up for you, no worries. Sorry to add anything else right now, but the toilet is leaking in the men’s room. I think I should be able to fix it, but wanted to give you a head’s up.”