"You're the new majority shareholder," Preston said, his voice quiet, meant only for me and Arthur. "The mystery man who bought up the debt."
"I am," I replied.
Preston turned to his heavy security guard. He didn't look panicked anymore. He looked like a cornered animal that had decided to bite.
"Arthur isn't going to fire me," Preston whispered, taking a step closer to me. "Because if he fires me, I'm going to tell the SEC exactly what he and I have been doing with the R&D budget for the last six months."
Arthur gasped, taking a step back as if he had been struck. "Preston, no..."
"Shut up, Arthur," Preston snapped, his voice venomous. He turned his attention back to me. "I don't care how much money you have, Vance. You just walked into my showroom, and you're threatening my operation. You're not firing anyone."
Preston looked at the two security guards.
"Escort Mr. Vance and his son to the private security office in the back," Preston ordered, his voice suddenly loud and authoritative again. "He's causing a disturbance. And bring Arthur. We need to have a private conversation about the future of this company."
The massive guard stepped forward, reaching out a thick hand toward my shoulder.
"Don't cause a scene in front of your kid, Vance," Preston whispered, his eyes entirely dead. "Walk."
CHAPTER 3
The heavy hand of the security guard clamped down on my shoulder. It was a firm, professional grip, designed to steer a person through a crowd without drawing unnecessary attention.
Every muscle in my body coiled, screaming at me to break the man's wrist and bury my elbow in his throat. I had spent years training in krav maga specifically to ensure I could protect my family, and the current geometry of the situation heavily favored violence.
But I looked down at Leo.
My son was already crying silently, his small face buried in the fabric of my trousers, his hands clutching my leg like a lifeline. If I started a physical brawl on the showroom floor, the crowd would panic. There would be shouting, shoving, perhaps a stampede. Leo could be knocked down. He could be hurt.
I couldn't risk it. Not when I had a much deadlier weapon waiting to be deployed.
I shrugged the guard’s hand off my shoulder with a sharp, violent twist of my torso, glaring at him until he took half a step back.
"Don't touch me," I said softly. "I'll walk."
Preston smiled, a tight, victorious expression that made my blood run hot. He gestured toward the rear of the showroom, directing us away from the glittering lights of the gala and toward the frosted glass doors that led to the executive suites.
I picked Leo up, lifting his fifty pounds easily, and settled him against my hip. He wrapped his arms around my neck, burying his face in my collar. I rubbed his back in slow, rhythmic circles, whispering promises that everything was going to be fine.
Arthur walked beside me, his head hung low, defeated. He looked like a man walking to the gallows.
We moved through the frosted doors, leaving the soft jazz and the murmuring crowd behind. The hallway was stark, lined with modern art and polished concrete floors. At the end of the corridor was the primary security and executive operations office.
Preston swiped a keycard, and the heavy oak door clicked open.
"Inside," Preston ordered.
I carried Leo into the room. It was a large, soundproofed office. A massive mahogany desk dominated the center, covered in blueprints, financial ledgers, and a sleek laptop. A wall of monitors displayed security feeds from every angle of the gala floor.
The two security guards followed us in, taking positions near the door, blocking the only exit. Arthur collapsed into a leather chair in the corner, putting his face in his trembling hands. Preston walked around the desk, leaning against the edge of it, crossing his arms.
"Put the kid down," Preston said.
"He stays with me," I replied, my voice completely devoid of emotion. I gently set Leo down on his feet but kept him tucked behind my legs, shielding him from the room.