Stuffed animals from one of our investment companies, coloring sheets, and flowers adorned the conference room.

Dad squeezed me close. “This is my daughter, Alina! She helps me run the company!”

If only he’d let me lead it one day.

“Wooow.” A starry-eyed five year old rolled her half-chewed peanut butter and jelly sandwich around in her mouth. “She’s really pretty.”

“Thanks,” I said with a weak laugh, then pulled my father aside. “Okay, I have a lot of work to get back to...”

“Can’t you take a break for a little longer? The girls love you—and you work too much!”

“Where do you think I got it from?” I joked. “Listen, I judged the pitch contest and I helped pass out juice boxes and crayons to re-introduce myself to everyone. I am not going to babysit instead of taking care of business.”

“This isn’t babysitting! We’re inspiring the next generation of businesswomen!”

“If they want to be inspired, they can watch the WorldCon live feed.”

Todd waltzed into the conference room, slowing to observe all of our guests. “Great party! Roy, can I get you to sign this for me?” He held out some papers and a pen.

“Alina, I think you’d really enjoy the movie we’re showing,” Dad said and scribbled his signature.

I stiffened. “Aren’t you even going to look before signing?”

Todd showed me the packet. “It’s the deal Roy and I were emailing about yesterday.”

Still, it didn’t sit right with me that my dad trusted him so easily—the same way I had before he stabbed me in the back by selling off the company.

Cora wheeled in a popcorn machine. “Does anyone need a snack for the sing-along movie?”

The girls raised their hands and clamored for a snack pack, a few of them running straight for the cart, others asking their fathers if it was okay.

“Why don’t you go up there? You deserve a treat!” Dad insisted. “As do all little girls.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m old enough to be most of these girls’ mothers!”

“Exactly! When are you going to settle down and give me some wonderful grandbabies?”

I was a little busy trying to save the company!

“Actually”—Todd glanced at Roy—“I could really use Alina’s help with the WorldCon presentation. Do you mind if I steal her away for a bit?”

“By all means!” Dad backed up and waved us on.

“Thank you for saving me,” I whispered, snagging some popcorn on my way out.

“Any time.” Todd stole a kernel. “Did you and Roy have fun today?”

“Yeah, no matter what we’re doing, the extra time with him is really a gift.”

Todd tilted his head as we turned towards his office. “What do you mean by ‘extra’?”

My mouth ran dry, salty butter fading around a cardboard texture at the reminder that my father would pass within three years. “I haven’t lived under the same roof as him since college, but we spend so much time in the office that we still manage to see each other regularly.”

“Gotcha. It’s good you get along so well. My dad and I wouldn’t have lasted in the same office. We could barely stand being in the same house!” He laughed as if it was supposed to be funny, but it was honestly kind of sad. Maybe being disowned had skewed his perception of family loyalty. 

“At least Roy is giving you shares,” Todd went on. “He’s a generous guy. Smart, but generous. A family trait.” He winked.

“Stop.” I chuckled and nudged him with my elbow. “No matter how much you flatter me, I’m not writing the speech. At least, not unless I get to give it.”

“We could do it together! Consider us the WorldCon Council. Or better, my partner.” He turned, eyes gleaming. “What do you think?”

“Maybe. Let’s see.”

We worked through a few larger points of the presentation, but since I’d seen it all before, it was pretty easy to recreate. Todd approved my work and even asked me about a few tweaks. Maybe he was starting to respect me.

He kicked back in his chair. “I’m telling you, we’re a dream team!”

“I can’t wait for WorldCon. It’s going to be amazing.” I ran my hands over my planner. “The networking, the shows… this event is going to change everything.”

“I believe it.” Todd rocked in his chair, surprisingly relaxed. His pale eyes flicked across my crossed legs. “Is there anything in particular you’re wanting to see?”

“Fountain shows? Clubs? I’m usually too tired to go out after spending all day on my feet.” I edged my stocking-clad foot out of my work heels in a painful reminder of the blisters I’d gotten at my first WorldCon. Normally, Todd had me helping him backstage with rehearsal. Afterwards, we’d mingle and go out to eat or I’d be his good luck charm when gambling. Until he lost. Then, I’d get sent away for ruining his streak.

At least with my future knowledge, the company wouldn’t be losing any money.

Todd sat up. “Will you save enough energy for one drink after our WorldCon speech?”

My mind lit up with dozens of fantastic bars and hotel lobbies. “Sure! The whole team always does a toast at some point. So what else do we need to get ready?”

“Not much! I just need to run this folder by Roy’s office—”

“I’ll take it. I have to drop off the pitch results from Daddy-Daughter day, anyway.” I smiled. “Plus, I owe you for saving me.”

He laughed and got back to work, while I got back to mine. It was refreshing to have a normal, adult conversation today.

Down the hall, Cora adjusted one of her granddaughters on her knee and buzzed me into my dad’s office. The “unread” pile on his desk was getting out of hand. As I tidied up the stack, a legal document caught my eye.

I pulled the packet and scanned it for the basics. If my name was on it, it couldn’t really be considered snooping.

“I, Roy Martin, hereby declare that my shares will only be distributed to my daughter in the case of my death or if she enters into a marriage contract… In the case of her marriage, I will retain 35% of my company shares, 33% will be distributed to Alina, and her partner will receive 32%. Upon my death, my shares should be distributed evenly between Alina and her partner to form a Martin family council and partnership.”

What?! I wasn’t going to get my shares unless he died or I got married?

Wait… partner… council… I did some quick math. Had my dad and Todd been planning this behind my back all along? Todd and I weren’t even dating! I thought I had time...

It took all my strength not to shred the pages

I would not be blindsided by Todd again. No matter how much my dad tried to guilt me into bringing Todd in as the son(-in-law) he always wished he had.

If they were that insistent on me needing a man to help me run the company, I’d find a better partner than he ever was—someone who’d let me lead, for once!

I needed someone… convenient!