Chapter 2
Connor hadn’t thought he’d be able to sleep late, but he didn’t expect to receive such an early morning call from Bennett Stone. It meant something had gone wrong while he and Shaun were in New York.
“I have a question. Were you late to pick up Shaun because of your meeting with Ethan?” Bennett asked.
Connor had no idea how Bennett had learned about the meeting, but then again Bennett kept a close eye on everything to do with the Hendersons. Connor had hoped that hadn’t included keeping an eye on him. No such luck.
“I did see my brother-in-law. He was in New York handling something in hopes of surprising my sister. I was giving him the advice that sometimes surprises don’t go over as well as you hope. But I’m sure you already know that the Lawson men don’t listen to anyone.”
“Is that all that Ethan wanted to talk about?” Bennett asked.
It was an odd question, and made Connor wonder how closely he was being watched. “We discussed a lot of things. It’s what families do. If it would make you feel better, we can invite you to join us next time.” He hoped Bennett would not take him up on that offer. Connor didn’t want to have too many secret meetings with Ethan, either.
“I’d rather not,” Bennett replied.
“That’s a shame. It would give us something to talk about besides my sister. Then again, I’m not sure what topic would be safe.” He hoped Bennett would fall for the bait. He wasn’t disappointed.
“I’m not sure I’m following,” Bennett stated.
It was exactly the opening that Connor was hoping for. Not that he thought Bennett would say anything against the Hendersons, since he married one of them, but at least he was putting it out there. Connor knew he would have better luck with Roger.
“I get a feeling that the Lawson and Henderson families aren’t as close as they pretend to be.” Connor waited, hoping to hear some explanation from Bennett.
“Not surprising. They are two very prominent families. A power struggle is to be expected,” Bennett replied.
“Is that all it is? A power struggle? I find that odd, since they’re not competitors.” Connor didn’t want Bennett to believe he was ignorant to the business relationship between the Henderson and Lawson family. “When I mentioned I was in New York with Shaun, I could tell by Ethan’s expression that he wasn’t pleased to hear it.”
“None of that is your concern. You just concentrate on what you were hired to do. And that is to ensure the satellite office in New York is in a secure place for our staff.”
As Connor expected, the questioning was shut down. Not much different than when he asked Ethan. Why was it no one wanted to talk about whatever issues there were between the two families? From what he knew they had never done business together until Gareth had started his construction business in Tabiq.
“Things are running smoothly in New York. Shaun seemed pleased with how things went at the meeting.” Not that Connor had the details, but Shaun had provided him some information. It seemed as though they were looking at acquiring some property in the city.
“He called me last night. I guess the lead Asher Barrington gave him actually might meet their needs.”
The Barringtons were just another powerhouse family in the mix. Connor didn’t know much about them except that they were friends of the Hendersons, and not of the Lawsons. But they were more than just friends; Brice and Asher were in business together and from what he’d learned, they had been for years. Were the Barringtons the next family Ethan would warn Connor about? It was possible. Their reputation was right up there with the others. With money came power, and with power, there was the endless battle to stay at the top. You couldn’t do that by playing nice all the time. How ugly things got - that was something he had yet to learn.
“Are the Hendersons thinking about doing business with the Barringtons? I mean, more than what Brice and Asher do now?” Connor asked.
“Not that I’m aware of. Then again, I don’t follow how they spend their money,” Bennett responded.
“I know, you’re just protecting their…assets.”
“No. I watch those who are. I have my own business to run,” Bennett stated.
How did that slip by? Most likely because when Connor was hired, it wasn’t important. He was there to do a job, and that was all. Since his talk with Ethan, he wasn’t so sure if his job also included protecting Kollette. She would argue with him that she didn’t need any protection, and for the most part, that was true. Kollette knew how to handle herself when it came to business. But if there was something that would affect her personally, she might not see it coming. And this is what she needs me for.
“I forget that the Henderson Corporation is only one piece.” This was a fib, but he wanted Bennett to tell him more.
“It’s what links them all together. But you’re right, they each stand alone for the most part when it comes to business.”
“And they don’t find it difficult competing against each other?” he asked.
“They are not rivals. If anything, I believe it makes them stronger. Each their own person, yet very tight as a family, if you know what I mean,” Bennett said.
“I’ll take your word for it. All I know is Shaun was looking forward to getting back home to his family.”
“No matter what, nothing comes between them and their family,” Bennett said.