I ask, "What's going on, Connie?"
She clears her throat. "The CEOs from Windemere are here in the conference room."
"Is the paperwork in order?" I question.
"Yes. I sent it to you last night."
"I reviewed it on the plane. Please tell them I'll be right in."
She gives me a tentative smile. "Okay, thank you." She leaves.
I watch her walk away, then turn back to Hugh.
He finishes his drink, then states, "Let's go."
I step between him and the door. "No."
"What do you mean no?"
I declare, "You're in no state to go into that conference room."
"This is my company," he claims.
I cross my arms. "It'syourcompany? The last time I checked, we were fifty-fifty partners."
"The last time I checked, I had the final say," he throws in my face.
"So what? Your personal life's blowing up, so you're going to blow up our company as well?" I accuse.
He scowls.
I add, "Do you think if you go in there drunk at ten in the morning, they'll sign the paperwork, trusting their life's work to us?"
Hugh squeezes his eyes shut, then rubs his forehead.
I soften my tone. "I know you're in the shitter here, but you need to be smart. You are not going into that conference room. Now, sober up." I shut the door and go into the meeting.
I shake hands with the CEOs. We get into all the details, and while they're signing the paperwork, I pull out my burner phone under the table. I send Hugh a photo of the back of Blakely in her wedding dress. It's one of my favorite pictures of her. She's turning her head and blowing me a kiss.
I also send a message with it.
Me: She's mine. Forever.
He replies with a slew of messages, but I don't look at them. I turn off my phone, slide it back into my pants pocket, and finish the meeting.
Once everything is secure, I see the clients to the elevator, then go to my office.
Hugh storms into the room, seething, "That bastard's at it again." He shows me the text messages and photo.
I pretend to look shocked. "She's married?"
"Motherfucker," he utters.
"You better figure out who that is."
"Like I don't know that. What do you think I've been trying to do?" he barks.
I sigh. "Hugh, you need to go home. You're not in any shape to stay at the office. The last thing we need is business going down or the staff scared."