To Love a Tyrant

CHAPTER TWO

Archer's POV

“.....and I heard that Edward, you know him, yes? Edward Carter?” The old bat paused for barely a second for my answering nod before carrying on with her tirade of nonsensical gossip while I ran a hand through my black hair to hide my exasperation.

The event was abuzz with the elitist snobs of Wall Street, dressed in their designer gowns and top quality suits, much like mine, mingling and prattling on about their various businesses. Doing little to hide their smugness as they bragged about their latest purchases and how they were unstoppable on the golf course. It was meant to be a charity event to raise money for whatever new sob story had caught the public's attention, but really, it was just a d**k measuring contest.

Sure, we'd all be sure to right fat checks for said cause, but none of us actually gave a f**k about the poor, miserable lives of this new charity case. I myself was no better than those I held in disdain, the proof being that I couldn't even bother to remember the name of said charity. It didn't matter though, that wasn't why I found myself trapped in the sea of pretentious sobs that thought they farted rainbows.

No, I was here for one reason alone, and that reason had been surrounded by a mix of brown nosers and social climbers all night. All hoping to get a moment of his time to no doubt pitch some business venture they were ‘positive was just right for him’ or invite him for a game of golf or fishing on their yacht. Everyone here all wanted something from him, and I, myself, was no different.

“Archer, are you listening to me?” Mrs. Benoit's obnoxious voice distracted me for a moment from the hawk eyed stare I'd pinned on my object of interest. “I've been talking to you for the past ten minutes and you haven't uttered a word.”

‘Perhaps if you'd shut up for longer than a second, then I'd respond to your mindless chatter.’ Is what I'd have loved to say but couldn't. Not to Mrs. Benoit at least. Insufferable as she was, she was still a member of the board and had enough shares to cause an issue for me if she found me lacking in the company's management.

It didn't matter that I was the CEO, or that the company itself was established and grown to what it was now by my family. If anything, I'm sure that the company being named Rhodes was more of a reason for the board to try to kick me out. Miserable old assholes that they are.

But I was Archer Rhodes, and nobody could take my f*****g birthright from me. Not after how hard I'd worked for that company before and after my father's death. “My apologies Mrs. Benoit, my mind got away from me for a moment.”She got a sour look on her face, no doubt from my lack of attention, before she got this glint in her mud brown eyes.

“Of course dear, you're young, I'm sure the coy smiles and looks of the women just desperate for your….attention would have you distracted.” Translation, ‘You're a no good man w***e who thinks of nothing but how to get his d**k wet.’ Pretty sure if I'd put the moves on her, she'd be one of said desperate women.

“Not at all Linda, none of them could ever keep my interest quite as much as you.” If the telling blush that bloomed on her botoxed wasn't proof that she was interested, then I don't know what would.

I glanced up just in time to see my target finally breaking away from the fray of his adoring fans and head for the bar. “Would you excuse me for a moment Linda, I'll be right back.” Not waiting for her response, I bolted to the bar to catch him before the crowd saw it fit to surround him again.

“Scotch on the rocks and whatever the gentleman’s having.” I said to the bartender. With a prompt ‘yes Mr. Rhodes’, he got to work on our drinks.

“Archer, I see you finally came to say hello.” Donald Boyle said turning to his left to come face to face with me, silvery eyes clashing with my cold, blue gaze. “With the way you've been staring at me all night, I wondered how long it'd take you to finally come talk to me.” The smug bastard is lucky I like him and need him currently.

“You know me Mr. Boyle, never one to follow a crowd.” Was the reply I gave which had him releasing a low chuckle. “So, what can I do for you Archer? I doubt you got me alone just to exchange pleasantries.” He said with a kind smile placed on his face, his crows feet and laugh lines more prominent on his aged but still attractive face.

He was a good-looking man for his age, standing just a couple inches below my 6 '1 height and decked out in a black suit with a white dress shirt underneath, a simple gold Cartier watch on his wrist and a shiny pair of dress shoes. The fact that we were similarly dressed was a non issue as most men here are, my black dress shirt and silver Rolex being the only differences between us.

“I'd rather we spoke somewhere less….lively.” I said, casting a glance to the people standing around, pretending to be absorbed in their various conversations while waiting to get a drop of information on our pending conversation.

He gestured to the secluded balcony and we left the bar, drinks in hand, and made our way there. The cool night air gave me a breath of fresh air after having had to endure meaningless interactions all night.

“Alright Archer, let's hear what you're on about.” That was all the prompting I needed, “The Strauss project. I want in.” Donald laughed at that. “You and every other independent contractor is this damn city.”

“True, but none of them are the perfect fit. They all lack what you need, but Rhodes has it.” I said confidently. “And what is it that I need exactly?” The playfulness in his tone irked me a bit, but I let it go. I instead started on my pitch that had been fine tuned to near perfection, highlighting the fact that Rhodes currently had the best technology on the market, no shortage of skilled and experienced workers and not to mention, impeccable leadership.

He let out a sigh after I was done and said, “It's not easy Archer. If it were up to me, I'd sign you on this instance, but the board of directors are quite skeptical of you.”

I had to rein in my temper to not sound like a defensive brat when I said, “If you don't mind my asking, what exactly is your board skeptical about? Have they not seen the profit margins of Rhodes since I'd become CEO?” It was a struggle to keep from speaking to him like the i***t he was currently acting like.

“It has nothing to do with Rhodes or your business skills, but more to do with you.”

“And what about me is so terrible that they refuse to work with me?” I asked sarcastically, already keen on what their issue with me was.

“Don't get smart with me Archer, I'm not the reason for your undesirable reputation.” He said, a frown finally fell upon his face after a whole night of fake smiles and pleasantries. “I mean really, just the womanizing alone is enough to have all major corporations distancing themselves from you, add in the scandals blasted everywhere on gossip magazines, the drugs and excessive partying and quite frankly, most of them think you're too young to be managing a company like Rhodes, as I'm sure your board does too.”

He's not wrong, I haven't exactly had the best reputation in the media, but still. “I have never let any of my engagements affect my work and you know this.”

“Yes, I know how hard you work, Archer, but it doesn't change the fact that your exploits bring bad publicity.” He pointed out. “Not to mention that half of the members of my board are conservatives and the other half are devout Christians.”

“Oh please, religion and personal beliefs should hold no sway in a business transaction. And those Christians and conservatives are the same men and women that have no trouble f*****g around on their spouses.”

“Yes, they are, but do you see their dirty laundry being aired out for the public to see and ridicule?” He had me there with that one. “It doesn't matter how hard you work, Archer,” He let out on a tired sigh. “A reputation like yours will always get in the way unless you fix it.”

“And how exactly am I supposed to fix it?” I was genuinely curious when I asked. I won't deny that I loved to party and enjoy the pleasures of life, but I needed money to do so. And if cutting back was what it took to keep my company and my money at the level I want, then so be it.

“You're almost thirty Archer, a man your age should be in a serious relationship by now and thinking about settling down, maybe popping out a kid or two, ensuring that your legacy continues.” He had to be f*****g joking.

“What does my marital status have to do with anything? And as for my legacy, my work at Rhodes is my f*****g legacy. I don't need to spawn a damn kid to ensure my legacy.” My hair was no doubt a mess now from how many times I'd run my hands through.

“Everything Archer, it doesn't matter what you've achieved if you don't have heirs to carry on your name and build on your hard work.” He said, sounding very much like my father used to. “Or would you rather that your family's company end up going to the board when you're gone?” He got me there. My father would roll in his grave if those vultures ever got control of our company. “Think on what I've said, it was nice seeing you again Archer.” He said, reaching up to pat me on the shoulder.

A quick call to my assistant, Edison, to announce my departure and I was hightailing it out of the place with him floundering to keep pace with me.