The Agency

By KR Bankston and T.P. Miller

Competition: It makes life interesting. It forces one to go the extra mile to come out on top. Jordan Young makes a lifestyle of competition, consistently staying at the top of pack at Dimensions ENT, in the rapid fire world of commercial advertising. Jordan is also a player’s player when it comes to the women on the revolving door of his love life. That is, until he has a chance encounter with Chelsea. But Jordan has made enemies. Wyatt Thompson, CEO, WyKnot Incorporated, has a vendetta with Jordan’s name on it. He’s just been handed the smoking gun, his finger on trigger, and aim firmly on taking his arch nemesis down in a whirlwind of shame, disgrace, and dismissal.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kirabaco Publishing
• Release date: Jul 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781501447273

KR Bankston

KR Bankston is originally from Tallahassee, FL and has been writing for before finally venturing into a full-length novel and the commercial publishing realm at the urging of her husband. KR currently has 22 books in publication, with more soon to come. KR is the Owner/CEO of Kirabaco Publishing. When not writing, KR Bankston is an avid Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons football fan, and Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, basketball fan. KR is currently in the process of writing a new novel and introducing another new series.

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T.P. Miller has been writing for as long as she could remember. An avid reader, she decided that she would start picking up her pen as a hobby and soon penned get first novel, Out for Blood: The Chosen One Has Come and was signed with Anexander Books. She is currently Co-CEO of Kemet Books and working on Moore paranormal drama. She lives on a hole somewhere in Birmingham with her husband and two kids.

CONTACT HER:

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/authoress.tp.miller

TWITTER: @vampyrequeen14

EMAIL: [e-mail]

WEBSITE: http://vampyrequeen14.wix.com/thechosenonesseries

FANPAGE: https://www.facebook.com/pages/TP-Miller-Vampyre-Queen/216330795084132

Other Books by this Author:

*Anna J's Erotic Snapshot Vol. 5 (anthology)

* Out For Blood

* A Woman Scorned

Also, check out these other offerings from the Author KR Bankston available at all fine online retailers: Amazon.com, BN.com, Smashwords.com, iTunes, Kobo, GooglePlay and more.

The Gianni Legacy:

A Deadly Encounter (eBook/paperback)

Sins of the Father (eBook/paperback)

Smoke & Mirrors (eBook/paperback)

Life After Death (eBook/paperback)

Thin Ice – The Serial

Thin Ice

Thin Ice 2- Hide & Seek

Thin Ice 3 – Armageddon

Thin Ice 4- Resurrections

Thin Ice 5 – Checkmate

Thin Ice 6 – Hangman & Socrates

Thin Ice 7 – Echoes of Reckoning

Thin Ice 8 – Separazione Finale

Thin Ice 9 – Epiphany

Thin Ice 10 – Ambition

Thin Ice 11 – Homecoming

Thin Ice 12 – Siren Song

Other Books:

Three The Hard Way ( w/Author Elizabeth LaShaun)

Crossroads: An Anthology (w/Authors Keith Gaston, Keith K Williams, Elizabeth LaShaun)

Now You’re A Star (erotic)

The Master Orchestrator (romantic novella)

King of the Game (eBook)

Unraveled: A Short Story Collective (eBook)

X-Mafia:The Rise of Pirate & Creeper

Unholy Empire (pt1 & 2)

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About the Author:

KR Bankston is an escalating serial novelist, following in the famous footsteps of her literary idol, VC Andrews. She hails from Tallahassee, FL and now resides in Jonesboro, GA. Having written various works of fiction including short stories and reflective poetry for most of her adult life, Bankston entered the world of commercial publishing in 2008 with her first novel, A Deadly Encounter.

KR currently has 22 books in publication, with more soon to come. KR is the Owner/CEO of Kirabaco Publishing. When not writing, KR Bankston is an avid Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons football fan, and Miami Heat basketball fan. KR is currently in the process of writing a new novel and introducing another new series.

Contact the Author: 

Website  Twitter    Kirabaco Publishing  Facebook  YouTube

Cover Design info: [e-mail]

Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition

– in having put forth the best within you.

Henry J. Kaiser

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He had ten minutes. In those ten minutes, he needed to prepare himself for one of the biggest pitches that he would deliver. Jordan Young made it happen at any cost. He didn’t get to the fortieth floor office for nothing. In his three years with Dimensions ENT Advertising Group, he quickly climbed the ladder and gladly kicked off anyone that was weaker. He would make it to the top and he knew that this one account would take him there.

Jordan glanced over the notes that he made on the post-it notes and stopped halfway. He was set to pitch his idea to some of the highest paid execs of the biggest shows on television and before he finished his idea and closed down his projector, the ink would be drying on the contracts. He smiled and closed the folder. He almost hated to brag. He was the best. He could talk a snowman into a tan and make it sound like the best idea. He got his silver tongue from his father; probably one of the only good things that he got.

Jessie Young was one of the major hustlers from the streets; controlling and regulating everything from the pimps and hos, to the drugs that came on his territory. When Jordan was old enough to hold his own, Jessie made sure that his son knew everything that he needed to take on the family business. Jordan started from the bottom and worked his way up, slanging and pushing until one day he saw his father gunned down and slain in the very streets that he ran. There was no one left but his mother, Lena and sister, Jessyka.

He always saw the strain that his father brought onto the family; the dealing, the late nights with who knows, and the constant arguing with his mother. Jessie would argue that he was providing for the family the best he knew how. It was something that he knew that his mother couldn’t argue because the kids had food on the table, clothes on their backs, and just about anything that they wanted. She couldn’t deny that he was providing; just that she hated the means he used.

The night that his father ended up dead, Jordan knew that he couldn’t follow in his footsteps. He dropped the game, ended up at Stillman College, and got his degree in English. It was just chance that he stumbled upon an internship at a company, Dimensions ENT, that was looking for a motivated person with sales experience for the one spot left open. He knocked out all of the competition and from where he sat there was a lot more room to move.

Jordan stood up and grabbed the charcoal gray  suit jacket that draped over the back of his leather desk chair. He slipped it over his shoulders and grinned as the tailor made jacket fell directly into place over his biceps. He kept his body fit by going to the gym at least three times a week. Appearances meant everything and as he looked at his reflection in the full-length mirror, he rubbed the neatly trimmed goatee and smoothed his hand over the deep waves of his Caesar cut. The women flocked to him and he gladly accepted each one of them. With skin the color of roasted almonds, dark brown eyes, and a body like a pro athlete, he heard on more than one occasion what celeb he resembled but he knew better, because he looked superior.

Jordan chuckled to himself as he buttoned the top button of his suit jacket and walked over to his desk. He carefully put the portfolio in his briefcase and walked out of his office and down the hallway to the boardroom. He felt good and by the end of his presentation, he would feel one hundred times better.

***

Jordan walked into the conference room where the four executives from the show, Paranormal, waited. He shut the door and pulled the blinds on the all glass walls that separated the busy little bees in the office from the room full of potential clients. Jordan wasted no time. He knew they were busy and if he didn’t charm them right off the bat he would lose them to another company. He wasn’t having that. There was only one other company that could sway these men the way he could, and the man behind them was the last he needed to make the big deal.

Jordan took time to watch a couple of episodes from the latest season of the show to get an idea of what Dimensions ENT could do for them. He didn’t expect to watch the whole season. He liked it and the content was good, but viewership was starting to slack. That’s why they were here.  Jordan stood at the dead of the table and placed his briefcase in front of him. He opened his suit jacket to reveal his lavender silk shirt.

Gentlemen, good morning. I’m glad that you all made it safely from California. Let me be the first to say congratulations on being renewed for a thirteenth season.

Murmured thank-you’s greeted him as he pulled the swivel chair out and took a seat.

Now, let’s just get right down to business, huh?

He flashed a reassuring smile around the room and pulled out the portfolio from his briefcase.

Paranormal has been on air for years now. We’ve kept steady viewers and now we’ve become stagnant. What can you and the Dimensions team do for us, a ruddy faced, heavyset studio executive opened up the questions.

Well, sir, Jordan stood and walked over to the projector that was set up for him.

He turned it on and connected it to the laptop computer on the shelf behind the projector screen.

I have a few ideas that I think will capture more viewers for your show. I mean, the problem isn’t the viewers you already have. You want more. I can tell you with the ideas that I have, you can bet that you’ll be renewing for two more seasons.

Jordan flipped open the portfolio, pointing out details that went along with his PowerPoint presentation. The executives were following along. He could see them passing around approving glances, and he continued. He turned the page and saw the most important page of his presentation was missing. He spent all night perfecting this portfolio and here was a missing page. Seconds passed and he could tell that the Paranormal executives were wondering what he was leading to. Just as quickly, he pulled a solution out of his ass. The next few weeks while the cast filmed on set in California, they would pick one viewer who correctly answered a fan question about the previous episode and record a personal message that would air at the end of the episode next week. Viewers would have to tune in, watch, and participate. A win-win for everyone involved.

The executives seemed to buy into the idea. He finished the presentation without the execs noticing anything was wrong. He took his time walking around, shaking each of their hands, and thanking them for coming out. He escorted them out of the boardroom and to the elevator where they disappeared behind the silver doors.

Jordan saw red as he walked back to his office and slammed the door. He could have completely fallen flat on his ass in the conference room.  If it wasn’t for his quick thinking he would be out of a job right now. The executives loved his ideas and signed the contract without another thought. He scanned over the project again, wondering where he went wrong and what happened to the missing page that held his real idea. He liked what he came up with in front of the clients but he hated to be unprepared. It was unprofessional. You came with your shit and you came right. Thinking back, the only time that this information even left his possession was when he sent his secretary to the printers to make copies for the clients. Somewhere between her desk and the printers, she lost the page that could have cost him his career. He angrily punched in her extension and waited for her to answer.

Yes, Mr. Young? His assistant tried to sound professional but failed as she cooed into the phone.

They shared a past and since he cut her off, she was trying everything to get back into his bed.

Can you come into my office?

Jordan hung up before she could answer and reared back in his desk chair as he waited for the door to open. Almost as soon as he hung up the phone, Crystal, his secretary since he started, walked into his door. She was a five seven beauty with a drop-dead body. She never approached his desk; only stood at the door with her manicured hands folded in front of her.

Is there something that I can help you with, Mr. Young, Crystal asked as she saw the irritated look on his face.

As a matter of fact, there is. Jordan leaned forward and placed his folded hands on the desk.

You do realize that today I had a very important meeting with some very important people?

Yes. I do. I hope that everything went well, Crystal gave a little smile hoping that he was going to thank her for her work in making the deal.

I closed the deal if that’s what you’re asking. My concern is, while I’m in the middle of this very important presentation, I find one of the most important key points missing from it, his eyes seemed to burn a hole into her. Care to explain?

I’m sorry. Everything was there when I took it to the printers. I looked it over myself.

Well, apparently you didn’t look it over hard enough. My ass was on the line and you almost made me out to be a fool. I said guard it with your life. To make sure that it got back here the same way that it left here and you didn’t make that happen.

I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.

You’re damn right it won’t happen again. This isn’t your first incident where something like this happened. You’ve been slacking for quite a while now. What am I supposed to do with that, Jordan sat back in his chair and brought his hands up into a tent in front of him.

I swear I’ll be more careful in the future.

Crystal could feel her heart start to pound while she tried to keep her tears from falling. This was the last thing that she needed. She portrayed the life with her friends that she wanted, but in reality she was way behind on all her bills and losing her job now would land her right on the street.

I’m not taking that chance. You cost me time and most importantly, you almost cost this company a lot of money, he pulled himself back to his desk and pulled out his next project folder. I’m going to need you to get your things and be out of your desk before noon. You’re fired.

Crystal stood stationary as she looked at him continue to work as if he never said a word. She could see the course of action happening in front of her eyes like pictures in a photo album. The lost job, being kicked out on the street and she didn’t have a place to go. Her options were few, but if push came to shove, she could probably room with one of her girls after she concocted some bullshit excuse for why she got kicked out. She was planning when her thoughts were interrupted by his voice.

Now, Crystal. You have an hour.

She nodded and wiped her eyes while she whispered a sorry in his direction. She turned on her heels and walked out of the office, quietly closing the door behind her.

He dropped his pen as the door closed. He hated to be so hard on her. Truth be told, she was a hard worker. She completed her work but constantly seemed to miss something. This wasn’t the first time that he was forced to work on a whim. Today was the last straw. He needed someone that was going to be dependable and not leave him working any harder than he already was. Jordan picked up the phone and dialed the extension to the main receptionist of Dimensions ENT.

Ms. Wallace, this is Jordan Young. I’m going to need you to set up a few interviews for me. I just let go of my secretary and I’m going to need a new one as soon as possible.

Ms. Wallace was an older woman that he looked at like his grandmother. She was quiet and always greeted visitors with a smile. She was efficient and he knew that if she was asked to do something it would be done right.

That’s not a problem. I can set up some interviews for you tomorrow. Is that okay? The older woman asked, her voice with her normal cheer.

That perfect, Ms. Wallace. Please call and tell me the interview times so that I can fit them into my schedule.

Absolutely. I’ll have them before you leave for the day.

Thank you, Ms. Wallace. You’re a life saver. He smiled.

You’re welcome. Ms. Wallace said before laughing and disconnecting the call.

He started working on his new assignment of working on a movie ad that needed to be ready before next week. There was no doubt that by the end of the day tomorrow he would have the perfect person for the job.

2

Wyatt glanced up as Deion entered his office, throwing the man a quick nod acknowledging his presence as he finished up the phone call.

Yes, I think you’ll find our new ideas for the campaign captivating, Wyatt spoke eloquently. Certainly, absolutely, he continued as Deion patiently waited, mint green manila folder resting on his lap.

Good, then we’ll see you and your associates at ten a.m., Wyatt finished up with a smile as he disconnected.

Dale Henning, Deion questioned as Wyatt nodded.

Yeah, they are coming in tomorrow to see what we’ve come up with, he told his best friend and Vice President.

Wyatt Russell Thompson was founder and CEO of WyKnot Incorporated; one of three large, competitive, and highly successful, advertising agencies in the region. The company derived its name from his own first name and his mother’s maiden name. Wyatt deeply respected Annalize Knots-Thompson. He wished he could same the say of his father, but Robert Thompson was nothing more than a few scattered memories to him. While his father and his mother were still married, childhood was anything but loving and nurturing. Robert was a man who believed in hard work, education, and a clear purpose in life. Things he went out of his way to instill in his children at a young age.

Wyatt, while not close to his father, did thank him for that direction. It was the driving force and catalyst that got him through elementary, middle, and high school; as well as a vigorous double major in marketing and business in college. As a graduation gift, his parents gave him and his sister each twenty-thousand dollars to start their businesses. That was six years ago. Today both he and Chelsea, his sister, were doing very well.

So what did you come to see me about, Wyatt questioned finally addressing Deion.

His friend smiled slyly and Wyatt knew it was something good.

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