CONTROL: part five: “The Art of War”

The editors sitting around the table stared at Asher Darcy in stunned silence.

"You can't possibly be serious," Lizzy said.

The truth was, she knew this was coming. In a precarious time for traditional media, no one bought a print magazine without wanting to make big changes. However, it didn't mean she was going to have an easy time accepting the reality that was just laid out in front of her.

Asher had an arm stretched out in front of him, fingers drumming lightly on the conference table. "Lily—"

"Lizzy!"

"Excuse me. Lizzy, despite your comically shocked expressions, I'm certain every single one of you were expecting this. Sooner or later, The Fold would have to join the twenty-first century."

"We have a website, Mr. Darcy. We publish some of the articles online."

He waved a hand dismissively. "I've seen the analytics reports. Not only are there too few new articles a week, but the site barely has an audience."

Jade spoke up before Lizzy could reply. "The Fold is a print-first publication, Asher," she explained patiently. "Hence the name."

"Yes, about that," Asher said. "I'm changing the name of the magazine. If we're to move forward—"

"Hey, what—" Lizzy started to say, but he raised a hand to stop her.

"... we can't be held back by sentimentality. Yes, I understand circulation is still quite strong, but I think we can do better. We need to immerse ourselves in new media and social media, and not just dip our toe in them."

It took all her self-control to keep from jumping over the conference table and wringing the arrogant bastard's neck. Silencing her as if she was some twelve-year-old daring to speak up at the adult table—

"Our articles are not exactly web-friendly," Garret Wilson said. "I'm not sure we'll be pulling in enough numbers to make offering them online worth it."

"You're absolutely right, Garret. We're going to have to come up with new style guidelines to address that."

Everyone groaned. The phrase "click bait" was muttered by more than a few around the table.

Asher regarded the editorial team with amusement, unperturbed by its collective response to his plans for the magazine. His editorial team, he reminded himself.

"Look, I admire this publication immensely," he said. "And I have tremendous respect for you and the staff, and everything you've accomplished." He paused, letting his words sink in. "I wouldn't have bought The Fold if I didn't. I'm confident that if we work together, we can make the magazine succeed even more."

"You mean you want it to make more money," Lizzy said. If there was anything he learned about the editor of the Film and TV section, was that she was nothing if not blunt. He met her stare with the smile. The woman would be attractive, he mused, if she didn't have that perpetual scowl on her face.

"Absolutely. Print is dead. We're going to have to adapt to people's changing reading habits if we're to thrive, not just survive." He leaned forward. "I want to make money, and you want to do your job. I think we can give each other what we want."

"Are you saying we're no longer publishing the magazine in print?" Jade said. He could see his lovely editor-in-chief try to mask the horror she felt. Perhaps he should have mentioned his plans to her before today. Gotten her on board before he dropped the bombshell. However, the element of surprise had always worked for him in the past. If someone was going to oppose you, it was better not to give them time to think of a plan to get in your way.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Although," he added loudly, ignoring the groans of protest around the room, "I'm open to compromise on that point."

"I see." Surprisingly, Jade remained calm and collected, unlike everyone else. Looking at her, he could almost see the gears turning in her head. She was appraising him, trying to figure him out. Strategizing her next move. He didn't mind. There were very few things he enjoyed more than being under the scrutiny of a beautiful woman.

She would need convincing, of course. But he was certain he was up to the task. In fact, he was looking forward to it.

He wondered what it would take to get her on his side. Or in his bed. Specifically, on top of him. Naked. He caught his breath the image filling his mind of her smiling down at him, her long glossy hair falling over her bare shoulders and breasts. He pictured her lips parting in ecstasy as he filled her with his —

"You and I can discuss this between ourselves," he said. She nodded, and he continued, "In the meantime, I trust the editorial board will be able to come up with a business plan. I'm prepared to invest whatever it takes."

"We'll need to hire more people for the web team," said Sandra. "Not just developers, but social media specialists. I only have two people currently maintaining the site."

"Whatever it takes, Sandra," he said. "Jade, I'd like a business plan by next week."

"Will do," Jade said. "However, about that other thing we discussed ..."

"Ah yes." His eyes brightened as he turned to face the others. "Being new to the publishing business, Jade and I have agreed that I will need to familiarize myself with the day-to-day operations of the magazine. She has very generously agreed to—"

"Let Lizzy show you the ropes," Jade said.

"What." Lizzy's voice was so low, it almost sounded like a growl. And not the kind he was used to coming from a woman. Not the deep, throaty sound women made when they begged him for ... well, anything. And they were usually naked, or getting ready to be.

Frankly, there was nothing about Lizzy Bennet that made him want to picture her naked.

"I need you to take Asher in hand, Lizzy. He wants to observe what we do and how we work," Jade explained.

"I'm busy. Sorry."

"He won't be in the way. He'll merely be observing, and asking the occasional question." Jade smiled at him. "I'd be happy to do it myself, but I have to give you a business plan within a week."

She was right, unfortunately. Asher could have given her a month to come up with that business plan, but he knew he had to get things rolling right away. "That's all right," he assured her. He turned to Lizzy, who looked like she'd just been ordered to eat a plateful of razors. "I'm all yours, Liddy."

***

"I know what you're about to ask me," Jade said, "and the answer is, no. I didn't know about his plans before he editorial meeting."

Lizzy's expression was grim as she shut the door of Jade's office. She had been so angry she almost stormed out of the conference room. She didn't even bother correcting him the third time he misspoke her name.

She sank down on the couch. Through the glass, she could see people staring. The editor-in-chief's door was almost never closed. "What are we going to do?" she said.

"There's very little we can do, Liz." Jade sat down behind her desk. "He owns the magazine, he can do whatever he wants."

"Oh come on. Darcy doesn't know the first thing about how the magazine industry works. We can run circles around him if we want to."

"Don't underestimate your enemy. I believe Sun Tzu said that. Besides, Asher seems quite determined. And he's a smart man. More important, he's done his homework. Although ..." She knitted her brows thoughtfully.

"What is it?"

"I don't think he's trying to lay down the law, just giving us an opening bid."

"What, like a negotiation?"

"Yes. He wants us to come up with a counter offer. We'll accede to some of his ideas, then see if he budges."

"I'm not butchering my copy just so some attention-deficient teenager will want to read my opinion on Jafar Panahi's new documentary, Jade."

"Well, you and I better come up with a good counter offer then." Jade grinned. "You know, things could be worse. Other newspapers have been bought by individuals who don't actually give a damn about anything other than profit."

Lizzy snorted. "You really believe that crap about respect for us and the magazine?"

"I do, yes. I see it in his eyes." Jade inclined her head. "Didn't you say I have a knack for reading people?"

"Then you would have noticed he was practically drooling over you. There was something in his eyes, all right, but I wouldn't exactly call it respect."

"Oh yes, that. I suppose his reputation is well-earned."

Of course it took more than a man's naked admiration to throw Jade off her game. When you get stared at every day of your life, you learn to deal with it.

"You could still be wrong about him, you know."

"There is that possibility, yes."

"I can't do it Jade. I love this magazine. I'm not sticking around and wait for Asher Darcy to ruin it."

"Lizzy—"

"I quit."