Nathan’s voice was relentless, his gaze uncompromising, as he finished, “This discussion is over.You either work for me—with me—or I will happily accept your resignation.I’ll see you get a decent severance package.”
The threatening tick in his jaw warned her not to push him.
Being fired from this job wouldn’t look good on her résumé.Even if she said she was terminated during the transition, she doubted Donovan would give her a good letter of recommendation.Her choice was no choice.She owed it to the employees, as well as the Newmans, to work with Donovan.
Her entire life, she’d stood up to powerful males…her father and grandfather who had rigid expectations about a woman’s role.After her mother’s death when she was thirteen, Kelsey had instinctively rebelled against what she saw as oppression.
Even though she’d cared for her younger sister while her father was at the office, Kelsey had diligently fought for scholarships and worked her way through college.
Ironically, Kelsey had chosen to work in a male-dominated industry.Still, nothing in her experience had prepared her to deal with a man like Nathan Donovan.
“I’m waiting.”
Pretending her heart wasn’t racing, she nodded.“Understood, Mr.Donovan.But I’m not apologizing for anything I’ve said.”
“Noted.”
She realized he hadn’t agreed with her, only that he’d heard what she said.
“So a truce?”he asked.
From her perspective, it was an uneasy one.After several more seconds, she managed to tear her gaze away from his.
Purposefully ignoring the Donovan Logistics logo that was bouncing across her screen, she moved her mouse to wake up the computer.
After entering her password, she opened a few documents, including an organizational chart.She printed it off and handed it to him.
He glanced at it, put it down then grabbed a pen.“Who needs to be at this morning’s meeting?”
She blocked out the image of him, the rakishly long hair and strong jawline that she would find appealing in any other man, and determinedly read off names.He put checkmarks next to them with precise, quick strokes.
“Give me the name of someone who’s a maven.”
She tipped her head to one side.“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Every company has someone.A person who seems to know everyone and their personal business.Always knows what’s going on.Keeper of information.”
“A gossip?”she asked.
He shrugged.“But one who people generally like.”
“Martha Leone.She’s the receptionist for the HR department.”Kelsey nodded, understanding where he was going.More and more, she recognized how astute he was.
He scanned the organizational chart.
“She’s not on there, but maybe she should be.Martha’s been with Mr.Newman since the beginning.In fact, she held this job before I did.When she was ready to retire, we created a position for her with less demanding hours.Martha’s the grandmotherly type, and she knows everyone’s secrets.”Including one or two of Kelsey’s own.“Martha gets invited to baby showers and weddings.”
“I’ll make sure I spend a few minutes with her.”
“We should also bring in a few people via video.I’ll arrange for it.What time?”
He looked at the watch that she was sure most of the people on the planet coveted.
“I’d like to stick with my original schedule.Eight o’clock?”
It would take a small miracle.Fortunately, having worked for Mr.Newman full-time for four years with a couple more summers where she interned, Kelsey specialized in miracles.“I’ll get out a group text and give the IT department a heads-up.”
He nodded brusquely before standing.“This isn’t the way I’d imagined this morning happening,” he said.
