“Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice,” Nicole began in a sweet voice. “I’d like to introduce you to Mick Remington, who is here at my grandfather’s request.”
Irritable whispers and shocked gasps rose among the others around the table. Mick put on his best smile and tried to meet each one eye-to-eye. Some of them refused to look his way.
“Mr. Remington and I have already talked,” she continued, “and we felt it necessary to call an emergency meeting with the shareholders. Mick’s father has already sunk his wealthy claws into two of our members, but we can’t let him do anymore. I believe if we all put our heads together, we’ll know how to stop the Remington empire from taking over Adkins Dev-Tech.”
The older gentleman with a full head of gray hair aimed his scowl at Mick. “If we are trying to stop the Remington empire from taking over, what ishedoing here?”
The others agreed verbally or by nodding. Nicole held up her hand.
“Joe, Mick does not work with his father any longer, and—”
“Miss Adkins?” Mick cut in. “Let me tell them.”
She closed her mouth and her shoulders stiffened. Apparently, she didn’t like being interrupted in front of other people. But Mick knew that if he stood up for himself, these shareholders might look at him differently.
“Ladies and gentlemen, let me assure you,” he began, looking at every person slowly, one at a time, “I have nothing to do with my father or his empire. I’ve not been connected to my father for a few years. I’ve come to realize how ruthless my father has been, and I vow I will never be like him.” His gaze stopped on Nicole. “Please, give me the chance to prove that to you. All I ask is that you give me the chance to show you what kind of man I really am.”
Nicole blinked and licked her lips. Her shoulders didn’t look as stiff as before.
He shifted his attention back to the others. “James Adkins was like a father to me when I was just a teenager still in school looking for a job. James took me under his wing and spent time teaching me how to work here at this company. I have a lot of respect for that man, and when I heard that my father wanted to buy out the company, my heart told me that I had to stop it from happening... that I needed to work with you all here in this office to make sure my father lost, and that Adkins Dev-Tech won.”
The expressions on the shareholders’ faces changed. Most of them were smiling and nodding their approval. Two members still gave Mick distrustful glares but at least his heartfelt speech had charmed most of them.
He looked back at Nicole. Of course, she was the most important person he wanted to win over. The way she watched him wasn’t as harsh as it had been earlier or even yesterday, thank goodness. But he wanted to see the spark of excitement in her melting green eyes once again. He wouldn’t give up until he had her full trust.
“Thank you, Mick,” she said. “My grandfather had a loving heart, and he was a good man.”
“He was the best.” Mick smiled.
Her intake of breath was ragged, but when she exhaled, a small smile touched her mouth. That was a start, and right now, that’s all the encouragement he needed.
“Now, let’s talk business,” Mick said as his mind finally cleared and he was able to focus. “I have a few suggestions on ways to stop my father.” He glanced back at Nicole and smiled fully. “I hope we’ll be able to incorporate one of these ideas and get the ball rolling today.”
She nodded, giving him the silentokayas she linked her fingers on the table in front of her. Finally, she didn’t peer at him with disdain. Perhaps he was one step closer to capturing her heart.
His mind halted for a moment.Her heart?What was he thinking? Did he really want her heart, or could they just be very good friends?
He shook away the thought as he concentrated on the others. He’d think about that later. But by the rapid beat of his heart, he worried that he already knew the answer.
