“Not anymore, butIcare.”
Chuckling out of disappointment, Mick shook his head. “For the first time in my life, I pity you. How low does one sink topay backa dead man? Gads, you’re pathetic, and I’m relieved I’m nothing like you.”
Mick didn’t think his father’s glare could get any darker, but it did.
“This is a warning, son—”
“No.” Mick interrupted. “I’m warning you – do not try to take over this company, because you’re a sore loser, and I don’t like seeing grown men cry.”
Mick swung around and marched back toward the crowd. He would try his hardest not to let Nicole know about this conversation or that his father was in town. She didn’t need the stress. But Mick was relieved for telling his father off.
Was he walking taller now? He grinned. He definitely felt his chest bursting with a little more pride now.
He should have said those words to Carl Remington a long time ago. Of course, now that he’d made the threat, he’d better follow through on it. He just hoped Nicole would let him.
* * * *
MICK HELD NICOLE’Shand as they sat across from James Adkins’ lawyer. The middle-aged man wore the same suit as Mick. Armani was the best. But what worried Mick wasn’t the man’s fancy clothes or that the man colored his hair black to hide the gray, it was that the lawyer had a hard time meeting Mick’s gaze. The man’s attention was even skittish around Nicole.
“Thanks for coming so soon after the funeral,” the man said.
“Mr. Kennedy,” Nicole said sweetly, “I’m just glad you were able to see us so quickly. I’m anxious to take over as president. There’s so much that needs to be done, and there’s no time like the present.”
Mr. Kennedy smiled at Nicole, but then his focus dropped to the papers in his hands. “Miss Adkins, your grandfather’s will was amended just the other day. He’d called me in for an emergency meeting. He was very adamant about fixing something in the will.”
Nicole’s forehead creased, and unease settled over Mick. Why did he have the feeling that she wasn’t going to like what her grandfather fixed?
“Now you have me curious, Mr. Kennedy.” She released her hold of Mick’s hand and leaned forward, resting her arms on the dark oak wood desk.
“Then let me begin reading the will.”
Mr. Kennedy cleared his throat. “I, James W. Atkins, of 1679 Champion Drive in Maple Springs, Colorado, being of sound mind, declare this as my last Will and Testament. I revoke all prior wills and codicils.”
Nicole fidgeted in her seat, linking her fingers together in her lap. It made Mick a little nervous just watching her.
“To my granddaughter, Nicole Lynnette Adkins, I leave both of my estates, here in Maple Springs, and my summer estate in San Diego, California, and all of my money.” The lawyer paused for a moment, and then continued, “As for my company, Adkins Dev-Tech... I leave that to... Mick Remington—”
Nicole sucked in her breath and her back stiffened.“What?”
Mick sprang off the chair and stood. “What?” His voice was louder than Nicole’s as shock waves rolled through him. The lawyer must be mistaken.
Mr. Kennedy raised his hand. “Let me finish, please.” He cleared his throat, keeping his focus on the will and testament. “I leave the company to Mick Remington on the condition that he works alongside my granddaughter, Nicole Adkins, making decisions together as they make the company better.”
“Why... why...” Nicole shook her head and looked at Mick. “Why did he leave it toyou?”
Mick groaned and rubbed his forehead. Why had James done this? Now Mick had to tell Nicole something he’d hoped to keep secret. Nicole would kill Mick – or hate him.
Sighing, he raised his gaze to hers. She pierced him with an accusing glare that nearly ripped his heart from his chest.
“I honestly don’t know why James left me the business. I’m assuming it’s because when I had talked to him last, we chatted about taking the company in a different direction to try and drum up more revenue.”
“And... when did you have this meeting with my grandfather?” she asked with stiff lips.
“The day I came into town. That’s the reason I came here, remember? Because I knew my father was going to sink his claws—”
“I don’t believe this!” Nicole snapped. Tears filled her eyes, but her face was red with anger. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d already met with him?”
Mick wanted to take her in his arms and hold her... and make everything better. But this wasn’t the right time for that. The shock of James’ will was too great for both of them to handle alone, so he needed to ease her pain and worry in some way.
