“For crying out loud, spit it out.” Wilson Montgomery hollered from the back of the room.
Brigit’s mouth went dry.
Marjorie clasped her hand. “Ready?”
Swallowing hard, Brigit nodded.
“The vote is seventy-nine percent to twenty-one percent,” said the spindly man.
Brigit and Colton exchanged nervous glances.
The man’s lips curved into a crooked smile. “The proposed sale to MobiCom has been rejected. Congratulations, Mr. Mitus. The Francesco Company is yours.”
The room erupted in applause and gleeful shouts. They’d defeated Wilson Montgomery.
“Yes!” Brigit hugged Marjorie with her good arm. “We did it!”
Colton hugged Chad, then threaded his arm gently around Brigit’s waist. “You made this happen.”
Smiling from ear to ear, she said, “Wemade this happen.” A plum-size lump formed in her throat. Colton deserved the company and all the success that would follow once Crockett Boxes rolled out.
“Victory!” Marjorie threw her arms up and Chad bear-hugged her. “Whew, am I relieved. Drinks are on me.”
Reaching up, Brigit kissed Chad’s cheek. “You’re the real hero, you know that? I wouldn’t have made it here without you.”
“Name your reward.” Colton slapped Chad on the back. “A raise? An extra week of vacation? You’re all about more security equipment, right?”
Grinning, Chad shifted his attention to Brigit. “What I’d really like is an introduction to the hot brunette with you at Sullivan’s.” He glanced at Colton. “Kathryn, right?”
Brigit laughed. “Consider it done, but take the raise, the extra week ofpaidvacation and the new gadgets. You deserve it all.”
As shareholders migrated toward the exit doors, they expressed their congratulations. When the room had emptied out, Wilson Montgomery sauntered over. “I underestimated you, Colton.”
Colton’s smile dropped and his eyes grew ice cold. “That was always your downfall.”
“You’ve assembled quite a team here.” Wilson winked at Brigit. “I’m impressed you cozied up to Francesco’s heir. You’re more like your dear ol’ dad than I gave you credit for.”
Brigit wanted to smack his face.What a pig.
Colton placed a possessive hand around her shoulder. “Wrong again. I’m nothing like you. Nothing at all.”
Dobb sidled closer as Wilson extended his hand to Colton.
“Ah, save it,” Marjorie said. “And take your lackey with you. Dobb’s office has already been cleaned out and fumigated.”
Glaring at Marjorie, Wilson slid his hand into his pocket. “You’re a first-class—”
Marjorie shoved her index finger up to his face. “You so much asglancein the direction of the Francesco Company and I’ll have the Securities and Exchange Commission breathing down your back.”
On a grunt, Wilson did an about-face and marched out of the ballroom with Dobb close on his heels.
“There go two of the slimiest men I have ever met,” Brigit said.
“Boy, was he trying to get a reaction out of you.” Marjorie patted Colton’s shoulder. “But you’re too smart to take the bait.”
“Marjorie, that CEO position is yours. What do you say?” Colton asked.
As Marjorie tapped a cigarette on her palm, she shifted her attention to Brigit. “Isn’t it time our crack wealth manager took the reins?”
