Page 60 of Remembering Passion

“Because if Dad kicks the bucket, his will says Sinclair is up for sale.”

My sister’s eyes widened. “No. Why would we sell? We’re doing better than we have.”

“Derek’s will is old,” Stephen explained. “It was made right before Damien was named CEO. Derek didn’t want to see the company get into the wrong hands.”

Dani looked at me. “Darius.”

I nodded.

Stephen, went on, “Derek also wanted to maintain the reputation he’d built.”

“Don’t you mean inherited?” I asked.

“But,” Dani said, talking to me, “if your probation is over and you’re the official CEO, can’t you stop the sale?”

“Yes, he could,” Stephen answered.

“If you call for a vote and you’re approved, it’s the same?”

Stephen nodded.

Dani squared her shoulders. “Then have the vote.”

I shook my head. “Darius has been sowing some bullshit with a few of the board members. The older ones know he’s full of shit, but there are a few newer members who missed the Darius shit show. And there’s Gloria. Darius said he’s been talking to her.”

Dani scrunched her forehead. “Seriously, Damien. Isn’t that over?”

“It is,” I confirmed.

“Gloria wouldn’t vote against you after all you’ve done,” she went on. “I can’t believe any members would vote to replace you.”

“If the vote occurred today,” I said, “it might be shaky. Sinclair needs an increase in scripts. Some of the facilities are leery of prescribing the propanolamine, choosing instead to treat the symptoms, not work on the root cause, subduing the memories.”

“Moon Medical,” she said.

I nodded. “They have a new anxiety formula they’re pushing.”

She shook her head. “I worried about the coalition; having Moon Medical involved seems concerning.”

“Technically, we aren’t competitors. We don’t manufacture the same medication. We can treat the same patients.” I looked to Stephen. “Dad isn’t going to die. Once he’s better, we convince him to change the will.”

He should have done it before now.

“What if the doctors are right and there’s cognitive damage?” Dani asked.

“If he’s not legally competent, his will can’t be changed,” Stephen responded.

“Fuck,” I growled. “The man isn’t dead. He’s simply recovering from his surgery. The meds they have him on would make anyone squirrelly. Stop making this into more than it is.”

Dani laid her hand on my lower arm. “Have you gotten any sleep?”

“Since I got the call…about five hours total.” Inhaling, I sat taller. “I have a meeting I need to attend this weekend, but I’m not leaving until I can speak to Dad.”

“Have you heard from Darius?” she asked.

“He called me on Monday with some bullshit about Dad being upset about the quarterly bonuses. He’s probably telling everyone the heart attack is my fault.”

Dani shook her head. “Dad wasn’t upset. He called me a few weeks ago to let me know it would be decreased. He’s proud of what you’re doing, Damien. No matter what happens to him, know that.”

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