Page 31 of Rekindling Desire

He wanted more than that.

He wanted me.

“Ella,” Damien called from the main floor.

“I’m down here.” We met on the staircase. “What is it?” I asked, seeing the concern in his expression.

“Van just called. He’d called earlier, but with Dad…I hadn’t returned his call.”

My mind swirled with possibilities. “Is everything all right with Julia and the kids?”

“They’re fine. It’s something he learned about Dwain Welsh.”

“From Moon Medical?”

“I think we’ve discovered Darius and Amber’s plan.”

Damien

Everyone’s attention turned to Ella and me as we entered the large conference room on the second floor of Sinclair Corporate Center. The room had been set up for the emergency meeting. By the expression on Gloria Wilmott’s face, she wasn’t surprised to see Ella at my side. She wasn’t in the minority.

“Damien,” Lynwood Sharp, the board’s parliamentarian and longest standing member greeted us as we entered. With a smile and a nod, he offered his hand to Ella. “Mrs. Sinclair, it’s nice to see you again.”

Ella didn’t fumble. She was in her rare and unique form, the woman I observed at the Beta Kappa Phi gala.

“Mr. Sharp. I’ve missed so many familiar faces.”

Lynwood slapped me on the shoulder. “Congratulations, you two. Sorry to miss the wedding.”

“It was small,” Ella replied.

Lyn’s smile dimmed. “How is Derek?”

Following Stephen’s advice, I made a point of contacting the members of the board last night, a short phone call to personally reach out about Dad and to let them know Ella and I had married. As we progressed around the room, I believed it had been the right move. We weren’t surprising Darius; we shouldn’t surprise anyone.

The room was beginning to fill.

Only the members of the board could vote on any proposals, yet stockholders were welcome to participate in the debates. Sinclair was a private company with less than one hundred stockholders. If everyone showed to each meeting, we’d need a bigger room.

Dani entered.

She was a stockholder.

What many didn’t realize was that the paperwork she and Mom had executed gave Dani the power of both our parents. That not only meant two votes, but it meant she could legally sit in Dad’s position as chairman of the board.

Yes, he was retired, but his chairmanship kept him involved.

“Damien,” Gloria said with a nod.

Ella squeezed my arm. “Excuse me, I’m going to speak with Dani.”

I laid my hand over hers for a moment.

Once she was gone, Gloria went on, “I’m sorry that it has come to this. With the unknown status of your father, we can’t wait any longer.”

“My father’s status isn’t unknown. He’s stable and under the care of competent medical personnel. Tell me what couldn’t wait.”

“Some alarming news has come to my attention, news that the board must sift through for the long-term security and longevity of Sinclair Pharmaceuticals. As vice-chair, it’s my responsibility to expose the concerns even if the timing is awkward.”

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