Page 126 of Sinclair Duet

“Thank you, Mr. Sharp. Is there any other business?” Dani asked.

“The addendum,” Damien said.

Dani nodded. “It was brought to my brother’s attention that there is an old addendum in the company bylaws, a clause that would allow the appointment of a CEO if the candidate were married. In essence, it would remove the remainder of Damien’s probationary period now that he is married, making him a permanent CEO.” She turned to Gloria. “That permanentappointment would demonstrate the strength you are concerned about.”

“We can’t put someone into a position of power with a no-confidence vote hanging over his head,” Gloria replied.

“I’ve never seen this addendum,” Mr. Hatfield said.

“Me either,” Grace Haas added.

Gloria turned to me. “The board would need proof of a marriage.”

Dani sat back and lifted her phone. A moment later, she looked up. “The bylaws including the addendum has just been sent to everyone’s inbox. I motion we adjourn today’s meeting of the Sinclair Pharmaceuticals executive board and plan to reconvene a week from today. During that time, I ask that all board members familiarize themselves with the addendum in question and that Mr. and Mrs. Damien Sinclair contact the pharma coalition and return to our meeting prepared to address the board’s concern.” She turned to Gloria.

“Second,” Gloria said begrudgingly.

Dani hit the gavel. “Meeting adjourned.”

Damien came to my side and reached for my hand and spoke low. “This isn’t over.”

“It should be,” I whispered. “You’re married.”

“We need to make the no-confidence go away.” He tilted his head toward the front of the room, where Gloria, Rachel, Darius, and Amber were conversing. “They’d rather take down Sinclair than let me continue as CEO.”

Dani appeared at our side. “Mom was right to ask you to keep Darius and Amber away from Dad. I don’t know what’s with them, but damn.”

I reached out and rubbed her arm. “Thanks for the two votes.”

Her smile grew. “That was fun.” Her expression sobered. “Damien, you don’t really think they’re a threat, do you?”

“Nice try, sis. We’re going through with the bodyguards.”

Gabriella

Johnathon brought Dani, Damien, and me lunch from the second-floor deli to Damien’s office. As for my new space, I’d spent about thirty minutes in the office first thing this morning. At that time, the new campaign was far from my mind. However, now as the three of us ate, I was mentally questioning every member of the coalition, wondering if it would make a difference to them that Damien and I were married.

I turned toward Damien. “Shit, we didn’t ask anyone to sign an NDA.”

His blue stare looked at me filled with puzzlement.

“About our marriage,” I explained. “We didn’t want it announced.”

“You didn’t.”

“Damien, what about my family?”

He sat taller, inhaled, and exhaled. “Should probably call your parents when we get a chance.”

You think?

Moving my chicken salad around in the bowl, I tried to think about our current fires. No doubt, my parents would be a future one, but why add extra flames. There was what Gloria mentioned about the coalition. “I should pass the campaign on to Niles,” I said before taking another bite of chicken salad.

Damien shook his head. “I was clear with Mrs. Barns—you or no campaign.”

Setting my fork down, I exhaled and leaned back against the chair. “The campaign is a good idea. The coalition has agreed. You can’t unilaterally end it.” When he didn’t respond, I added, “You did that to get me here. I’m here.” I lifted my left hand. “We’re married. If Gloria wants to use our marriage against the coalition, I don’t want to be responsible for the dissolution of what Julia worked to accomplish.”

“Losing Moon Medical wouldn’t be a significant loss.”

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