Page 50 of Sinclair Duet

“You and Niles have worked well together. What the two of you do is truly a two-person job. I don’t feel it’s right to ask him to do it alone.”

That made sense.

As I made my way back to my office, my mind was filled with all the things I needed to prepare, the information I needed to glean. Millie had been right: I was familiar with the industry. I wasn’t familiar with the other companies. That would be where I needed to start.

Sitting at my desk, I opened the drawer and removed my cellphone from my purse.

Two missed calls and one text message. They were all from the same number:Damien.

“I’m waitingfor your call. I don’t like to wait.”

Gabriella

“I’m waiting for your call. I don’t like to wait.”

Even Damien’ssnarky text message couldn’t sour my mood. After closing the door to my office, I sat at my desk and hit the green icon, calling Damien’s private phone. After six rings, the call went to his voicemail.

Instead of leaving a message, I hung up and typed out a quick text.

“I’ve accepted the position.See you Monday.”

Sighing,I leaned back against my chair and turned from side to side, taking in the bookcases and furniture. While nothing within this room was spectacular, there felt a hint of melancholy at the prospect of moving on. When I worked for Sinclair, my final office was what was now Johnathon’s. It wasn’t truly my own space, but the gateway to the CEO. This room was myfirst real office. A place where I could shut the door and work undisturbed.

Behind my desk was a small window that looked out over green space. Again, it wasn’t the best view in Carmel. Nevertheless, it was a view.

Sighing, I looked down at the notes I’d taken into Millie’s office and the ones I’d made while with her. My first assignment was to learn more about all seven companies within the coalition. Three were located in Illinois: Wade, Holston, and Perry. One was in Michigan: Broche. Two were in Ohio: McCree and Moon. And only Sinclair was located in Indiana.

The rest of the morning was spent learning what I could from public sources. From what Damien had said, I’d have access to more information once I was relocated to Sinclair Corporate Center. This work would give me a head start.

At nearly noon, there was a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I called, ready to go to lunch with Niles.

The door opened inward.

My breathing hitched as the dark blue stare met mine. “Damien, what are you doing here?”

“Since you wouldn’t respond to my calls or text messages, I decided to come to you. Monday is much too far away. I’ll take you to lunch.”

I stood. “I have lunch plans.”

Damien came closer. “Cancel them. I’ve met with Ms. Barns. We have celebrating to do.”

“You met with her…in person?” My empty stomach twisted.

“I did.”

“Is there a problem?”

His chiseled jaw was covered by a fine line of hair, the same color as the combed-back mane on his head. “Only that I couldn’t reach you.”

“I was working.”

“Everyone deserves a lunch break.”

As he spoke, Niles appeared in the open doorway.

“Niles,” I said, causing Damien to turn. “You remember Mr. Sinclair? Damien, Niles.”

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