AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her cheeks heated, feeling stupid for assuming Mr. James only wanted to see her, but if Patrick hadn’t been staring directly at her when he spoke she wouldn’t have made that assumption.
She and the others followed him to the suite which looked more like a small upscale New York apartment rather than a hotel suite. Along with the other staff, Elizabeth took a seat on the soft comfortable leather furniture as she waited patiently to hear what Mr. James had to say. He started off by thanking them for a job well done this past year, and then he announced he would be stepping down within the next couple of years, and was looking in this suite for a replacement, someone to oversee the operations of Palmer James Company. Judging from the shocked expressions on everybody’s face, she knew she wasn’t the only one surprised by his announcement. She always assumed he would run the company until the day he died.
Her heart hammered in her chest as she realized she was being considered for this task. She glanced around the room, analyzing the other staff members in the running for this opportunity, and couldn’t believe that she was among them. Most of them were twenty or more years her senior with a multitude of experience. Then she found herself thinking about Joe and the kids, back in Chicago. She found herself wondering if he would consider moving to New York, away from his family. She mentally shook her head in an attempt to clear the thoughts of Joe away so she could focus on what Mr. James was saying.
Mr. James fielded a few questions, assured them he wasn’t sick or anything, reiterated it was simply time to move forward with the succession process, and then he dismissed them.
He was right, he was getting on in years, and at least her dad’s age. Why shouldn’t he retire and enjoy the remainder of his life, stress-free.
Elizabeth had just about stepped into the elevator with the others when Patrick called her name.
She glanced in his direction. “Yes?”
“My uncle would like to speak to you again.”
“Okay.” Her pulse quickened. He wanted to speak to her again, and without the others, this had to be a good sign.
She spun and followed Patrick back to the room. He unlocked the door and pushed it open for her. Mr. James wasn’t in the suite.
“He’ll be out in a minute,” Patrick offered, answering her unasked question.
He stepped over the bar, poured three glasses of champagne, and then handed one to her. Not wanting to appear rude, she accepted the drink without reservation. She hadn’t drunk any alcohol all night, surely one glass wouldn’t hurt anything.
Moments passed, and still no Mr. James. What was going on? Apprehension rushed to the forefront. Something wasn’t right. She hurriedly stepped back from the bar, and nearly stumbled over her own feet but caught herself with the use of a chair. Sweat beaded on her upper lip, her stomach swirled, and the room went wavy. She couldn’t focus her vision. Patrick’s hands were on her, his cold slim fingers around her neck.
Chapter Fourteen
Joe stared at the clock as it struck midnight. He hadn’t heard from Elizabeth yet. Before he knew it, 3:00 a.m. had passed and he still lay awake waiting for her call. He considered calling her, but decided against it, assuming she didn’t call because it got too late.
Sometime shortly thereafter, he’d fallen asleep. He woke again when Max and Molly jumped onto his bed.
“Good morning, Daddy!”
Joe’s weary eyes popped open and he flashed them a big smile. “Morning.”
He climbed out of bed and checked both his landline and cell phone to see if Elizabeth had called. Nothing. He thought about calling her, but didn’t, in the event it had been a late night for her and she was still sleeping.
