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“You move fast.”
Over the hands he’d pressed together, he regarded her. “It may seem that way to you. And I’m sorry for that. But it’s been in the works for quite some time.”
She sat back, as if the air had left her lungs.
“As a rule, in business, I seize good opportunities, but I’m never reckless. I’m methodical, ensuring everything is in order.” He tapped his index fingers together. “The timeline was accelerated because Samuel was hoping a change in ownership would allow him the opportunity to defer or decrease fines and penalties. If you’d look at it objectively, you might realize it was a hell of a good decision. And that I’m not the bastard you called me.”
“That, Mr. Donovan, remains to be seen.”
Chapter Two
“There’s a limit to how much I’ll tolerate, Ms. Lane. Even from you. Especially from you. Are we clear?”
A chill raced down her spine. The way he looked at her, with his stern green eyes focused narrowly on her, made her squirm. No man had ever gotten to her this way before. She didn’t like overbearing men. In fact, she did everything possible to get away from them. So this—whatever it was that she experienced with Nathan Donovan—disoriented her. Disturbed her. Left her shaken. Made her want to test him to find out his limits. It was crazy, exciting, scary.
“As I’ve mentioned, this will all go much better with your support. But I do have people at Donovan Worldwide who I can bring over as an assistant on a temporary basis,” he continued. “As for the actual mechanics of this job, I’m willing to bet that, for the right price, I can hire Ted Ramirez.”
The name of one of the VPs from North Star Marine startled her, though it shouldn’t. Donovan clearly knew the industry and had studied it. North Star was Newman’s largest competitor, and no doubt Nathan was correct. Ted Ramirez was ambitious. Ingratiating himself with the Donovans would be a perfect play.
Nathan’s voice was relentless, his gaze uncompromising, as he finished, “This discussion is over. You either work for me—with me—or I will happily accept your resignation. I’ll see you get a decent severance package.”
The threatening tick in his jaw warned her not to push him.
Being fired from this job wouldn’t look good on her résumé. Even if she said she was terminated during the transition, she doubted Donovan would give her a good letter of recommendation. Her choice was no choice. She owed it to the employees, as well as the Newmans, to work with Donovan.
Her entire life, she’d stood up to powerful males…her father and grandfather who had rigid expectations about a woman’s role. After her mother’s death when she was thirteen, Kelsey had instinctively rebelled against what she saw as oppression.
Even though she’d cared for her younger sister while her father was at the office, Kelsey had diligently fought for scholarships and worked her way through college.
Ironically, Kelsey had chosen to work in a male-dominated industry. Still, nothing in her experience had prepared her to deal with a man like Nathan Donovan.
“I’m waiting.”
Pretending her heart wasn’t racing, she nodded. “Understood, Mr. Donovan. But I’m not apologizing for anything I’ve said.”
“Noted.”
She realized he hadn’t agreed with her, only that he’d heard what she said.
“So a truce?” he asked.
From her perspective, it was an uneasy one. After several more seconds, she managed to tear her gaze away from his.
Purposefully ignoring the Donovan Logistics logo that was bouncing across her screen, she moved her mouse to wake up the computer.
After entering her password, she opened a few documents, including an organizational chart. She printed it off and handed it to him.
He glanced at it, put it down then grabbed a pen. “Who needs to be at this morning’s meeting?”
She blocked out the image of him, the rakishly long hair and strong jawline that she would find appealing in any other man, and determinedly read off names. He put checkmarks next to them with precise, quick strokes.
“Give me the name of someone who’s a maven.”
She tipped her head to one side. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Every company has someone. A person who seems to know everyone and their personal business. Always knows what’s going on. Keeper of information.”
“A gossip?” she asked.
He shrugged. “But one who people generally like.”
“Martha Leone. She’s the receptionist for the HR department.” Kelsey nodded, understanding where he was going. More and more, she recognized how astute he was.
