A small woman with iron-gray hair and square-frame black glasses appeared from a door built into the wall behind reception. Wearing a severely cut suit the color of raisins, she extended her hand. “My name is Irene Garrett, Ms. Winslow. I was Mr. Winslow’s personal assistant for the last thirty years.” This was delivered with little emotion, just the facts.
Bev shook her hand. She guessed this woman knew just about everything about Winslow Holdings. “You must be excellent at your job, Ms. Garrett. From what I’ve heard of Reginald, he had extremely high expectations.”
Irene gave a slight nod at this. “Your grandfather demanded the best from people.”
She nearly flinched at the use of the word grandfather. She would never call him that.
Irene interrupted her thoughts. “I’m to take you to the conference room on the executive floor. As per Mr. Callahan’s instructions, the board will be here in one hour.” Irene faced Finn. “Mr. Callahan, your assistant has preceded your arrival, and everything is as you wished.”
After Ms. Garrett turned toward the main elevators, discreetly tucked behind the waterfall, Bev looked at him and widened her eyes. “That is what you call no-nonsense.”
He winked. “I keep expecting her to take out a ruler and threaten corporal punishment. Though, she is probably the most organized person I’ve met. Reginald was never late and always prepared. When you run something this huge, I don’t care how good you are, you need help. I assume that terrifying woman had quite a bit to do with his success.”
Both of them shut up as they caught up to the assistant, waiting for them at the elevators. Of the four elevators available, one was under repair. Ms. Garrett inclined her head. “That elevator will be repaired before noon today, Ms. Winslow.”
“Okay.” Why had she shared the information unless she knew Bev was the heir? Granted, it didn’t take a genius to figure out she was here for a reason. Perhaps Reginald’s former assistant knew everything? It wouldn’t surprise her if her grandfather had prepared her for this eventuality
They rode the elevator in silence, the three of them facing the cloudy, mirrored doors. She wondered if Irene was worried about her job. That reminded her of the huge responsibility she was about to take on. This wasn’t like running Atlantic Charters. The sheer size of Winslow Holdings was enough to overwhelm Atlas.
She knew the basic tenets of good business. Budgets, acquisitions, and how to manage people. But comparing her little business to Winslow Holdings was like comparing a Jet Ski to an ocean liner.
The elevator doors popped open on the executive level. She had no idea how many floors the building had, but they landed at the penthouse. Floor-to-ceiling windows with harbor views lined the perimeter of the huge circle, with the elevators at the center. Instead of a typical office floor with cubicles and busy employees at their monitors, the executive floor seemed to be made entirely of glass.
The offices were private. They were enclosed with glass walls and doors, but that’s where the privacy ended. She assumed Reginald wanted it this way, so he could monitor his soldiers. She might be wrong, though. The views of Boston and the harbor were stunning enough for most designers to leave out the obstructions. Either way, she liked it…which surprised her.
“If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to the conference room,” Ms. Garrett pointed down a corridor.
They followed her to a room with a huge glass table. Two offices were situated on either side, separated by the glass walls. A woman in one office openly stared at them. Bev gave her a little nod.
Naturally, people would wonder about her. As Ms. Garrett held open the glass door for them, they entered. At one end of the room was a teak table holding coffee service and a tray of Danish. At the other end of the room was an identical table with nothing on it. There were few adornments and no artwork on the walls, but she thought the place could use a plant or two.
“Ms. Winslow, Mr. Callahan, please make yourselves comfortable. I’ll send in your assistant, Mr. Callahan.”
“Thank you, Ms. Garrett. We will need you as the second witness.” He tossed his briefcase to a chair. Ms. Garrett said nothing and took her leave.
He touched her arm. “How are you holding up?”
“I feel fine.”
“How’s your head?”
“Fine.”
“Did you take another pain pill?”
“No.”
“OK…so we’re doing one-word answers? Must be a nerves thing.” He poured her a glass of water.
“I don’t want to be fuzzy for this fiasco,” she crossed her arms. “I don’t want to be here in the first place, but that’s moot. So, I’m not going to look like a flaky idiot, too looped on Vicodin to handle the job.”
He handed her the glass. His tawny eyes filled with understanding. She told herself to focus on the moment and forget about the handsome lawyer. She tried to explain her concerns again to him.
“I mean, no one can possibly fathom how much his or her life will change when faced with this much money,” Bev paced. “And the press and attention. If that welcoming committee outside was any indication, I’m definitely not ready to deal with the loss of anonymity.”
She put the glass down without drinking. “I can look at most situations logically and make informed decisions. The problem here is I haven’t been given the choice. The decisions are made for me. I’m not sure I’ll get past that.”
“I’m here to help.”
“I appreciate it, I do. It’s just all too huge. Too much. I’m not sure I can do it.”
“I told you from the beginning this wouldn’t be how I would handle it, but your grandfather was rogue. He chose you for a reason. All I can do is help where I can, all the while wishing I hadn’t foisted this on you. I just want you safe more than anything.”
Yet again, his words took her by surprise. She had spent quite a bit of the sleepless night before thinking about her predicament. The rest of the night, she thought of Finn. He was so far out of her league it was scary. Christ, she had Googled him. Finn Callahan’s family didn’t disown daughters or entertain the masses with public inheritances and scandal.
His family used their fortune for good. His mother headed up the family foundation and spent her days giving away millions of dollars. Conversely, her mother had spent most of Bev’s childhood grieving for a family that didn’t want her and neglecting her only child in the process.
His father owned the largest import business in the Northeast. Her father had conned his way into jail, twice. Lovely pedigree. He was everything she wasn’t: polished, sophisticated, and charming. Everything she needed to be for the job before her. She didn’t even own another suit. She didn’t even know how to shop for another suit.
Yet sometimes he looked at her as no one had. She’d decided last night she could handle most things, even this inheritance. But Finn Callahan was a complication she was having a hard time simplifying. He didn’t behave like most men she knew. She knew his concern for her was genuine, but it had to be because he was a nice guy and her attorney. It didn’t mean anything more.
“I appreciate having someone like you in my corner,” she said, tugging on the sleeve of her jacket. “I don’t blame you for foisting this on me.”
“Thanks. Having you as a client is a hell of lot better than Reginald.”
“How so?”
“Reginald was an ass, and you’re not.”
She snorted at his blunt answer.
He shook his head. “Seriously, you’re more open, but just as direct. I can tell you’re the type of person who gets things done. Reginald did too, but without any regard for who it might affect. He didn’t care about people the way you do. And there is the added bonus of you being much prettier than Reginald.” He wagged his brows.
“Well, that’s something.”
He had a way of lightening the mood just when she needed him to. And he was sexy as hell. What was she supposed to do with him?
Chapter Thirteen
&nb
sp; Bev stood as the board members filed into the conference room. She tamped down her fear and observed the group of privileged, paunchy men. Not a female on the board. Unfortunately, that was all too common, not just at her grandfather’s company. Her company. It was hers now. She could make changes, and she would. But first she had to get through this meeting.
One of the board members approached her, and she recognized him as John Hamilton, Serena’s husband and Reginald’s son-in-law. She hadn’t paid a lot of attention to John during the will reading, as Serena had filled the room with her anger.
He wore his navy suit as if he was born in it. He had kind, blue eyes and a full head of blond hair. She wasn’t sure if his tan was real or not, but she imagined he spent hours on a sailboat or maybe the golf course. He appeared much younger than his supposed fifty-five years. He reached for her hand as he spoke. “Ms. Winslow, it is a pleasure to see you again.”
Surprised by his warm manner, she extended her hand. “Hello.”
“I understand you’ll be making an announcement. Serena and I were in the car when we saw the news report of you entering the building.”
She pulled her hand back. “Serena’s here?”
“Actually, she’s in our apartment a few blocks over. Naturally when Finn called the board meeting, we put it all together.” He gave her an avuncular smile.
“If, indeed, congratulations are in order, and you are taking over, my only interest is what’s best for the shareholders. Serena understands the importance of a smooth transition for the sake of the company. Of course, she is upset by what she considers Reginald’s betrayal, but she’ll do what’s necessary.”
Not used to holding in her thoughts, she blurted out the first thing that popped in her mind. “That doesn’t sound like Serena.”
John laughed. “My wife is passionate about family. Sometimes her reactions get the better of her. I’m here to assure you, we will do what’s best for the Winslow name.” He patted her shoulder awkwardly. “I’m here to help.” With that pronouncement, he took his place at the conference table.
She leaned toward Finn. “That was weird and completely unexpected.”
“Not really. John Hamilton is a survivor. Most likely, in his mind, the twenty million Reginald left Serena is a bitter pill, but his position on this board guarantees him quite a few perks and a huge income for as long as he remains a member. It only makes sense he tries to befriend you. I imagine it took quite a bit of convincing to get Serena to back down. I didn’t think he had it in him.” His eyes darkened. “This only confirms in my mind Serena is to blame for the office explosion. She has no qualms going behind John’s back. Now, to prove it.”
“No, now we start a board meeting.” Instead of waiting for a reply, she approached the conference table and stared down twelve men whose collective expression could only be described as terrified. She almost laughed at how transparent they were. Worrying whether she would lose them their fortunes. She slowed her breathing, forced a calm she didn’t feel. The nerves didn’t settle, but she knew she could do this. There wasn’t a choice.
“Gentlemen, my name is Beverly Winslow and I am your new president and CEO. I understand you will all want answers. There are none, except to say this was what Reginald wanted. We will have to be content with that for now.”
She felt the tension in the room rise with her words. Her palms dampened. “Ms. Garrett will provide you with individual reports outlining my background, a release from my physician confirming excellent health—as required by this board—and a personal appointment time for each of you to meet with me individually. It is my wish we all work together for the continued success of Winslow Holdings. The stock price is going to take a hit when this becomes public knowledge. It is imperative this board do everything in its power to lessen the effects for the shareholders and employees. With that in mind, there is a press conference scheduled today at one o’clock. I don’t feel it would be prudent to wait any longer to make the announcement when there is rampant speculation. It makes people twitchy.”
As this was met with a few smiles but mostly a stony reception, she swallowed hard. “My plans do not include making any immediate changes.”
Ms. Garrett finished passing out the folders and stood against the window waiting. Bev said, “I'd ask if you, Ms. Garrett, would stay on as my assistant?”
She received the woman’s nod and knew she wouldn’t get much more from her. “Are there any questions?”
Several board members stared at one another in the awkward silence. Finally, John Hamilton stood. “I’d like to welcome you to Winslow Holdings, Ms. Winslow. I believe I speak for all of us when I say we look forward to the challenges and successes ahead with you at the helm.” John began applauding, shaming his fellow board members into standing and doing the same. Finn, Ms. Garrett, and Julie, Finn’s assistant, joined in as well.
As the applause died down, John opened his arms. “Can I offer a suggestion to help with the transition? Perhaps if the entire board were present during the press conference, it might show an unspoken vote of confidence from us. How do you feel about that, Ms. Winslow?”
Suddenly very grateful, she said, “Call me Bev.”
Chapter Fourteen
“In what can only be called a shocking twist, the heir to the Winslow fortune was revealed today as she took over as president and CEO of Winslow Holdings. The three-hundred-million-dollar fortune was expected to be passed to the only child Reginald Winslow the Third publicly acknowledged—his daughter Serena with her husband, John, taking over the company assets.
“Instead, Reginald passed the vast empire on to his granddaughter Beverly Regina Winslow, the daughter of Regina Winslow—the same daughter he disinherited thirty years ago. Now sources claim the granddaughter didn’t want the fortune at all. Up until the time of her grandfather’s death, Ms. Winslow was a successful business owner of Atlantic Charters, a boat charter operation out of Salem. Ms. Winslow, no slouch in the brains department either, holds multiple degrees in Biology, Communications, and an MBA from Wharton. Perhaps her grandfather knew what he was doing when he put her in charge?”
Bev used the remote device to click off the TV. The story was everywhere. She’d hoped they would focus solely on her new role as CEO—which she’d announced at the press conference—but they had factored her mother’s disinheritance into it.
Now she was both exhausted and wired at the same time. She needed her boat. Finn planned to stay with her in Salem until her security team was in place and she moved into the apartment she was supposed to live in. She didn’t mind Boston, but she didn’t want to live in Reginald’s lair. When she felt the tears threaten, she called out to him as he quietly reviewed a contract for another client at the kitchen island.
“I need to take a ride. Are you coming?” Maybe he needed to finish the work, she thought too late. He had a lot of other clients.
He strolled out of the kitchen. “Sure.” Suddenly a knock sounded at her front door. “I’ll get it,” he said. “It might be the security team.”
She came up behind him as he opened it. Her stomach dropped. “Hello, Chuck.”
“I’ve asked you to call me Dad,” her father answered with his wide, oily smile. She wondered if she had actually paid for his veneers with all the money she had given him over the years.
Chuck Devon looked at Finn, then past him, at her. “Aren’t you going to introduce us, darling?”
She tried to calm the swirling nausea in her stomach.
“No introductions necessary, Mr. Devon.” Finn loomed in front of the doorway, blocking entrance. “You won’t be coming in today.”
“Bev, tell your friend this isn’t how you treat family.”
“I’m her attorney, Mr. Devon,” Finn said smoothly. “Since you are here, without invitation I add, it saves me a phone call to track you down.”
Chuck's smile was oily in the extreme. “Track me down? But why?”
“From this point forward, Ms. Winsl
ow will adopt the same practice as Mr. Winslow did with regard to your monetary requirements. There will be none. As in, you are cut off.”
The smile turned instantly to an icy stare. It did nothing to calm her racing heart. “Listen to me, little girl. You tell this tight-ass we made an arrangement. I watch the news; there’s plenty of money to spare.” He clenched his fist. “If you don’t help out your old dad, I’ll find another way.”
She swallowed the lump forming in her throat, but Finn jumped in again before she could speak. “If you are insinuating you can blackmail my client’s mother, you’re wrong. That won’t be possible. And, Mr. Devon…” He stepped toward him until they were eye to eye. And her father was a big man. “If you try to harm her for her inheritance, I’d remind you a living parent cannot inherit his child’s money if that parent did nothing to support the child while she was living. Now, the courts show you didn’t provide a single child support payment to Ms. Winslow’s mother while my client was a minor. Therefore, no court in the world will find in your favor.”
Her father’s eyes widened. “Are you suggesting I would kill my own daughter?”
“I’m suggesting you’d do just about anything for cash. You won’t get it here.”
Her mind reeled. How did Finn know so much about her father and his past behaviors, and why hadn’t he said something before?
Chuck stared at his daughter. “This isn’t over.”
Bev steadied herself with a hand on Finn’s back when he said, “Yes, it is.”
****
The wind whipped her ponytail, slashing strands of hair against her cheeks and stinging her eyes. Bumping along over the choppy waves, the small wooden cabin cruiser handled the turbulence just beautifully. Bev helmed the wheel and maneuvered them out of Salem Harbor. Once in open water, she opened up the motor farther to speed along the rocky coast. She so needed to breathe in the salty air and take in the peace being on the water brought.
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