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At Callie’s in-drawn breath, Irene waved a graceful, perfectly manicured hand in the air

“Yes, I know you expected to head up the new special developments team, but if we don’t identify Tre of our business firmly in the bud, there won’t be a special developments team for you to head because in all likelihood, in a couple of years, there would be no Palmer Enterprises” Irene leaned forward in her chair, her eyes suddenly bright with unexpected tears “I will do whatever it takes to protect Pal to helpso else”

Callie felt sick to her stomach She knew Josh Tremont’s activities had affected the Palmers—but to the extent that he could destroy the business within a couple of years? Things orse than she thought

Inevitability settled like a fatalistic dark cloak around Callie’s shoulders

“So I’ht to keep her voice level

“Well, far be it fro,” Irene blinked back the remnants of weakness in her eyes and co her smooth complexion

No one would guess, fro at her, that she was sixty-five She had the kind of elegant beauty that was tih there was an air about her that didn’t invite confidences Not ot close to Irene Callie was one of her chosen few

“Of course not”

Callie’s answering s in humour Irene would never stoop so low as to verbalise such a command, but the implication was clear

“My dear, you kno grateful ill be,” Irene said with an inclination of her elegantly coiffed head “Essentially, you’d still be working for us, just…differently, that’s all You know I’ht now, you’re our only hope”

Suddenly filled with nervous energy, Callie pushed up out of her chair and stalked back and forth across the carpet

“We don’t even know that he’s going to offer me a job,” she blurted “He only asked me to meet him for lunch”

A small crease forht you better than that Of course he’s going to offer you a position It’s hoorks Each one of the key staff he’s poached from us has been invited to lunch with him first It’s not as if he hides his intentions”