Taking On The Billionaire (Redhawk Reunion #1) - Robin Covington Page 0,60
urge to tell them to back away from her man.
Because he wasn’t her man. Not anymore.
The sight of Justin and then Franklin Thornton following Adam onto the stage ripped her out of her thoughts. It roused the crowd into a groundswell of murmurs and the flash of cameras highlighted the screen that descended from the ceiling to span the width of the area. Tess tried to get a read off their expressions and while Justin was sedately smug and Franklin was furious, Adam was a cool customer. He was poised and calm as he approached the microphone, his charismatic smile capturing everyone’s full attention. She wished that he would notice her but he didn’t even look in her direction and she wondered if he even knew she was there.
“Good afternoon, my name is Adam Redhawk and I am the co-owner and CEO of Redhawk/Ling. On behalf of my partner and CFO, Justin Ling, and the President of Trident Investments, Mr. Franklin Thornton, I want to welcome you all to the announcement of an exciting collaboration between our two companies. Since Justin and I started Redhawk/Ling ten years ago, we have been committed to developing and creating innovative products that change the way we live for the better. Trident has been a leader in recognizing and financing projects that started in somebody’s garage and those created in a state-of-the-art facility. Together we want to be part of a future that encourages and supports new, fresh and talented inventors to take the risks that create positive change that will impact generations to come. To that end, we are announcing the creation of a program that will recognize the best of the best in new ideas and give them the space, opportunity and the funding to make their dreams a reality. Ladies and gentlemen, I am proud to present to you the Michael Roberts Research Foundation.”
Tess gaped in shock as Adam pressed a button on a remote control and a photograph of her father appeared on the large screen behind him. As his words penetrated the confusion and connected with her brain, a slideshow began that featured her father throughout his career, his inventions and finally a photo of their little family, smiling and leaning on each other. Tess didn’t bother to wipe at the tears streaking her cheeks, not wanting to miss one of the images on the screen. Mia made a choking sound beside her and reached out to grab her hand, her sister’s fingers cold against the suddenly overheated temperature of her own skin. And while Mia’s grasp kept her grounded the expression in Adam’s eyes as he met her gaze made her heart fly.
Adam paused a beat and then continued, never breaking eye contact with her. “Mr. Roberts was a tireless and brilliant scientist and engineer who was integral to the development of what is now Silicon Valley. Unfortunately, his life was cut short but this foundation will ensure that his enthusiasm, dedication, brilliance and innovative spirit will live on. To that end, Redhawk/Ling and Trident have endowed the foundation with matching grants of ten million dollars each with future opportunities for other companies to join us.” Adam gestured toward Justin. “I’m going to hand the Q&A over to Justin Ling.”
Tess watched Adam step down from the stage and stride across the room directly to where she sat. His expression was intense, his stride powerful; everything about him telegraphed that he was coming for her. She rose from her seat, poised to meet him eye to eye. If they had any chance to work, it was how it had to be.
He stopped in front of her and held out his hand. “Walk with me, please.”
It wasn’t a question she had to consider. She would go anywhere with Adam Redhawk.
Tess ignored the murmurs and quizzical looks thrown in their direction but threw a quick look toward Mia. Her sister’s thumbs-up and big smile contrasted with her tear-stained cheeks. Mia nodded, giving her blessing as Tess headed out of the room.
They said nothing as they progressed down the hallway from the conference room, up the large, center staircase and past Estelle’s desk. Adam opened the door to his office and tugged her inside, shutting it firmly behind them. He turned, his eyes dark as night and filled with enough heat to make her shiver.
“Adam.” She gestured toward the conference room full of people. “I don’t know what to say. What you did out there—”