elevators. Parker had made it so some people knew what I looked like, sending them out a mass email to make them aware that there would be a new person in charge. As the tabloids got wind of his death, my picture ended up making an appearance everywhere whether we liked it or not. He had tried his best to keep my identity on a down-lo but was not successful as he would have liked.
I was never an authoritative person. Hence the reason why I fell into Devin’s clutches so fast. I always had problems standing up for myself or channeling my strength. Parker told me that I was strong, that I could do anything. That I didn’t need his help. Maybe not. But I sure as hell wanted it.
Stepping into the elevator, memories of Parker and I fighting came into my mind. Us yelling at each other which then quickly turned into mind-blowing, knee-buckling sex. Even fighting with him turned into sex and it proved that I couldn’t control myself around him. Maybe that was why it was so easy to submit to him. To give him my all.
When the elevator doors dinged open, I was greeted by an older woman, smiling brightly at me.
“Hi,” she said, sticking out her hand.
“Hello.” I returned the handshake.
She stepped back, giving me room to leave the elevator and clapped her hands together. “Keely Price, it’s so nice to finally meet you.”
I frowned. “I’m sorry. You are…?”
“Oh.” She laughed. “Forgive me. I’m Donna Suthers. The current receptionist while Liz is on leave.”
“She’s on leave?” I asked, my brows furrowing. I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that I wouldn’t see her. It had been so long. I missed her terribly.
“Yes,” Donna nodded. “I’m not sure what for. None of my business. But if you would please come with me, everyone is waiting for you.”
My heart started racing, pounding against the walls of my rib cage. This was it. I felt like I was headed towards my doom. Never a public speaker, I was scared shitless. Get me to talk about hacking and computers? I was your woman. But I knew nothing about running a company.
“Don’t worry, you will do fine,” Donna said gently once we reached Parker’s office.
I bit back a scoff. She clearly didn’t know how Parker ran things. He was a perfectionist. Although he didn’t expect me to blow the meeting out of the water, I knew deep down he wanted me to make him proud.
I took several deep cleansing breaths before pushing open the doors, revealing five men sitting around the large oak table. Swallowing hard, I closed the door gently behind me and with my head down, I quickly stepped up to the front of the table.
Deep voices sounded around me, authoritative and sure, dominating and in control.
Clearing my throat several times, I sat in the chair and waited for them to quiet down. When their voices only became louder, I cleared my throat again. No one looked at me or even glanced my way. Again with the throat clearing. And still no sign of movement. The men ranged in sizes and age. But they all held one thing in common. By the venom dripping from their voices, I could tell right away that they didn’t want a woman leading their meeting. How the hell Parker dealt with these assholes was beyond me.
Okay, Keely. I can do this. For Parker. He was the only reason that I was even here in the first place. Standing up, I dropped the thick file onto the table. It landed with a loud thud, shutting up the conversation around me.
Five pairs of eyes slowly glanced my way.
“Do you wish that Mr. Reed was here before you instead of me?” I asked, gripping the edge of the table.
No one answered. They all just looked between each other, contemplating my question.
“None of you are going to answer?” I pretended to look at my watch, not really caring what time it was, and waited.
“I wish he were here,” someone answered.
My eyes shot up. “Who else? Who would rather Parker be here, leading this meeting?”
Slowly, several hands followed.
I nodded. “Good. Then we will get along just fine.” I smiled sweetly at them. “Now, I know that you don’t want a woman standing before you, leading this meeting, let alone the company. But Parker left it to me.” I raised a hand, interrupting the no doubt volley of questions that would soon be flying my way. “That