The Missing Heir(24)

                “There’s no one else,” said Max, spreading his palms.

                “There has to be.”

                “It’s one vote. You take the appointment. You go to one meeting. You vote. You leave. And the new president takes over the reins.” He glanced around her small office, all but wrinkling his nose. “You can come back here an hour later and take over your regular duties.”

                “There’s nothing wrong with my job.”

                “Nobody’s saying there is. Though not many new billionaires would keep working in this particular office.”

                “I’m not a new—”

                “Amber, please. I can see that your instinct is to be humble. But you’re Zachary’s guardian. Anytime you want to exercise it, you have control of a billion-dollar company.”

                “Temporarily.”

                “Maybe. But maybe not.”

                She slid back into her chair, propping her elbows on the table. “It’s not that simple.”

                “It’s very simple.”

                She couldn’t, wouldn’t, didn’t dare let her head run away with any aspect of the situation. There was too much at stake for her to let her guard down.

                She tried to explain her feelings to Max. “I can’t let myself think it’s real until it’s really real. You know?”

                “Amber, this is no time to be superstitious.”

                “I can’t jinx custody of Zachary. I can lose anything else, but not him.”

                “Coast Eagle needs you to step up.”

                Her stomach went hollow, and her pulse began to pound. It wasn’t exactly what Cole had said, but it was close. Two apparently smart men were telling her the same thing.

                “How long do I have to decide?”

                “Twenty-four hours. After that, we may lose MacSweeny.”

                “Let me think about it.”

                Max gave a sharp nod. Then he rose. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”

                “I’ll be here.”

                * * *

                “Max is a very intelligent lawyer,” said Destiny over Zachary’s cries.

                They were in the penthouse kitchen, Amber jostling Zachary and Destiny doling out linguini and salad.

                “You’re a smart lawyer, too,” said Amber.

                “Sure, but I’m looking after your interests. Max is looking after the interests of Coast Eagle. From the perspective of what’s in the best interests of the company, you should absolutely take the board appointment.”

                “And from the perspective of me?”

                “You’ll make a lifelong enemy out of Roth.”

                “I’ve done that simply by breathing.”