Bachelor CEO. Michele Dunaway

not retiring. I’ve decided to stay until this time next year. Still, I want to start easing my way out slowly.”

      Leroy looked over the crowd, which consisted of business colleagues, friends, neighbors and family. “To achieve my objective and to make the transition smoother, I’ve decided to restructure the top of McDaniel Manufacturing. My good friend Walter Peters and I discussed ideal candidates for the new position I’m creating. It’ll be third in line, behind me and behind Chase, my grandson.”

      Everyone glanced at Chase and he gave a short nod. His face remained taut and impassive, even though Leroy smiled at him.

      “In fact, it’s been so hush-hush that this is the first time I’ve brought it up, even to Chase. However, since I am the CEO…” The few board members present laughed. They would rubber-stamp anything Leroy wanted.

      “I’m calling this new spot a vice presidency, and the person I’ve hired to fill the position is here with us tonight.”

      Walter touched Miranda’s arm in a show of support. She needed it. Even though she wasn’t looking at Chase, she could sense him watching her, and her skin heated.

      “I’d like to introduce Miranda Craig as the new second vice president of McDaniel Manufacturing,” Leroy continued, and somehow she stood and briefly waved to the crowd.

      Only after she sat down did she dare glance at Chase. His grandfather continued to talk, but the speech faded into a background hum as Chase and Miranda’s eyes connected.

      With effort, she managed not to avert her head. She hated what she read on his face. His initial shock had turned into anger and the tight expression guaranteed payback. Since Leroy hadn’t told Chase anything about Miranda, he clearly thought she’d been coy and flirtatious. He thought she’d played him.

      In a sense, maybe she had. She knew what many others in the room did not. Chase was going on forced sabbatical. She was the one who was going to take over his job. She was his grandfather’s choice for the next CEO should Chase fail to return.

      As she watched, Chase lifted his glass to her in a mock salute. A feeling of foreboding settled over her. He wasn’t offering her good wishes. Miranda wasn’t that naive. Gone was the passion, replaced with something much deadlier. Chase wasn’t conceding an inch.

      This was war.