Destination Connelly Read Online Free Page A

be given a compensation package worth well over a quarter million dollars annually.
    “I would have to move, uproot my life here. I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to leave you.”
    Another catch in the agreement. I would be required to move to Chicago. There could be worse places to live I suppose, but moving is only a small part of the reason I can’t agree to this.
    The offer letter is signed by Camille Hayes, GRASCO Holdings’ Vice President of Human Resources and of course, his name isn’t anywhere on the document, but his stamp is all over it. I could smell it a mile away the minute I opened the fancy ivory linen envelope it was couriered in and reviewed the terms of the agreement.
    Wynn Consulting is in a different league from SER. They’re the big fish in the HR consulting world. Our little company is but a drop in their bucket, so why Connelly Colloway has any interest in buying my uncle’s company may be a mystery to many, but it’s not to me. That was made even more apparent by the ridiculous offer sitting on the corner of my desk.
    So, no. I am not, and will not, take this offer. While it can set me up financially, it will destroy me personally. I need to run far and fast in the complete opposite direction from the sinfully handsome, womanizing CEO of Wynn Consulting. I need to stay away from Connelly Colloway for so many reasons, not the least of which is if he ever finds out what I’ve done…well, I just can’t go there.
    “Nora, there’s a contraption now called the phone.” I snort but can’t crack a smile. He leans forward, pinning me down. “Besides, that’s just an excuse. Not even a good one at that. You’re not even seriously considering this offer, so spill. What’s going on here?”
    I look away, unable to hold his penetrating stare. It’s always been like that with Carl. I could always pull a fast one over on my parents, but never him. There is no way in hell I am going into details about my past with Connelly, because I would have to get into so many things and I just can’t. As close as we are, there is so much Carl doesn’t know about me. So instead of lying, which I’ll be caught red-handed at, I deflect.
    I’m good at that.
    “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. Brad or Greg could easily take over running SER. You don’t need to sell. If you’re tired of working, you can just go part-time. You built this company from the ground up. You know you’ll never be happy running to the senior center every day, playing poker, hitting on the old gray hairs, and drinking smoothies full of kale.”
    His smile is full of something bittersweet, I think. I wish I knew why. Something’s been going on with him for the last few months and no amount of cajoling has convinced him to spill the beans. He sounds as tired as he looks when he speaks. “It’s time, Nora. I’m getting to be a tired old man and besides, I’m starting to like kale and I’m ready to play a lively game of poker and give those little old ladies a run for their money. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even find myself a wife before I kick the old bucket.”
    My mouth turns down. “You’re barely sixty, Carl. What’s really going on with you? I didn’t even know you were thinking about selling your company.”
    And I have to admit, that hurt. Carl has been more of a father to me than my own, so when I had to hear from a client, of all people, that he was in discussions with Wynn to sell his business, I was sure the client was misinformed.
    Turns out it was me and that stung. Still does.
    “There was nothing to tell before. It was all just exploratory until the last meeting when Wynn made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. I need this, Nora. I need to make sure my company and my employees are taken care of. I need to make sure you’re taken care of.” He says the words with smooth practice, but I can tell they are full of carefully constructed half-truths. “Come now, we’re going to be late,” he