Free Laid and Leveraged by Alison Ford Page A

even thought. His bright blue eyes, made all the more striking by his tanned skin, pierced through her as his gaze locked with hers.
    “ So good of you to join us, Ms. Grant, ” he murmured, not bothering to shake her hand. Was that a slight hint of sarcasm she detected in his voice? “ Please, have a seat. ” He pointed to an empty chair on the other side of the table, not her chair – the CEO's chair – but the lowly chair of a mere board member. She hesitated, wondering if she should point out his error.
    As if he knew what she was thinking, Roger Hollins pulled out the CEO's chair at the head of the table, but rather then offering it to her, he eased his own large frame into the seat. He smiled, challenging her to question his authority.
    Michelle stiffened. All right, if that's how Mr. High and Mighty wants to play. She squared her shoulders, tossing her blonde hair. With as much grace as she could muster in light of the obvious usurp of her power, Michelle sat down in the seat Roger Hollins indicated. She wasn't going to split hairs. If he wanted the damned chair he could have it. Michelle had more important things she wanted to save. She clutched the portfolio tighter, and cleared her throat to begin.
    Roger Hollins didn't let her start, instead opening the meeting himself.
    “ Gentlemen and Lady, ” he nodded to her. “ As you all know, this company has seen its fair share of poor management, ” he looked pointedly at Michelle.
    Michelle felt her face go hot with rage at the blatant insult.
    “ I am here to correct that, ” he continued, indifferent to the flames shooting from her eyes.
    “ Some cuts will need to be made if we want to make sure this ship stays afloat. ” The corners of his sensuous mouth turned up into a smile that didn't quite meet his eyes. “ I hope you all understand. ”
    A nervous shuffle sounded around the room as everyone, including Michelle waited to hear what and whom would get the ax.
    “ The good news is, ” Michelle couldn't help but notice his voice had a rich, baritone quality to it while he spoke. “ I believe that the cuts I have outlined will not only help Today's Energy Incorporated to profit but will also make it the United State's next leading authority on green energy. ” He locked his blue eyes with Michelle's before adding, “ as I am sure the founder had in mind when starting this business. ”
    Michelle lifted her chin. Yes that had been her dream. And she did want Today's Energy, her baby, for the last fifteen years to be all that it could be. Perhaps Roger Hollins didn't intend to destroy her life's work as she'd previously thought. His next words erased that hope.
    “ The first thing we're going to do is sell off the solar panel factory. The cost of running it is still too expensive and I see no reason we can't just outsource the work to the Germans. It's not only cheaper, but they have been building solar panels for a lot longer and their engineers are simply more capable than Americans. ”
    Michelle launched out of her seat, her skin hot with fury. “ Mr. Hollins, ” she gritted. “ I think you've vastly underestimated the American engineers. What Today's Energy needs is its own- ”
    He held up a hand, silencing her. “ I'm afraid, Ms. Grant, that you've failed to realize that these decisions have already been made. ” As if that settled her objections he dismissed her by returning to his notes. “ The outsourcing of solar panel manufacturing will be the major change we make to our actual production which leaves the internal cuts I've decided on. ”
    Michelle held her breath, determined to stay seated this time.
    “ The extended maternity leave is far too generous. A paid year off is flat out absurd. Three months max. ”
    Michelle couldn't help it. Despite her previous resolve, she jumped out of her seat.
    “ As a company that is run by a woman, I think- ”
    “ Last I checked, this morning in the shower, ” he smirked, his bold eyes