Christmas Secrets. Barbara Dunlop

      “I’m not that complicated.”

      “Yes, you are. But that’s not my point. We need to use every weapon at our disposal. One of the strongest, if not the strongest we have is the fact that, for now, we are in charge. Get up.”

      Her brows shot up. “Excuse me?”

      “There’s an empty office on the top floor—you’re moving in. Right now.”

      “You can’t order me to—”

      “Amber.”

      She set her jaw.

      He ignored the expression. “Your biggest weakness is that nobody can picture you at the helm.”

      “That’s because I’m not capable of taking the helm.”

      “Who says?”

      “Reason and good judgment?”

      “They’re wrong. And you’re wrong.” His tone hardened. This was too important to mess up. “And if you don’t march yourself up to that corner office right now and start giving orders, then you haven’t done your best by Zachary.”

      “I have done everything—”

      “No, Amber. You haven’t. Right now, between the two of us, we control sixty-five percent of Coast Eagle. Let’s start acting like it. Let’s let the world see us at the helm. That way, they’ll know we can do it.”

      She glanced around her office, the three computer screens, the stacks of reports. “But—”

      “First stop, your boss’s office to give him permission to replace you.”

      “Give away my job?” The prospect clearly distressed her.

      “Temporarily. Trust me, Amber. And if you can’t trust me, trust Destiny. Phone her now. I know she’ll agree.”

      Amber’s lips compressed as she obviously thought through the situation.

      “Being seen in charge is our best weapon,” he reiterated. “Don’t throw it away.”

      “Okay.” She came to her feet, expression determined. “I’m willing to try anything.”

      Cole felt a surge of relief. He’d known she was stubborn. But he’d also known she was smart. Luckily, smart had won out.

      “I’ve never even set foot in this store,” Amber whispered to Destiny.

      The next step in Cole’s stated strategy was to deck both of them out in what he called a power wardrobe. From what Amber could see, that meant spending a whole lot of money.

      “I’ve never shopped here, either,” Destiny answered. “But I know some of the senior partners do. I’ve heard them mention the name.”

      “I don’t dare look at the price tags,” said Amber, glancing around at the gleaming floors, marble pillars and leather furniture groupings with complimentary designer water and champagne.

      “What price tags?” asked Destiny. “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”

      “I think I might break out in hives.”

      Cole and Luca entered the store behind them.

      “This ought to do it,” said Luca with obvious satisfaction.

      Cole took in the high, brightly lit ceilings. “It’s nothing like the Fashion Farm back home.”

      “Are you two going upstairs?” Destiny nodded to the sign for menswear.

      “And miss the fun?” asked Luca.

      “Let’s get Amber decked out first,” said Cole. “I want to make sure she doesn’t hold back.”

      “You doubt my powers of persuasion?” asked Destiny.

      “You’ll make me self-conscious,” Amber told Cole.

      “What better means to cure you? If you can get comfortable in front of me, the rest of the executives will be easy.” He pointed to a headless mannequin in a blazer and skirt combination. “What about that?”

      The skirt was short and black, scattered with tiny white flecks. The blouse was white with a braided scooped neck. And the blazer was solid black, fitted, with the sleeves pushed up the forearms.

      “I like the necklace, too,” said Cole. “And the belt. Why not try on the whole thing?”

      “You don’t think the skirt’s a little short?” Amber asked. Though she would admit, the outfit looked fun.

      “Shows you have confidence,” said Cole.

      “I don’t have confidence.”

      Cole turned to Destiny. “You see what I’m dealing with?”

      “It would work with black stockings,” said Destiny.

      Cole opened his mouth, but Luca elbowed him in the ribs.

      A sales clerk arrived. “Do you need any help?” she asked with a broad smile.

      Amber couldn’t help wondering what Cole had been about to say on the topic of black stockings. She also couldn’t seem to stop a shimmer of sexual awareness.

      “She needs a whole new wardrobe,” said Cole, gesturing to Amber.

      Amber shifted under everyone’s scrutiny. “Oh, I wouldn’t say I need an entire—”

      “Shut up,” Destiny interrupted. She gestured back to Cole. “He’s buying, and we need her to look like a million bucks. Literally.”

      “Daywear, evening, office?” the clerk asked.

      “Yes,” said Cole.

      “This is getting out of hand,” said Amber.

      She understood the principle behind his strategy. And now that she’d had a few hours to think about it, she agreed with it. But still, it wasn’t necessary to go overboard.

      “She’s been appointed to chair the board of a billion-dollar company,” said Cole.

      Amber opened her mouth to disagree, but his look stopped her. Fine. Okay. She was going to stop telling people she was a fraud. She was still a fraud, but she could fake it for Zachary’s sake.

      “Bring it on,” she said to the clerk. “I need to look good in the office. I have several evening meetings scheduled, and given the season, there are a few formal events, as well.”

      “She’ll need shoes and purses,” said Destiny.

      “Don’t forget jewelry,” said Luca.

      “Do we want to do something with her hair?” asked Cole.

      Amber glared at him. “Careful. You’re next.”

      “I’m perfectly willing to get a haircut.”

      “He’s the…” Amber paused. “What is your title? You’re going to need a title. I’m thinking a big, brass plate on the office door, Mr. Henderson.”

      “The Big Cheese?” joked Luca.

      Destiny gave him a thumbs-down.

      The clerk smirked as she began looking through the well-spaced racks.

      “Grand Pooh-Bah,” said Cole.

      “I’m not joking,” said Amber. “This is your plan. You need to buy all the way in.”

      “We’ve got a president. We’ve got a chair. Executive board member?”

      “You can be the chair,” said Amber. “I’ll be an executive board