Chapter 13 - NAOMI’S DECISION
Naomi wanted to leave.
That was the one thing Damon had not expected.
Three weeks after Victor’s arrest, she placed a resignation letter on his desk.
Damon read it once.
Then again.
“No.”
Naomi raised an eyebrow.
“You know employees are allowed to resign.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you say no?”
“Instinct.”
For the first time in weeks, she almost smiled.
Then her expression became serious.
“I came here under false pretenses.”
“You came here to find evidence my wife wanted found.”
“I still lied on my application.”
“You omitted history.”
“That’s a polished billionaire version of lied.”
Damon sighed.
“You’re leaving because you feel guilty.”
“I’m leaving because this house was a mission.”
“And now?”
“Now Victor is facing charges. Marcus has the truth attached to his name. Elena’s story is out. The foundation money is being restored.”
She looked around the study.
“I need to figure out who I am when I’m not chasing dead people’s unfinished business.”
Damon understood that too well.
“What about Project Starling?”
“I’ll serve as trustee.”
“As my employee?”
“No.”
“As what?”
Naomi met his eyes.
“Your equal.”
Something inside Damon shifted.
“Good.”
She looked surprised.
“That was easy.”
“I’ve recently learned that controlling people usually ends badly.”
Naomi laughed.
Then Damon slid her resignation back across the desk.
“Accepted.”
Her smile disappeared.
He continued.
“With one condition.”
“There it is.”
“You never wear that gray uniform again.”
Naomi stared at him.
Then laughed harder.
Zuri ran into the room.
“What funny?”
“Mr. Ashford fired Mommy,” Naomi said.
Damon looked offended.
“She quit.”
Zuri climbed into his chair.
“No.”
“No what?”
“No fire Mommy.”
“I didn’t.”
Zuri pointed at him.
“You say sorry.”
Naomi covered her mouth.
Damon bowed his head solemnly.
“I apologize for respecting your mother’s resignation.”
Zuri considered that.
“Okay.”
Then she grabbed Damon’s pen.
“I’m boss now.”
“You keep saying that.”
“First order.”
Damon looked at Naomi.
Naomi shrugged.
Zuri announced:
“Mommy needs big office.”
Damon froze.
Naomi laughed.
“Absolutely not.”
But Project Starling did need an executive director.
Someone who understood Elena’s purpose.
Someone who understood the women it was designed to serve.
Someone who could never again be intimidated by an Ashford.
Damon looked at Naomi.
She saw the idea forming.
“No.”
“You haven’t heard it.”
“I know that face.”
“What face?”
“Rich man making plans for other people.”
He leaned back.
“Fair criticism.”
Naomi’s smile softened.
“But?”
“But I’m asking.”
Six weeks later, Naomi accepted the position.
Not because Damon offered it.
Because the independent board chose her unanimously.
Then, on the morning Project Starling purchased its first building, Damon received a letter forwarded from Victor’s attorney.
Victor had written it himself.
Only four sentences.
The final one read:
You still don’t understand why Elena trusted Naomi more than you.
Damon stared at the line.
Naomi read it once.
May you like
Then quietly said:
“I do.”
