After the Dawn Read Online Free PDF Page B

be working with someone else. Don’t think harshly of him,” she rushed to say at her uncle’s angry expression. “He was worried. The company is in trouble. He wanted to save it, and he thought Dillon and I could pull it off. I think that’s why he put off his surgery.”
    Hands on his hips, her uncle snorted dismissively. “And how do you propose to do that? I’ve been here, helping run the company while you’ve been off playing and drawing the money from my brother’s trust fund. You have no clue how to run Collins Industry. Dillon has even less. More importantly, Daddy fired him.”
    On an apparent roll, Evan swung to Dillon. “Just because Daddy was feeling sentimental that he never claimed his bastard is no reason—”
    Dillon shot out of his seat like a bullet. He grabbed Evan by the collar of his tailor-made white shirt and drew back his fist.
    â€œDillon,” his mother called, catching his arm with both hands. “Stop it.”
    Dillon’s chest heaved with barely controlled rage. “Bastard” was the one word that he would never take easily. He was called that too many times growing up, taunted, not allowed to associate with the “good kids” because his mother wasn’t married when she had him. Abe wasn’t his father, but Dillon had no intention of telling the loudmouthed Evan.
    â€œDillon, please.” His mother’s voice trembled.
    Dillon cut a look at his mother. While he’d been called bastard, she’d been called much worse. She wasn’t turning loose of his hand. He’d walk through burning coals before he hurt her. “Apologize to my mother.”
    â€œI won’t—”
    Dillon’s fist tightened, cutting off the flow of oxygen, then relaxed only marginally. “Do it!”
    â€œI apologize, Marlene,” Evan said with a nasty sneer on his face.
    Dillon shoved Evan distastefully away from him before he hit him anyway. Evan staggered, then straightened. His face promised retribution. “I’ll have you arrested for assault.”
    â€œGo ahead and try,” Dillon told him, noting that Evan’s family had stood but none had tried to help him. “I’ll put my lawyers against yours any day. I was provoked. You’re lucky my mother was here or you’d be picking your teeth up off the floor.”
    â€œCome on, Dillon. Sit down.” His mother tugged his arm.
    â€œCross that line again and nothing will save you.” He finally allowed his mother to lead him back to the love seat he’d been seated on.
    Samantha felt helpless and miserable. This wasn’t what her grandfather wanted. “Uncle Evan, what we don’t know, you can teach us. The company is slowly dying. If that happens, the employees and town will lose as well. Together we can make Collins Industry a top contender with turbo engines again.”
    â€œThe company is fine!” Evan shouted, his chest heaving. “I’ll get an injunction if I have to! I’ll sue! I’ll lock the doors!”
    â€œPerhaps I should finish,” the lawyer said quietly. “If you start any legal proceedings to contest the will, your salary at Collins Industry will be frozen until the case is settled. If you’ll recall, Abe left all of his personal assets—with the exception of the house, which you and your niece own jointly—to Ms. Collins. If you want to fight this, you’ll do it with your personal funds. Since Abe was deemed sane by a notable psychologist, the case could take months, especially if Mr. Montgomery and Ms. Collins decide to fight.”
    â€œI’ll fight,” Dillon promised, for the hell of it. He planned to sign over the company before the day was over.
    Boswell cleared his throat. “However, if you accept the will, Mr. Collins, you’re to remain as vice president with your salary.”
    â€œThat’s blackmail,” said Janice,