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The main reason I’m taking this road trip is because I don’t trust the Facilities report I was given. I need to meet with the Vice President of Operations in each of these offices and find out what they know. I cannot afford a repeat of the Seattle situation right now.
I have a branch relocation plan, but I didn’t want to implement it for at least a year…six months, if pushed. I want to fire the current Senior Vice President of Facilities, but that would leave me without anyone in that position. At this point, I’ve got to play the hand I’ve been dealt.
I contacted a headhunter and had her submit a list of potential replacements for my lazy ass Senior Vice President of Facilities. Once Tony checks them out, I’ll start interviewing. My ideal candidate for a short term fix is Gabriella, but she’s not ready. I’d send Tony, but I need his help on this road trip. I have a feeling Seattle wasn’t the only office with a circumspect lease. Seems I’m stuck with this idiot for a little longer.
I forgot to send Gabriella a picture of Tony. On first glance, he looks intimidating, but that’s what I need. We go way back. When I took this position, I insisted he be added to my team. He’s more like my assistant. He knows how I work and has a vast knowledge of commercial real estate and construction. He’s also in charge of my security. Before I do business with or hire anyone, he runs a thorough background check.
When I agreed to take this job, he began gathering information on all the board members and senior executives. I needed to know who would be loyal to me. At the present, the team consists of three people…me, Tony and Gabriella.
CHAPTER THREE
Gabriella
WE PULLED UP NEXT TO A huge jet and parked. My nerves were on edge. I should have known we’d be traveling on the company jet. Tony got out and opened my door. “Mr. Marchant will be here shortly.”
“Thank you.” He helped me out of the car and my mind filled with a thousand possible ways this could be bad. I walked up the stairs and when I crossed the threshold of the plane, my mouth dropped open. I looked around the beautiful space and figured if I were being sold into white slavery, at least I was going in style with a great dress.
“Good afternoon Miss Townsend. I’m Gil.” Oh great another strange man. Am I the only female working for this man?
“Hello.” I shook the gentleman’s hand.
“Can I get you something while we wait for Mr. Marchant?”
Alcohol wasn’t an option, I needed to stay alert. “A mineral water please. Thank you.”
“Have a seat and I’ll be right back.”
I sat down and watched as Tony loaded the bags, then disappeared. I closed my eyes and said a little prayer, followed by a couple of deep breaths. Then I sent a text to my mother, “So far so good.”
Gil returned. “Here you are Miss.” He looked out the window. “Mr. Marchant has arrived.”
My heart leapt into my throat. I took a long sip from my glass, popped a breath mint, and stood up. I brushed the imaginary lint off my sleeve, rubbed my tongue across my teeth checking for lipstick, and folded my hands in front of me. I looked out the window hoping to get a glimpse of the elusive Phillippe Marchant as he got out of the black Bentley, but Tony “The Wall,” was blocking my view.
I held my breath and aimed my eyes at the entrance, but all I saw was his back, followed by the voice from the phone.
“Tony, make sure Marcos knows to go to my place and check on things. Have him forward anything that looks important to the D.C. office, and I’ll see you on board.”
Now I was confused. I thought Tony was the driver. Who the crap is Marcos? I’m surrounded by strange men. I looked down briefly. When I raised my head, my eyes landed on a very tall, young, hot man walking towards me. My body reacted in a way I had never experienced. I was trembling from head to toe, and a strange sensation settled in the lower half of my body.
I’ve never seen an executive or man that looked like this. Most of the executives at Morgan Grant were older and definitely not this fine. This man’s skin looked like rich black coffee. I wanted to touch his face to see if it felt as smooth as it looked. He was wearing a light grey suit and a simple white shirt, with the first few buttons undone to reveal more of that beautiful dark skin. He continued toward me and his spicy scent filled up the plane. This couldn’t be…
“Phillippe, we finally meet.” He extended his hand and I saw his guns. My God, every muscle in his body was at attention and now he was giving me permission to touch him.
“Hello.?
?? I shook his hand and a spark erupted. No really, an electric shock.
“Must be the carpet,” he joked.
“Sir,” Gil appeared.
“Gil, thank you for taking care of Miss Townsend. Once we get on our way, please serve lunch. I haven’t eaten since this morning. When Tony gets back, tell the pilot wheels up. Thank you.”
“Yes sir.” Gil disappeared to the rear of the plane.
“Gabriella,” he looked at me and the most salacious thought crossed my mind. For a moment, I forgot I was a good girl excited about this amazing job God had blessed me with. “Have a seat. We have a lot to discuss before we land.”
I smiled, sat down, grabbed the necessary files, and buckled my seat belt. I reached for my iPad and when I straightened up, Phillippe was sitting across from me. He had taken his jacket off, revealing more of his incredible build. He removed his cufflinks and began rolling up his shirt sleeves. I was fascinated by the crisp white cotton bending at his will, releasing more of his demanding, intoxicating scent. I tried to focus on my iPad, telling myself, Don’t look at him. If you do, you might suffer the same fate as Lot’s wife and turn into a pillar of salt. I lifted up my iPad and pretended to read. All of a sudden the plane seemed dark. I looked up and Tony was walking towards us.
