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As she heard Armando’s voice and then he confirmed that Henrique was head of his personal security team, she felt foolish. She said thank you and then handed the phone to Henrique. He placed it onto his hip and as his jacket moved to the side, she noticed the gun. She swallowed hard. Armando did say head of his security team.
As soon as she got into the elevator she cleared her throat.
“I didn’t mean to insult you, Henrique. I was just being cautious. Too many bad stories on the news, I guess,” she said. He looked at her and then glanced at her body. She gave him a challenging expression that only seemed to agitate him, so she turned away. As the elevator stopped, the doors remained closed. Henrique opened up a security panel and pressed a series of buttons. He closed the panel and the elevator moved again. This time when it opened it opened to a small open area. “Please.” He gestured with his hand for her to step out first. She noticed a series of silver doors with nameplates on them, as they headed down the hallway. Once to the end she caught sight of a small desk and an older woman sitting behind it. She gave Mariah the once-over and then forced a smile.
“Mr. Secca is waiting.”
“Thank you,” Mariah said as Henrique stepped forward and opened the large double silver doors.
The moment she entered, Armando’s financial position was quite obvious. The décor was modern, yet lavish in bold burgundy colors. The view behind his massive cherrywood desk was stunning, and there Armando was, talking on his cell phone and holding up a finger asking for them to give him a moment.
Mariah looked around the room. There was a large assortment of books on the shelves, a wet bar in the corner, and a propane fireplace sitting in a small section surrounded by burgundy and black couches. The cream-colored rug in the center was gorgeous and it matched the custom drapes. A person could live in this office. She was utterly impressed.
“Mariah, so nice to see you again. I’m sorry about the phone call. That was Manchenso. Something came up and he cannot meet with us. He’ll be available this evening for dinner though.”
“Oh,” she began to say as Armando leaned forward and kissed her cheek hello. He held her arms as he pulled back and looked her over. “You look incredible. So sophisticated and businesslike.” She felt the warmth hit her cheeks and she shyly looked away.
“I match your color theme here for the office,” she said and then turned to run her hand along the top of the cushioned chair. He chuckled, his laugh thick and powerful.
“So how was the visit with your family and friends? Catch up on the last two years?”
“Not exactly. It’s been very busy but it is nice to be back home.”
“Are you still considering New York or Italy?”
“Perhaps. I did love Tuscany, and those villas are so incredible. I miss it already.”
“Well, villas can be visited at any time.”
“I suppose that Sienna and her men wouldn’t mind me visiting there.”
“I would think not. But you are always welcome at my villa.”
“Oh, you have your own villa like Manchenso?”
His expression changed a moment and then he recovered with a smile. She almost felt as if he were going to lie.
“Yes, that’s right, you saw Manchenso’s villa. Mine is about fifteen minutes from there. Very secluded. Perhaps you’ll visit me there as well?” he asked and she smiled at him.
She locked gazes with his gray eyes, as he began to explain about the tour of the company and the job Manchenso had available.
He was a very sexy and charismatic man, in a Pierce Brosnan kind of way. He told her about the position, about what it entailed, and where the office was located.
“Uhm, Armando, I’m not certain that I’m interested in taking this job. As I mentioned, I have been offered other positions elsewhere,” she said, as he moved closer. He was a bit taller than her, even with the heels on.
“Mariah, a piece of advice, if a man like Manchenso offers you a job in his company, you take it. There won’t be any better offer than from him.”
“I’ll be the one to determine that,” she said.
Armando looked at her as if she were crazy. “I don’t think you’d find a two hundred and fifty thousand dollar starting salary anywhere. Never mind shares in the company stocks.”
“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars? Is he out of his mind?” she asked, and Armando raised one eyebrow at her tone while Henrique chuckled. Armando gave him a look and Henrique excused himself from the room.
She felt about to pass out. There was no way this job was legit. No freaking way.
She placed her hands on her hips.
“So you wouldn’t take a job at that salary?”
