AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter One
HEAD OVER HEELS
EGYPT
I’m in love with my boss. It’s been two years of nonstop secret lusting after a man who only sees me as his highly competent executive personal assistant. I never would’ve guessed that I could fall in love with someone I work for, but here I am.
When I first started working for Giovanni DeLuca, I was awestruck. He was so dreamy, the strong silent type with mysteriousness swimming in the depths of his eyes. He always has just the right amount of facial hair to cover his chiseled jaw, and even though you can tell his nose has been broken, Giovanni was and still is the most gorgeous man I have ever had the pleasure of seeing.
His dark brown eyes hold me captive every time I’m in his presence, and at first, it was a problem. I would zone out, getting lost in his magnetic stare, daydreaming about the things he could do to me.
However, I quickly learned that Giovanni wasn’t just a handsome face, and he also wasn’t the kind of man you daydream about once you got to know him. Giovanni is not a nice guy. He’s not happy-go-lucky, he’s not friendly, and from what I can tell, he isn’t at all romantic. He is the walking definition of a hard-ass. He is a tough, non-smiling, strict, no-nonsense, take no shit, scariest person on the planet.And I’m in love with him!
Hopelessly, head-over-heels, heart’s for eyes, in love with my boss. I really can’t recall when it happened exactly, and for a while, I was able to disguise my growing feelings and keep my lustful thoughts at bay. But it gets tougher and tougher every day to hide how I truly feel.
I know it would be hard to believe that anyone could fall in love with a guy like Giovanni, but to know him is to love him. He may not be kind in the traditional sense of the word, but he has kindness in him. He shows it to me in little ways, like getting my favorite coffee every morning even though I’m supposed to be getting his. Or the fact he sends me gifts every year for my birthday, Christmas, and work anniversary. He even checks up on my father and makes sure that neither of us needs anything.
I know that sounds like small things that a normal boss should do. But Giovanni is not a normal boss. I still can’t believe I got a call from his office out of the blue. I had given up on searching for a job here in Nashville and started expanding my search to other cities and even other states when I finally got a call for an interview.
Being an executive personal assistant was not my dream job, but I was the first person to go to college in my family, and I felt like I had the world on my shoulders. I had just graduated with a marketing degree and no plan. I was in more debt coming out of college than I was going in. I was stressed the hell out and ready to give up when I got the call from G.C.D. Corporation. I almost fainted when I interviewed and was offered a starting pay of six figures.
Who makes one-hundred-thousand dollars right out of college? Nobody, that’s who! I was suspicious as hell at first because even though the job had an excess of responsibilities, almost a twenty-four-hour on-call schedule, and a non-disclosure agreement attached to it, I knew there had to be a more qualified candidate.
But, when they offered me the job, especially with zero experience it was too good to pass up. It was my chance to stay in Nashville, where I grew up, and I got to live on my own for the first time. It’s only ever been my father and me, so I feel obligated to take care of him now that he is getting older. With this job, neither of us would have to worry about bills.
After I signed the N.D.A., I was given the details of my job. Giovanni DeLuca owns and operates an online gaming company. When I found out that the bulk of the games were for gambling, and it wasn’t exactly legal here in Tennessee, I was uncertain.
When I expressed my concerns, it was explained how it all worked. Because the operating headquarters for the online business isn’t based in Tennessee, it isn’t illegal gambling. It’s a loophole that I’m sure some politician somewhere left open on purpose. It eased my fears, and I became comfortable working for Giovanni. The more comfortable I became, the more responsibilities I was given.
With each new duty, I was given a hefty raise. Now, I’d be an idiot to leave. And even though the online portion of the business is toeing the line of lawful, I know some of Giovanni’s ventures have erased the line completely.
For instance, Giovanni throws mansion parties on the outskirts of Nashville. The gambling that happens there brings in millions of dollars, and because they happen right here on Tennessee soil where casino gamblingisillegal, that makes the parties illegal.
I know I should feel bad that I’m engaging in illegal activities, and money isn’t everything. But I’m twenty-four years old, my student loans are paid off, and I helped my father get out of debt. When you grow up the way I did, not having to worry about money is a blessing that I prayed for time and time again.
So, I continue to turn a blind eye and pretend that Idon’twork for an illegal gambling corporation, that I’mnotin love with the corporation’s owner, and that the owner of the corporation is alsonotin the Mafia. The biggest Mafia family in the world, to be exact.
Now, I know that being involved in illegal gaming and the Mafia seems like a big stretch for a woman like me. But I grew up in Dodge City, one of the most notorious projects in Nashville. So seeing crime isn’t new to me. However, being the personal assistant to the Capo of the DeLuca family is definitely new. It isn’t something that you plan, and to be fair, Giovanni didn’t intend to give me that responsibility. I sort of stumbled upon that part of the job.
***
PAST
“Girl, why can’t you go out with us? Ever since you started working for The Brawler, you’ve been M.I.A. I miss my bestie.”
“Alexa, stop whining. We aren’t in college anymore. I have a real grown-up job and responsibilities. I can’t just go clubbing with ya’ll just because you whine.” I roll my eyes at my friend and her foolishness.
This is the best opportunity I’ve ever had. Mr. DeLuca took a chance on hiring me, and I will not mess it up by tricking off my work to go and drink. I don’t even like going out. No, I will be on call twenty-four-seven like my contract said, and I will work my ass off so I can help my daddy with his bills.
“Come on, Egypt. I’ve been trying to get into this club since it opened. I finally have the hookup for tonight, and I need my wingman.” Alexa’s tone is pleading, but at least she isn’t using the whiny voice that irritates my soul.
“I can’t, Lexie.” I use her pet name to soften my refusal. “You know I would if I could. But Mr. DeLuca has a really important meeting tomorrow, and I have to be ready. It’s my chance to make a good impression.”
I hear Alexa suck her teeth through the phone, but I know she’s going to relent. She knows how important this job is to me, and I’ve never been the irresponsible one out of our friend group.
“Fine. But you owe me heffah. I gotta go so I can get ready. I guess I can call Ari to go with me.” Alexa sighs.
I hold in my laugh because you would think that Ari would be a drag by how put out Alexa sounds. The funny thing is, they are just alike. In fact, they’re identical twins.
