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I slid into my Ferrari, enjoying the rumble of the engine. As I slipped the gear into drive, I glanced into the rearview mirror. A quick stop at my office then an unexpected, forced meeting with Prescott. I could only imagine his surprise when I showed up on his doorstep for morning coffee.
And the conversation that would leave him shaking in his boots.
Laughing, I gunned the engine, pressing my foot on the gas pedal and accelerating, taking the curves of the driveway at a high rate of speed. I jerked out onto the main estate road, fishtailing briefly, still smiling as dust billowed into the air. Within two minutes, I pulled in front of the main office, jerking the car to a stop. The Ferrari handled like a dream, my one luxurious purchase I’d made since Carmine’s death.
Robert had called it an early midlife crisis. I’d made certain he knew that I deserved the prized possession for all my hard work. Hell, my father had kept his aging Dodge for years, never purchasing anything that would be considered out of character. I wasn’t my father. That had been determined a long time ago.
As I strode into the building, I could tell it was already bustling with activity. From what Robert had told me, the employees were excited at the possible changes. Maybe he’d jumped the gun a bit early, but what the hell? Let them work even harder to achieve our goal. I nodded to several individuals, acknowledging them by name. That was one aspect of leadership my father had drilled into me early on.
“Learn their names and at least one important detail about them. Then they will feel more loyalty to you during the tough times.”
His sage statement had been challenged over the last two years.
As I neared the door to my office, I felt a presence, a heated shudder racing down the length of my body. She was here. She was close. My breath skipping, I turned my head.
Aspen was a lovely vision, her long hair swept up into a ponytail, her attire exactly like the day before; jeans and a tight tee shirt. With her combat-style boots, I could tell she was prepared to take on anything that was tossed in her direction.
Including the shit I’d given her.
She smiled, taking a single step closer then pulling away as soon as two other employees walked up the stairs.
While a part of me wanted to talk to her, I knew what I had to say wouldn’t be what she would expect to hear. I also reminded myself that any weakness would be exploited. So I did what I always did. I shut down, turning away immediately. No. Jerking her into my nightmare wasn’t fair to the woman. She would never be able to handle let alone understand my sadistic needs. At least this way, I might be able to keep her out of harm’s way.
“Aspen. You’re early,” Robert said from behind me.
“Um, yes. I…” When she didn’t finish her statement, I had no doubt she was glaring at my back given the fact I’d ignored her.
I unlocked my office door, half expecting there to be another threat on the floor. I was pleasantly surprised to see there was nothing. Before I could make it inside, I heard Robert’s voice behind me.
“You got a second?” he asked.
“I have a meeting, but you have two minutes.”
He laughed as he walked behind me into my office, shutting the door behind him. “Two minutes. Who do you have a meeting with?”
I didn’t bother answering his question, moving toward my desk and removing a file I’d been putting together for two years. I wanted to refresh myself with the information I’d gathered before confronting Prescott. “What’s on your mind, Robert?”
“What was that exchange?”
“Which one? You’ve been bothered by almost every single exchange I’ve had over the last few months.”
He walked closer. “You know exactly which one I’m talking about. Aspen. I saw the way you two looked at each other.”
“I hadn’t realized you were spying on me, Robert.” He hated when I said his name over and over again, as if I was lording my title and position over him. Today was no exception. The curse words he said under his breath only fueled my determination. I glanced in his direction, cocking my head.
“You’re such an arrogant prick, Montgomery. I never thought I’d say that to you.”
“Yet you have more than once. Your time is almost up. Is there a point to this barrage?”
“Barrage? You have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m going to warn you one last time and I hope to God that you heed what I’m about to say. Aspen is your employee, a woman who has an ironclad contract with a brand spanking new addendum attached. Keep her as nothing more. She doesn’t deserve your brand of bullshit.”
“Tsk. Tsk. Such words so early in the morning. I merely did what you asked me to do. I played nice. Now, why don’t you have your meeting with my new employee while I get some work done?”
The tension between us was higher than normal.
He kept his eyes locked on mine for a full minute then shook his head. “Have it your way. I’m starting not to care any longer, which is sad. Keep in mind that I’ve had a few job offers the last couple of years. They’re looking pretty good right about now. Don’t forget that we have a meeting with the board of directors at ten. I suggest you not be late.” When he left, flinging the door open, his footsteps remained heavy.
I was pissing off everyone who was close to me. Maybe that was in my best interest until my plans were in motion. After fingering the file, I left the building, jumping into my car and speeding off. I was excited for the first time in…
