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“Can I help you?”?”
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Gomez. I tried to stop him,” Ashley, my assistant, replied, with a quick look in his direction. “Would you like me to call security?”
The tall and meaty bald-headed man who had just barged into my office held his hands up and gave me a smirk that sent a shiver of unease racing up my spine. “That won’t be necessary. Ms. Gomez and I won’t be long.”
I stood firm behind my desk, keeping it as a barrier between us while I studied him. “Unfortunately, I don’t take unscheduled meetings. You’re welcome to check with my assistant, Ashley and set up an appointment on my calendar.”
Considering it had already been two weeks since my arrival in Miami, I had a feeling what it was about. In the past two weeks alone, we had made plenty of strides and headway with our construction plan, and we had forged relationships with several local vendors. I had even gone out of my way to ensure we had a peaceful relationship with the locals, knowing how important it was not to be perceived as a threat.
But I had known that we were being watched the entire time.
ThatIwas being watched.
And it made me double check the locks in the room at night and leave a baseball bat next to my nightstand.
I did, after all, know all about the heavy cloud of suspicion surrounding McIntyre Inc.
And I had half expected this visit since the moment I set foot in the new branch, a smaller hotel that Holt Enterprises had brought out. While I had spent most of my time and energy on the new site, wanting it to be a smashing success, I also knew that it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. With a quick and meaningful look in Ashley’s direction, she pulled the door shut behind her and moved behind her desk.
She gave me a quick nod before she sat down.
“I apologize for not making an appointment in advance,” the man began, before rolling up the sleeves of his gray button down shirt. “I had a feeling you wouldn’t be able to fit me in with your busy schedule.”
“I’m sure if you have a word with Ashley, we can find time to fit you into the schedule, Mr…”
“Russo,” he replied, pausing to give me another bone chilling smirk. “I know all about your plans for the beach resort, Ms. Gomez.”
I rifled through some papers on my desk while trying to ignore the pounding of my heart. “Are you interested in becoming an investor, Mr. Russo? I can set up a meeting with the board if that’s what you want.”
Mr. Russo took a step towards me, so he stood on the other side of my desk. “I think you and I both know why I’m really here, Ms. Gomez.”
I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. “No, I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Russo.”
Damn it. Where the fuck is security?
And what the fuck am I supposed to do with this man?
I did not want to be in my office alone with this man.
My only solace was that the glass doors of my office offered a clear view inside, and Ashely hadn’t taken her eyes off of me. She was on the phone already, presumably trying to hunt down security. Right now, all I cared about was keeping him calm and making sure he didn’t endanger anyone else.
“Mr. McIntyre has heard all about your resort, and he wanted to personally welcome you to Miami.”
“How generous of him. I’ll be sure to invite him to the grand opening.”
Mr. Russo leaned over the desk, and his dark eyes grew tight around the edges. “I don’t think you’ll be needing to do that, Ms. Gomez.”
“Why is that?” I steaded myself, and tried to keep my breathing smooth, and calm.
Silence stretched between us.
Mr. Russo’s hand moved to his jacket, and when he pushed it back, I caught a brief glimpse of the gun tucked into the waistband of his trousers. Panic raced up and down my spine before settling heavily in the center of my stomach. I didn’t look away from him as I stood up straighter and ignored the urge to run. It’s not like I could get past him anyway. He was stocky and blocking my pathway to the door. I tried my best to look casually unbothered.
“I’m sure you know that Mr. McIntyre has several resorts in the area,” Mr. Russo continued, allowing his jacket to fall back into place. “Many of them used to belong to other companies that went out of business.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
Mr. Russo nodded and drew himself up to his full height. “It is, but Mr. McIntyre is extremely generous, Ms. Gomez. They were well compensated.”
