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I wasn't sure what he wanted to hear, but I decided on the truth. "Ice and I are also involved. I think he and Mannix might be involved with each other too." I watched for Leo's reaction, but he was neither surprised nor upset to hear that.
"I don't know about Ares," I added after a moment. "I think he hates me."
Leo smiled at my grimace. "I think Ares hates most people, including himself. I'm sure you'll have him eating out of your hand in no time. Did you know your mother and I started that way? When we first met, we couldn't stand each other."
I cocked my head at him. "No, I didn't know that. I thought it was love at first sight. For her anyway."
"Lust at first sight, maybe, but you don't want to hear about that. We eventually realised we had more in common than different. We're both strong personalities."
"That's for sure," I said dryly. Once they set their sights on each other, there was no going back for either of them. I thought it was my mother who decided they should be together, but now I knew it was mutual. No one in the world could make Leo Cassani do something he didn't want to do.
"It's a trait you've inherited from your mother. That's clear to see. And one of the reasons I will allow you to be with my son. He doesn't need a weak willed woman he can walk all over. Or a weak willed man, for that matter. People like Mannix and I destroy people like that, even if we don't mean to." He seemed to be referring to someone in particular and I wondered if it was Mannix's mother. I could definitely see how guys like these would tear apart anyone without the strength to stand up to them. I wasn't sure if I was strong enough, but I'd have to be, or he'd eat me alive. Literally and figuratively.
I decided my cappuccino was cool enough to drink and took a sip. I half closed my eyes in appreciation of how delicious it was. I could do worse than a stepfather who made coffee that tasted like this.
"This is so good."
Leo grinned. "Of course it is. Nothing but the best for our family." He toasted me with his cup, then said, "Mannix says he thinks you'd be an asset to my business. Once you've finished your degree."
"I'm not really sure what you do," I admitted. None of the guys gave me much detail, apart from Leo being powerful in some way.
"Lots of different things. I deal in transport, real estate, human resources, things like that. You could say I have my finger in several pies. Most of those pies are connected by some kind of computer network."
He smiled wryly. "You can tell by that description that I amnota computer person. I'd like someone close to me, someone I can trust, to be my computer person. If you're interested?"
"I'm definitely interested," I said quickly. It was an opportunity that could make me enough money to start my business the way I wanted to. When I proved myself, I might even convince him to invest. I had a feeling proving myself was going to require me to work my ass off, but that was okay. I wasn't afraid of hard work and I knew I was more than capable of doing the job.
"Of course you are," he said as though he never expected any other response from me.
What would he have said if I said no? He probably would have kept asking until I said yes, or strongly encouraged Mannix to convince me. Fortunately, that wasn't a problem.
Except for one thing.
"Shouldn't you interview a bunch of people before you decide?" Hiring me because we were more or less related, might be a rash move on his part. I didn't want anyone to think I got the job based on anything other than my skills. Hell, people would think that anyway. I'd prove them wrong.
"I know what I want and what my business needs, and that's you," he said simply. "Your mother and Mannix agreed and I trust both of them implicitly. Also, I spoke to your university and they gave me their endorsement."
My mouth formed an O. "I didn't realise you'd dug so deep."
"I always do before I approach anyone." He gave me the impression he now knew my panty size, my favourite food and that I wanted to get a tattoo of an owl on my ankle someday. Did he also know what happened that night during the ball?
No, he couldn't. He couldn't read my mind and someone like him wouldn't be involved in murder.
Right?
"I didn't mean to imply you wouldn't check out every prospective employee. I guess I just assumed…"
He raised his eyebrows at me and waited until I finished. Of course he wouldn't make it easy on me, not when he clearly expected honesty from me. He wasn't the sort of man people lied to and got away with it
I cleared my throat. "Maybe you were doing a favour for Mum. Or Mannix."
Leo put his empty cup aside and leaned his weight on his elbows. "I love your mother and my son very much, but I don't do favours like that. Not when it comes to my business. If your mother insisted I hire you, I'd still do a thorough check of you and your skills to figure out if and where you fit. And if you didn't, I'd tell her no."
I couldn't resist asking, "And if Mannix asked?"
Leo chuckled. He ducked his head for a moment, then looked back up. "Same deal. I don't trust anyone's judgement as well as I trust my own, not even my sons’. Either of them. They would be the first to bitch at me if I hired the wrong person and lost a chunk of their inheritance down the toilet."
"I'm sure they wouldn't be—" I started.
