Page 79 of Enthrall Climax
He gave me a sympathetic smile. “So he could manipulate you even more?
“Everything I’ve done has been for your family. For Cole Tea.”
“It’s my time to protectyou. Do what’s right for you. Truth is Mia, you’re just too damn nice for people like us.”
“But my birthday’s next week.” I swallowed hard. “We’re going to Italy.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Please, Henry. I don’t want to go.”
“A birthday is a good time to start anew.” He gestured to the door. “Let’s make this as painless as possible.”
THAT MEETING WITHHELETE Aweek ago at The Belgravia Club had fast-forwarded my plan to blow Mia’s cover. Still, my reasoning was sound—should anyone threaten her here our employees would sound the alarm. I’d have my entire staff aware of her VIP status.
She’d get over it.
I strolled out of my office and approached Sue’s desk. “I want to order a bouquet of roses. Twenty-four. Make them red.”
“I love red roses.”
“Make that pink. To be delivered to marketing.”
“Sure.” Sue reached for a post-it note. “Who shall I send them to?”
“Ms. Mia Lauren.”
Her gaze rose to meet mine.
“Write this, ‘I’m excited about your move to my department. I’ll make it as fun and interesting as possible. There’ll be perks.’”
“Sir, that might be construed as…” She raised her hand. “Not that it’s my place to say.”
“It’s not. Add ‘I love you, sweetheart.’”
Her face went pale and I assumed she was running over all her interactions with Mia.
“Right away, please.”
The lift pinged and Shay stepped out. He was carrying an envelope.
He threw a smile at Sue and followed me back into the office. “How’s it going?”
“It’s going good. How’s your day?”
“Busy.” He shut the door behind him and came over to lay the envelope on my desk. “Is Mia up here?” He looked back toward where her new office was going to be situated, a corner space that was almost as grand as mine.
“She’s probably at her cubicle.” I gestured for him to sit. “Why?”
He gave a shrug and shot off a message to her. “She was in a meeting this morning and didn’t check in with me afterwards.”
“You have her checking in with you?”
“Every hour.”
I ran that through my bastard brain and liked it.
Shay took the seat in front of my desk. “Here’s that report you asked for on The Dionysus Club.” He read my confusion. “Nadine.”
