Page 1 of Entangled Vow
1
CLAY
Ihad never so much in my life wished somebody was playing a prank on me.
There I was in the office of Alessandro Rinaldi, where I was sure I would come one step closer to realizing a goal I’d set years earlier—aligning myself with a well-known, well-respected brand like the one Alessandro had worked so many years to develop and maintain.Expanding my empire by absorbing another.Doubling the number of properties I owned by purchasing his, allowing him to retire.
I was standing on the threshold of a new era for Manning Hospitality Group.
Or so I thought.Alessandro dropped the bombshell I was still fighting to wrap my head around.If there was one thing I hated, it was being the last one in one a joke.Why was no one laughing?It had to be a joke.
“Just to make sure I get this straight,” I began, struggling for every word.What I needed was to compartmentalize, so I did, nailing a fake smile to my face.I had been in countless meetings with people as influential and powerful as the man in front of me.It was second nature by now, putting my thoughts and feelings aside in favor of maintaining a professional relationship.
After I glanced at the woman standing a few feet from me, I continued, “You are willing to sell me your chain of properties, but only if I marry your daughter?”
“That’s the general idea,” he confirmed, rubbing his gnarled hands together in a gesture of satisfaction.“It’s very important to me that my Mirabella is taken care of once I’m no longer here.”
Mirabella.
Mirabella glared at him, her eyes getting so wide I was almost concerned she would have a heart attack or a fit or something.Her olive complexion had gone a stark white except for a spot of flaming red on both cheeks.“Papa.”That was all she said, hardly moving her lips.Nice lips.Nice face.She was the quintessential Italian beauty—sensuous features, a mass of dark hair pulled back in a thick bun, and a curvy body barely concealed by a slim-fitting suit.
She was either a stellar actress or was as stunned by all this as I was.I had to wonder.Surely, she would know better than I would about her father’s old-fashioned ways.Had he never discussed his ideas with her?Did he not find it necessary to do so?There was a thin line between old-fashioned notions and chauvinism.He didn’t walk that line.I doubt he knew it existed.
“Now, now.”He chortled, opening one of his desk drawers and withdrawing a slim folder.The overhead light gleamed off the top of his bald, liver-spotted head, reminding me of his age despite his gregarious energy.
“I have a tentative contract up here.Naturally, I would like your input,” he told me, glossing over his daughter’s obvious distress in favor of handing me the folder across the desk.“In it, you’ll find every property, the details thereof, and, of course, my firm caveat.The staff remains in place.If you need to add more, by all means, but I will not have any of my people thrown out of work once our deal goes through.”
I could appreciate his commitment to his people and had anticipated this possibility.My prepared response tumbled from my lips while red flags waved like mad in my head.“Absolutely.There’s an obvious reason why your brand is so highly respected.You’re as serious about finding and retaining quality, talented employees as I’ve always been.That’s how I knew this would be a good fit.”But marriage?To his daughter?A perfect stranger, at that?
“Absolutely,” he agreed.“Developing and retaining talent is the cornerstone.”
“Respectfully,” Mirabella gritted out through clenched teeth, “I have put years of work into training these talented, quality employees.Am I expecting to step aside in all of this?”
She was seething.Trembling.I was glad those narrowed, hazel eyes of hers weren’t trained on me.Her hands flexed, then tightened into fists.The woman’s temper ran hot, obviously, but she knew better than to boil over in mixed company.
“Not at all,” he assured her in a voice that dripped with paternal concern.“That’s another one of my caveats.My Mira is a genius,” he informed me while wearing a proud smile.“She has a magic touch when it comes to handling staffing, keeping people happy, anticipating guests’ needs.She is a true asset, and you would do well to keep her in her current position.”
She barely had time to release a shuddering breath before he added, “Of course, that will be between the two of you.Some men would rather not have their wives working outside the home.”
Damn.Even I almost recoiled at that one, and I didn’t know the woman.
She jolted like a current ran through her body.“Can we have a few minutes to discuss this, Papa?”she asked, focused entirely on him.I may as well have not been in the room.“I have a few questions.”
“Please, Mira,” he replied, waving a hand.“We can talk about this later.”
Focus.As uncomfortable as the entire thing was, as much as I disagreed with some of the old man’s methods and viewpoints, I wasn’t here to take part in a feminist manifesto or some bullshit.The presence of this woman didn’t change anything.I still had a goal in sight, just beyond my fingertips.There was no losing sight of it.
Time to get us back on track, focused on the purpose of this meeting.“I have to admit, I’m a little overwhelmed, sir.I’m also flattered that you believe I would be an appropriate match for your daughter.”His daughter, who looked like she would gladly smash my face to pieces under the heels of her red-soled Louboutin’s.
“We will talk about it later, Papa,” she muttered, flexing her hands again while ignoring me.“How nice of you to make my life decisions.I hope you don’t mind my rudeness,” she added, turning to me with those flashing, scornful eyes while venom dripped from her voice.“But I can’t say I consider it flattering the way you do.”
“Mirabella.”Alessandro clicked his tongue mournfully.“Come, now.Where is my warrior?You know what needs to be done when it comes to building a legacy.I believed you were committed to that.”
Her nostrils flared as she released a long, shaky breath.Only the thin lines etched between her dark brows hinted at what was going on inside as she pulled herself together, obviously swallowing back all of the rage coursing through her.I could almost feel sorry for what she must be going through, but then it wasn’t my fault she had assumed things would turn out a certain way.Would she rather have some bloated private equity firm come in, carve the whole thing up, then sell off the pieces?She was acting out of emotion, not business sense.There was no room for emotion in this or anything pertaining to business.
Either way, it had nothing to do with me.“I can leave the two of you alone if you need to talk things over,” I offered, and she scoffed, rolling her eyes, but her father didn’t seem to notice.
He was too busy beaming at me.“No need for that.We don’t want to take up more of your time than necessary.I’m sure you have other things planned for the afternoon.”
