Page 57 of Stolen Christmas
I step away, finding her touches to be a little disconcerting. Is she flirting with me, or is she just overly inappropriate with everyone? I tug at my cuff. “Well, thank you for taking care of it. If there are any more problems, hopefully we’ll have a new manager soon. Send them to me via email, and I’ll have someone inspect them.” I keep my tone formal and hard so that she doesn’t get the sense that I’m inviting in any way, shape, or form.
“Absolutely, sir.”
“Now, if you’ll excuse me. I need to get back to my wife.”
“You’re married?” she gasps, pressing her hand to her mouth in a faux shocked tone. She fucking clearly saw my ring when I came in, but chose to ignore it. “When did that happen?” Now more than ever, I realize she was intentionally flirting with me, and that pisses me off. Still, I remain civil because I don’t have anyone to replace her.
“Recently. However, I thought the ring was a dead giveaway. Now please excuse me. My bride is waiting for me to go out.” I was going to shake hands like I would any other man, but she gives me foul vibes.
When I enter the lobby, I see Angel sitting on the bench. “What are you doing out here?”
“No offense, but I got tired of watching that woman intentionally touch your arm and shoulder,” she coos, purposely brushing my shoulder and arm playfully.
“Are you jealous?” I question, hoping the fuck she is. I hadn’t intended on that reaction, but I want her to care.
“No, but would you accept some man touching my arm?”
“No.”
“Well, then.”
“That’s because, Wife, I’m more than jealous,” I snarl. I’d rip their fucking heads off, and she should want the same thing.
“Your men in there actually counted the times in there that she did it.” Damn it. I have a massive problem on my hands.
“She was pointing out the mistakes in the machines.” I know damn well that woman was crossing the line, but I’d already killed one manager, and I was about to torture another.
“And she couldn’t do that without pawing you?” Her venomous question is more than reasonable because even I recognize the flirtation; okay, it took me a little longer to realize it. Still, it isn’t worth arguing, considering my hands are tied at the moment.
“I’d fire her if she wasn’t so good at her job.”
“Whatever. I just want to go home.”
“I thought we were going out to eat.”
“I’ve lost my appetite.” I roll my eyes and then call Leo to meet us out front. A moment later, the vehicle is out there, so I lead her out to it, pressing my hand to the small of her back.
“That’s fine. I have more work to do.”
“I’m sure.” That insinuating tone pisses me off. I lift her out of her seat and onto my lap.
“Your anger is getting on my nerves because you’re being a bit unreasonable. I can’t fire her, but I did tell her I was married, and from now on all messages are to be sent via email.”
“Is that supposed to make me happy?”
“I’m not sure what will make you happy. I’ve pretty much fucked that up since we met. I’ve done my best to fix things, but it’s not enough.” We stare at each other in silence for a few moments, and I have my answer. She didn’t know either. I sit her back in her seat. “Put your seatbelt on.”
“Yes, sir.” She does what I ask and then pulls out her phone, scrolling it while doing her best to ignore me. I do my best to stop from checking her phone activity because I have matters that require my attention, so I focus on that.
We manage to make it to the condo, and I lead her upstairs where I tell Leo to stay put at the front door. “I’m going to deal with a matter. Make sure Mrs. D’Antonio doesn’t leave the property.”
“Yes, Boss.” I get a sickening feeling that I should have just driven her to the estate instead.
Chapter Nineteen
Luca
I head to the isolated location where my special guest is waiting for me. After I listened to her recording earlier, I paid attention to the name of the saved video file so I can easily pull it up when it’s time. I drive my vehicle into the empty, large warehouse garage, closing the steel doors behind me. Then I head to the secret spot where that piece of shit lies on a table ready for me.
