Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“I expect you here in the morning at seven sharp. No later. Coffee on my desk first thing. We’ll spend the first few hours reviewing my agenda and what’s expected of you.” He abruptly stands, causing me to do the same. “I’m a busy man, Miss Evans. Don’t waste my time.”
I find myself nodding vigorously. “Of course. No. I’ll be here.”
He nods. “Is there anything else, Miss Evans?”
I stare back at him, realizing he’s dismissing me. “Oh! No. Nothing. I guess I’ll see you in the morning. How do you take your coffee?”
He looks down at me, and his eyes darken. “Black. With a hint of sweetness.”
I'm not sure what the hell just happened, but it seems I have a new job.
Chapter two
Theo
“You can’t honestly expect me to agree to this. I’m in love with someone. Someone I’m going to ask to marry me.”
“Call it off.”
“Is that a joke? No, I won’t.”
“You will, Theo.”
“You’re asking me to marry someone over a bullshit claim. That shit never happened. I’m not—”
He slams his fist on his desk. “You will. Or you will have nothing. With success comes sacrifice, but with sacrifice comes power. It’s time you prove your loyalty to this family—”
“This is going too far.”
“Don’t stand here and tell me you don’t enjoy everything I have given you. You’ve wanted for nothing. This lavish life you live is because I put you here. This company is my legacy, soon to be yours. You should be more grateful for what I’ve provided for you.” I shake my head. I won’t do this. “Nothing is free. There will always be a price for getting what you want.”
“Not this price.”
“It’s already done. Accept it.” I turn to walk away when his final words tear through me. “Whoever the girl is, break it off, or I will.”
I sit at my desk. What I once thought was fit for a king now feels suffocating and cold. It’s not even seven a.m., and I’m ready to pour myself a bourbon to make this burning in my chest stop—drown all the regret and guilt over the things I’ve had to sacrifice. For this business. For him.
My cell phone rings, and my father’s name lights up the screen. I clench my jaw, fisting my hand on the desk. Inhaling a deep breath, I force myself to calm down, my gaze falling to the paper under my hand. Fay Evans. Petite. Legs that scream to be wrapped around my neck. A smile that woke something inside me.
Theresa was right. She shouldn’t have made it through the screening process, let alone to my office door. Zero qualification and a waste of my time. And I hired her. Pretty sure your dick did the hiring. My dick has no business making decisions like this, especially when I’m unavailable. The best I can do is fire her the second she walks back through that door.
And if she walks in wearing that pencil skirt and smile? Fuck.
I pick up my phone, dialing Theresa’s extension. She can fire her. The phone rings once then goes to her voicemail. I’m about to give her specific instructions when my office door opens.
Alfred Monroe. The fangs behind the bite. The man who still calls the shots even after stepping down from his throne.
I slam the phone down. “Father. I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Good to see you in the office early.”
My nails dig into my palms. “I’m always here early. You know that. What do you want?”
He walks into my office, looking around as if he isn’t already aware of his surroundings. It was his, after all. “Is there something wrong with wanting to see my son?”
“Get to the point. I have a busy day.”
“I have good news.”
Nothing that comes out of this man’s mouth is good. “Did you want me to beg you to tell me? Jump up and down?”
“You’ll be happy to know the merger is in place.”
His news catches me off guard. My expression slips. “When?”
“It’s set to go through in thirty days.” His victorious smile makes my stomach churn. I wipe my face clear of emotion and reach for the file on my desk.
“I’ll believe it when I see it. It’s been in place for five years.” I stall as he tosses an envelope onto my desk. “What is this?”
“As you know, Charles will want to move quickly. I expect your complete cooperation.”
I grab the envelope and open it. My fingers tighten. The contract I signed five years ago. A night I regret with every fiber of my being. My stomach tightens, remembering those images. A lie that portrayed me as a monster. Alfred Monroe stood by those photos instead of believing his only son. He sat there in silence while I signed a contract stating I would marry the daughter of Charles Hill by the time the merger between Monroe Investment Corp and the Hill Group was finalized. I could save my name and keep all my shiny things. Power, prestige, wealth. If I chose wrong, I would have nothing.